09/05/2024
My friends and family, August 1st marked the 1-year anniversary of a completely unexpected chapter in my life. On 8/31/2023, I checked into the hospital with weakness in my arms and legs. A couple of days later, I could not support my weight or walk. Although I told doctors, nurses and techs, that looked into my case, that I had pain in my upper neck and back, the Dr's continued primarily with cardiology tests. Finally, about 3 weeks later, the internist ordered a CT scan of my upper neck. The diagnosis was a Spinal Stenosis in my upper neck/back. Corrective surgery was done on 9/27 and I began recovery.
Already a month, laid up in bed, my leg strength kept deteriorating. Without a clear path to rehab, or the strength to achieve it, no rehab facility would accept me. A case was opened for long term care approval, but it traditionally takes months to approve. In December 2023, the hospital offered me internal rehab. I was released to home on December 29th, four months after being admitted, but able to use a walker. I lost 45 lbs during my stay, which made knee replacement surgery that much closer. :-)
2024 was the opportunity to rebuild my strength with in-home rehab and I was on my way, until my insurance screwed up my recertification paperwork, causing a 2-month lapse in my coverage and my in-home rehab as well. On April 1, finally able to get back to in-home rehab, I continued with my plan, until late April. I once again had to check into the hospital with the same symptoms as in August. After a full battery of MRI's the neurosurgeon found problems, now in my lower back. They did a back injection and sent me back to rehab. A follow-up confirmed that the injection had worn off quickly. A new plan now involved lower back surgery to relieve pressure in my L2 to L5 vertebra and to fuse L4 and L5. I had that surgery done July 19th and back to rehab I went.
I came back home August 2nd and have been struggling with my in-home rehab and increasing my strength. I am able to walk with a walker, but not yet to where I was before the surgery. It's a tough road to hoe, but the only one I have. I will get back to walking, hopefully sooner than later, but as soon as I can. 😎
I apologize that I have only kept a small circle of people in the loop. It's a Mendoza thing. I look forward to getting back to my previous life, including shooting pool 🎱, meeting with clients, family and friends, and handling all my own affairs. And I will get there, believe me. I miss my teams. I miss my Family and Friends. And I miss my life. Look for me soon... Love and miss you all... ❤️
