9 1 1 "What's your Emergency

Some of you may be aware from a previous blog post titled "Oh No I Can't Get Up" that I visited San Diego, California, due to experiencing pain radiating down my right arm caused by Cervical Radiculopathy. This condition involves a pinched or irritated nerve in the neck, leading to symptoms such as pain, numbness, and even weakness in the neck or arm.

On Saturday morning, upon returning from vacation, I had intended to prepare to help at the 2024 Back to School Shop with a Sheriff. However, my body had other ideas, making it difficult for me to get up. Despite tears, I managed to shower, get dressed, and then headed to the ER. Upon arrival, I checked in and was promptly attended to.

Upon arriving at the emergency room, the doctors were uncertain about the situation and promptly inserted an IV to administer pain relief. Describing my symptoms and previous medical history in San Diego, the doctors opted to conduct an MRI scan. Following the MRI, they consulted with a Neurosurgeon who recommended an additional 4 days of steroid treatment and prescribed more muscle relaxants. Unfortunately, the steroids had adverse effects on both my body and emotions, leading to fluctuating good and bad days. I felt distinctly unlike myself, which was challenging, especially with the added complication of brain fog. Experiencing such a lack of self-identity was truly disheartening.

A few days later, on Tuesday, I had a follow-up appointment with a Neurosurgeon. I went to the appointment with my family, feeling a bit anxious about what would be discussed and the outcome. Upon arrival, I checked in and sat down to fill out the necessary paperwork. As I read through the questions such as "Can you complete daily tasks without a problem?" and "Are you able to hold a book?", I couldn't help but wonder about the nature of this doctor's office. While I knew I could do these tasks, I acknowledged that my right arm was significantly weaker than my left. After completing the questions, I handed in the paperwork and sat there, lost in my thoughts.

Upon hearing "Krystal, follow me", I obediently trailed the nurse back to the room and completed my vitals. Shortly after, the doctor greeted me and asked, "Do you understand why you are here? Do you know what is ailing you?" Internally, I acknowledged it was likely due to a pinched nerve, however, I suspected there might be more to it since I was being referred to a neurosurgeon. The doctor disclosed to both my mother and me that I had a herniated disc in my upper neck (C5/C6) which was the root cause of the pain radiating down my arm. He explained that such injuries require time to heal, particularly at my age, and proposed commencing treatment with conservative measures, such as the steroid regimen and physical therapy I had already begun. A follow-up appointment was scheduled for a 6-week review.

It has been 5 weeks already, and this Saturday will mark 6 weeks since the onset. The level of arm pain has decreased significantly from 85% to just 5%. My second physical therapy session proved to be more challenging than anticipated. The right arm showed signs of inflammation and nerve damage, resulting in a noticeable weakness. I was prescribed exercises to be done at home, including one that involves tucking my chin inwards, creating a less-than-desirable appearance. Despite the initial difficulty, I am committed to performing 30 repetitions of this exercise three times a day. I am gradually feeling stronger and confident that I will regain my full strength, even though it may take some time to achieve.

It can be challenging to comprehend certain events in our lives, and such circumstances may impede our personal development and give us the impression that our lives are coming to an end. We often find ourselves questioning "Why" or believing that our lives are over, but that is not the case. Some things simply require more time than others, a fact I have experienced firsthand. Despite my usual fast-paced lifestyle, I had to take a step back and give myself the time to heal. It's important not to let anxiety and depression overwhelm you, and to remember that you will eventually overcome these challenges. Just like any endeavor, progress starts small, then levels out, progresses uphill, and eventually allows us to conquer the mountain. You will reach your destination.