I had a talk with my boyfriend last night, and again this morning. He was very supportive and loving. Said that he would be there for me, whatever I decide. And told me not to worry about the financial aspect, that we would figure out a way to make it work. Though it might require belt-tightening for several years.
I think I was just overly-emotional.
Today, I was able to get some test results that I had not seen before. The report from the CT-scan after the discogram.
Quote:
CT of the lumbar spine with multilevel discograms.
Date of Birth: 11/21/1962.
Comparison: none.
Indication: Pain. Status post discogram.
Technique: Multiple axial images through the lumbar spine at the levels
of the discogram. Evaluation is somewhat limited as coronal and sagittal
reformatted images were not obtained.
Findings: Anatomic alignment of the lumbar spine. Preservation of normal
vertebral height. Mild disc height loss best visualized at the L4-L5
level.
L1-2: There is no contrast identified within the disc. There is a small
amount of contrast in the right lateral epidural space, possibly
secondary to an injection.
L2-3: Contrast is isolated to the central disc with a small tract
extending peripherally, likely along the needle tract. Small amount of
gas likely secondary to injection. Small amount of contrast in the right
epidural space. No significant disc bulge.
L3-4: Contrast is isolated to the central disc. No significant disc
bulge. Small amount of gas likely related to the injection. Mild facet
degenerative changes.
L4-5: There are moderate to severe disc degenerative changes of L4-L5
level with disc height loss, osteophyte formation, subchondral sclerosis
and subchondral cystic changes. Contrast is identified within the disc
and extends to the periphery of the moderate circumferential bulge best
visualized left laterally and posteriorly. Mild facet degenerative
changes.
L5-S1: Moderate degenerative changes with disc height loss, osteophyte
formation and subchondral sclerosis. Contrast extends to the periphery of
the mild, circumferential disc bulge. Mild facet degenerative changes.
Impression: CT discogram as above with facet and disc degenerative
changes most pronounced at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels.
I have reviewed the films and concur with the above findings.
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What has me worried, from this report, is the facet degenerative changes seen at L4-L5 and L5-S1. I wonder whether ADR is the best course of action for me.
I have some questions for you guys, but I think I will start a different thread for that.