Today Hubby will be finding out the results of his tests and if the doctors can do anything to fix all the damage. We feel like we already know the answer so we are dreading this appointment. We looked at the disk from his bone density scan that shows severe risk of fracture in his spine and in his femur bones. So... This appointment is the deciding factor on if he moves on with disability. Which is probably what will happen. I know God has a plan in all of this and I trust him. Waiting to see what he will do in our lives. It's hard but we are trying to stay optimistic. Some days it's like a huge cloud is over us and we can't get away from it, other days the son shines through the clouds and we can feel God's warmth. Thank you for your continued prayers!! They have meant so much to us.
Well, it's NOT good.. Basically, there is NOTHING they can do to reverse the damage. He has literally fractured every single vertebra in his T-spine and has several bulging disks in his neck.. Absolutely NO surgery for him. Dr is discussing taking him off his pain meds and placing a moraphine pump into his spine. She said it's only going to get worse. Disability is advised. Also he has to start aggressive treatment for the bone loss soon. Being that there is no reason for him to have such bone loss they are screening him for cancer.. We are heartbroken and don't really know WHAT to think at this point. Hubby said he has a feeling that this is going to get very bad.. Said he thinks maybe he does have cancer.. (((sigh))) Another page to our Testimony and GOD WILL GET THE GLORY!! NO MATTER WHAT THE OUTCOME! I DO trust Him!!
(((((((((((((((((((((((HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))) My heart is breaking for you and your family!!!! I will pray for you all daily, please keep us updated with your hubbys health.
Oh man. That is some tough news. Mommix, does hubby have hyperthyroidism, or a prolonged history of using corticosteroids? Both of these things can be causes of bone loss and multiple spinal fractures. Do you happen to know if they're testing his thyroid? Cancer is a possibility too...I have been reluctant to express concern about this since you've had so little solid information. Multiple myeloma came to mind. Have they mentioned that as a possibility? Regardless of what you discover, getting a solid diagnosis is going to help you move forward. Getting him started on treating the bone loss as soon as possible is so important. Just start making tiny steps forward any way you can. Many people are freaked out by the idea of a spinal morphine pump....but it could drastically improve his quality of life. If he could get the pain under control without the side effects of oral meds...he could feel so much more like himself and be in a better frame of mind to move forward with treatment options. It might be a serious blessing for him. Mommix, may I ask how old your husband is, and how long ago his back pain became severe? Praying for you all.
Hubby will be 38 next month and he was diagnosed with osteoporosis at the age of 33, but the pain started before that. This has been going on for about 8 years now.. Cancer has always been a concern to both of us, but the doctors didn't seem worried so we just let it go.. Guess we should have pushed them to do blood work. In all of this, they never did ANY blood work until this last go around. No insurance and they wouldn't give us any assistance anywhere so we couldn't afford it anyway. This last go around cost us almost $5000 because we didn't have insurance and this was at a 30% discount because we paid it in full. Someone stepped up and paid it for us or that wouldn't have happened.. I'm beyond frustrated and feel like if we had been taken care of like we needed in the beginning we wouldn't be where we are now. BTW he lost TWELVE pounds in the last two weeks.. Before all this happened he was 6'3" now he's a little bit shorter than me and I'm 5'3".
Praying for your husband and all your family. You are a strong woman. Your faith is amazing. Proud of you.
Mommix...The weight loss could be cancer related, but it also might be pain med related. When you're taking that much pain medication (poor man!) it can do a serious number on your digestion. When I was taking a lot of pain meds, I was so constipated it made me too sick to eat. I lost a lot of weight, too. Not trying to give you false hope, but just remember that you don't know what is causing the osteoporosis at this point. I know the waiting is terrible....but wait for the facts before jumping to conclusions on the cause and the prognosis. Hoping and praying for good treatment options, and rapid progress with his disability claim. Please see a medical social worker...they might be able to help you push things through faster. Praying for you all. PS...sorry, I'd originally said hypothyroidism could be part of the problem....I meant to say hyperthyroidism. Too much thyroid can contribute to osteo in younger people.
Starting Fortao (sp) for the bone loss soon. It's on the way now. Talked to the disability department and was pointed in the direction we need to go to get that going. We were also referred to lawyers to help speed up the process. ((sigh)) Still waiting on the referral to the pain specialist and an endocrinologist. He starts the 24 hour urine test in the morning.. It's been a hecktic day.. Glad Hubby took care of all that and I didn't have to!! Emotional day for hubby and for me. I didn't want anyone asking me how I was but of course they did. I held it in until they said something than I cried like a baby. :/ After my breakdown, I took 60 kids swimming then was told that they are trying to open a job for me so my job won't end in August.. Still up in the air though. Along with a million other things. Was told about a job in case this one falls through. went to bible study and got prayed for by my church family and then treated to frozen yogurt at the new FROYO place here in town. IT WAS YUMMY!!!!!! It was an exhausting, emotional, supportive day.. SO nice to know that you are loved and needed and prayed for! Hoping that the test results come back soon so we can rest and know that it's NOT cancer.. Been there done that.. Lost my mom when she was only 48 years old to cancer, So this is reminding me of those times and struggles. Don't like it one bit!!! I don't know if I can go through that again.. I was in a deep depression for almost 2 years. My youngest child was only 2 months old when mom died, so the first two years are a blur. We found her baby book and NOTHING is written in it and I can't remember anything to go back and fill it in.. ((sigh))
Mommi, I don't even know what to say, except that I'm with you in spirit, trying to hold you up in prayer.
Mommix, really glad things are starting to move forward. Very scary times, but I'm glad to hear you're getting lots of support and finally getting some help and some answers. So glad he's seeing an endocrinologist. A lot of osteoporosis can be linked to thyroid and parathyroid issues....many of which are very treatable. Praying for you all.
