Week 7 - Rollercoaster Ride continues with increase neck pain

Well its been almost 7 weeks and as you read last week I was feeling real positive about my recovery and future outlook. This week - not so much. I've had neck pain for about a month now. My neck first began hurting about a week after I was home from Germany. I thought it was too much lying down and watching TV at eye level (I was dying to watch all the shows I had TIVO'd while I was gone - all they had in English over there was CNN) so we moved the TV up high like you'd see in a hospital. As the pain continued, I attributed it to the fact that I was walking and doing more so my muscles were overcompensating for my weak low back. As time progresses, this pain is becoming reminiscent of my initial low back pain years ago. It feels discogenic in nature now not muscular. The doctor last week thought it might be nerve related because my arms and hands are still feeling tingling and was too early for MRI which would be the only real diagnostic tool. I start PT on Monday and will continue that until I see the doctor again in exactly a month from now. I am EXTREMELY worried that my neck may have had "bad" discs just "waiting" to "go out". And that the added pressure on my neck has caused that to happen. Last week I talked to my girls about planting a vegetable garden next year, they want a dog which we haven't promised but its in our plans when I feel better, Disney World etc. etc. Now I'm back to thinking that I am going to have to go through this whole process with my neck? Is my life just going to be a long battle with back pain. If so, how am I going to get through it. Although this is not a life threatening condition it is certainly life altering and it REALLY SUCKS.

Dave my husband who has remained postivie thoughout and still continues to believe that I do not have neck degeneration says that he will eat meat during lent next year if my neck has been compromised. We don't attend church or follow any organized religion so now he may lose what little faith he has been holding onto since childhood.

The other thing that is really pissing me off and adding to my misery right now is the insurance process. We spent over $50K to pay for all of this and it is extremely unlikely any of it will be covered. So, on top of recovering and being in pain I have to deal with mounds of red tape, letters to be written, codes to be found, receipts to be sorted through - may of which are in Euros, appeals to make. It is a full time job in itself which my mom is helping with but things are falling through the cracks with both of us working on it. We feel the need to go through the whole, hideous process even though most of my predecessors have not been successful. I probably should delete this post because God Forbid the powers that be at the Insurance Company read anything negative - they'll probably include it in their next denial letter.

On a more positive note, my low back feels pretty good. I sorted through some closets this week and my neck hurt more than my low back. It was sore but not awful.