Lee's Back - An Update

Well Dr. Chen is a MIRACLE WORKER -- when I come back in my next life, I'm going to come back as a spinal muscularskeletal specialist with an additional degree in Medical Acupunture.

I saw him before Thanksgiving, and there I was literally sweating and breathing heavy just to move. Dr. Chen has me move through some motions, fiddles around with my back and my reflexes, and finally says "why are you sweating, it's cold in here?"

And I say, "because it hurts."

And he says, "well that's not a 5-level pain then, that's a 9 or 10"

Anyway, more film to be taken and the 2 days later I'm back standing in his office, because sitting is too painful.

"Good News!" Dr. Chen proclaims. "No Cancer!"

"No Cancer? Cancer? You thought I had cancer?"

"Well sometimes this much pain means a tumor on your spine. But good news is no cancer!"

Holy shit.

Any way, so it turns out I have arthitis that I will need to manage.

And 3 corisone shots (at one time) + 2 acupuncture sessions with 4 to come, lots of ice, and lidocaine later and I am on my way back to a fully-moving body.

Thank you Dr. Chen!

Thank God.

I didn't really realize how limited your acuity becomes when in pain.