When You Get Devastating News That Will Alter Your Way of Life Forever

(Sorry this is a little long, I wrote it as more of a Journal for myself to look back on than anything. Which is why I didn't include any images.)

For those who read my post on Monday, here are the answers. On what is going on with me.


THE RESULTS

My spine and disc's are perfectly fine. In fact the good news is, they look much more healthy and younger looking than they should for my age.

I do have 2 bulging disc's, but they are only minor and most likely not in any relation to the cause of my pain. (I already knew about those from some car accidents I was in, in my youth. They've never bothered me.)

What is wrong? Well the medical term is Hypertrophic Facet Disease. In short, the facet's which are as I understand it the joints between the discs on your spine, that are the cushioning for all your movements your back makes. Well a few of mine are destroyed and degenerating at a very early and fast pace. Then there is a huge amount of arthritis that is building up around them. It's also spread between My L4, L5 and S1 area's.  (Right around my waistline.) Which is why it is effecting me in nearly everything I do right now and causing me such excruciating pain.

Why did my doctors nor myself prior not ever think about facets/arthritis being an issue? Well the truth is, and even my Doctor said it today. I am really too young for this, not only that but he's never see anyone as young as me have it as bad as I have it right now.

Cures? Nope, right now there are no surgical procedures that have shown to be of any benefit. It's not like when you ruin the joints on your knee's and you just get a knee replacement. When the facet joints in your lower back are ruined degenerating and destroying, they are just ruined and it effects much of everything you do for the rest of your life.


WHAT DOES IT MEAN

He told me it's going to alter my quality of life, and I am going to have to learn to live with some pain levels with everything I do. 

He told me if I want a better quality of life, I SHOULD QUIT MY JOB although he said the choice was mine, but obviously if I don't things will get even worse.
Working at a library all the bending/lifting is why mine is so bad right now, and why it's getting worse and worse instead of a little better with the past weeks of treatments I have been on. It is most likely what brought it on.

On the plus side, once I can get the inflammation down and the severity of the arthritis going on right now down. It will be to my benefit to stay and lead an active life, even if it's always going to hurt me more now with everything I do.  Which is a good thing, because I love to run and hike!!!!

For now: Things that stretch or bend my back or force an arch to my back are also a no, no for a while. Prolonged Bike rides, Swimming, Lifting, Yoga, Sit-Ups, some Stretches and Squats are out of the question right now, as they will just make things worse. Possibly they can be introduced later, but not right now.

WHAT IS NEXT

Although there isn't a whole lot that can be done. There are a few things that I started yesterday that he hopes will bring the pain levels down a bit and decrease the inflammation of the arthritis.
If that doesn't work, there are 2 other options we will try.

Looking to the Positive

While there is no cure (yet). The Dr. really does believe because of my youth. Even though right now it is super inflamed and excruciating. That eventually I can get to a point where I can manage it and find a comfortable level of pain to live with daily instead of how it is right now. I will have times where it will flare up and get bad off and on, but most the time more manageable levels of pain.

MY FEELINGS

First, I hate it, all of it!
I am also shocked, I wasn't expecting this of all the possibilities. I really only thought this kind of stuff happened to older people. But then again this is me, and crazy, weird, odd stuff always happen to me so I shouldn't be too surprised.

While, I am glad I do not have any issues with my disc's or spine. I am a girl in her 30's, when you get told that you are going to have to deal with pain on a daily basis for the rest of your life because the joints around your spine are destroyed and damaged. It's discouraging! Especially since I'd like to believe I haven't even hit the half way point of my life.

Not to mention especially, when right now I can barely move at all and when I do, it's beyond painful. I can't imagine right now living like this on some level, it just hurts way to bad.

(Wishful thinking) I was truly hoping for a diagnosis and a cure on Monday. Being in so much pain, and getting the news that I was going to have to live with it. Seriously just brought me to tears. I am so sick and tired of being the girl that keeps getting hit with blow after blow of bad news. When all I want to do is just be active and enjoy life!

QUITTING

On a side note: As of next week, I will have been battling the tendon injuries I received in my left foot 3 years ago from the work injury I got from when I first started working at the library. Finally feeling I was starting to get a grasp on those, to get this news about my back now was a serious much bigger blow.

Knowing now that the library job not only caused my foot injury and now it has also caused this degeneration of my back to come on so badly. I am beyond done with it, I am quitting!

I've said through the years that I was going to quit, and then never did. The truth is, I love my job, I enjoy most the people I worked with, I enjoy being able to travel around to different libraries. Work when I wanted to, where I wanted to. That was why I kept on staying and never left, I was having fun.

But it's taken too much of my life now.  It's now taken away my quality of life for my entire future. So on that note, no more!

What is Next?

Once I get over the emotional part. After hopefully the next 7 days of taking it very easy and no work and the new drug treatment. I hope to have some great news that the pain is starting to ease back into something less and more manageable. (I may take 2 weeks off work, if needed. Whatever it takes!)

I may not be of highest spirits right now, but I can promise you this. Attitude I already know is everything, and I won't let this get to me. It can cause me pain every day, but I am not going to let it ruin what I accomplish in life.  I will find a way to work around it, things will get better. I won't accept anything otherwise.  Oh, and even if it feels like murder or sends me into the deepest pain levels, I will finish my 50 states marathon goal. If anything, it now has me wanting to finish it more than ever before!

19 comments :

  1. Wow. That is very tough news, but you have the right attitude. It sounds like once you get the pain managed and find a less physical job, you will be able to keep running and hiking. Hang in there and feel better!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well DANG IT!! You are the 2nd person this week that has gotten bad news about conditions that have no cure & involve pain. I hate it so much. But you know, its just about adjusting & moving forward in this new life you have... I know it takes some time to wrap your mind around it all. Sending you prayers that the pain eases up & you can start to make clear decisions on your future.
    Side note - I have a hard time doing some yoga moves (like upward dog) because if it arches my back in a backward position, it aggravates my low back so bad... so I get how you have to adjust & cut some things out.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ugh, I am so sorry to hear about the bad news :( I am amazed at the good attitude you've been able to have through all of this and I hope it helps going forward. Quitting the library job sounds like a good first step to things getting better.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wow so sorry to hear about this. I've never really heard of someone so young having issues like this either. I hope some of the new drugs will help you to calm down the pain. I am sure you are angry and feel discouraged as I would too. Nothing to say to really make you feel better but that we are all hear to support you in any way we can. You are a positive energetic woman and I know something new and exciting will come your way. Hang in there friend!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I'm so sorry to hear that you're going through all of this, Kristy. While its great that you finally have some answers for why you've been in so much pain, getting the answers you did of course are far from what you wanted to hear. You've got such a great attitude about all of this though, and I hope for nothing but the best as you work through this.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Michelle@Running with AttitudeMarch 8, 2017 at 6:13 PM

    Oh I am so sorry you're dealing with all of this. You definitely have the right attitude. I really hope the new drug treatment bring you some relief from the pain.

    ReplyDelete
  7. O wow. Hugs to you! I know this is difficult and is causing you so much physical and mental pain. I know you'll be able to get through this. Hang in there and know you have lots of support. Love you girl!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Aughh! :[ I'm so sorry to hear this. :[ I was hoping for a clean-cut diagnosis with a cure as well. I'm really glad you have such a great attitude about it though, because as you said, that makes a world of a difference! I hope the new drug treatment at least helps to lessen the pain a bit! You're going to be able to get your 50-states marathon goal, and I'll be virtually rooting for you every step of the way! <3 Wishing you the very best! <3!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So sorry that this is happening to you. My mom is suffering from the same thing. I didn't read the other comments and they all probably are guiding you tons of good advise but please whatever you do read The Wahls Protocol by Dr. Terry Wahls. I just finished it and it will help you a lot. Promise me you will read it. Blessings to you sweetie.

    ReplyDelete
  10. :( well this is tough news. Like you said attitude is everything and sounds like you are in good hands now. Time to follow doctor's orders and see what they can do to help. Thank you for sharing the news I know it has to be hard! Thinking of you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh no Kristy, I am so sorry to hear that news. It's like you almost wanted a diagnosis of something you could fix! This is going to be tough, have you thought about getting a second opinion? Your attitude is going to be everything during this. Are they recommending physical therapy or is there no use for that? Thinking about you! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  12. Kristy, I'm so sorry to hear this. I can't imagine how devastated you must feel. Can they give you painkillers for it? I totally believe you will complete your 50 goal. Thoughts and prayers for you love!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Damn! Damn! Damn!! I am so sorry to read this!! I can not begin to imagine your devastation right now.
    Rest up my friend. Take good care!

    Sending positive and healing thoughts to you from MD.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am so sad to read this. I hope you can find some way to manage your pain and be able to do the activities you love. It is hard to give up a job you enjoy. Hang in there and keep updating your progress - I agree, you are too young for this!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh Kristy - I am so sad for you right now :( I was so hopeful you were finally going to get treatment to alleviate your pain and fix the problem. I can't even begin to imagine how you felt getting that diagnosis and being told there is no cure.

    I am so impressed with your attitude though and you're absolutely right - attitude is everything. You are a fighter and if anyone can fight through this, it's you. Keep us posted on your progress!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ah so sorry to read this Kristy! I was hoping it would be something easy to fix and alleviate the pain! I hope the new drug treatment helps and the arthritis inflammation decreases. I'm loving your whole attitude. I am so glad you have a positive outlook. Hang in there and stay tough! You will get your goal! Thinking of you and sending healing vibes your way!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks Alysia, I haven't heard of The Wahls Protocol, I will look into it next time I am at the library, thanks for the suggestion!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thanks Katie! Yes, they gave me a medication to help bring the pain and inflammation down and so far its been working, the trick will be to see if it will stay down after I go off them later this week. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers!!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting my blog! I love my readers, feel free to share your comments and opinions!