At the ER at Beth Israel

As some of you know I've been having some trouble walking. It started about 6 weeks ago. I started using a can - a nice looking one - late last week. MRI 2 weeks ago revealed spinal stenosis. I was referred to a spinal specialist and PT.The spinal specialist I saw yesterday recommended surgery and said if it got worse I should go to the ER. Today it seemed worse. So we showed up here at 4pm; it is midnight now. I am now awaiting more MRIs. The surgeon I saw a while ago seemed to think it might be neurological and surgery was not the answer. When I walked for him it actually seemed a bit better than this morning and Robert rscthought so, too. So we'll see what then next step is sometime tonight.

This a good hospital with a good reputation. And they do have access to my medical records at my HMO.

Lots of waiting - to be booked to taken to a room/bed - to be seen by various doctors and nurses - wait for food - wait for blood to be taken - wait for a glass of water, etc. now waiting for MRIs - they just collected the questionnaire. No metal, pacemakers, etc.

My several other trips to ERs were real emergencies so I got seen sooner. This ER is huge.

I sent Robert home - presumably, if I am not admitted I can stay here until the morning.
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And to top it off we had tickets to the Red Sox / Cubs game. Sox lost. So it doesn't count against our records since we weren't there.

Typing is hard because I have a pulse monitor with a wire attached to my index finger.

Latest medical status

I have been admitted to Beth-Israel. More MRIs on my entire back revealed a cyst at C7-L1 and other arthritic spinal issues. I've been seen, poked, and prodded by many doctors here. The plan is to do surgery on Friday to remove the cyst and on Saturday to fuse some neck vertebrae. Slight chance the Friday surgery will be on Thursday. The consensus is that it is the cyst that is causing the problem. Separate surgeries to avoid being under anesthesia for too long a period of time. And then a few days of recovery. Perhaps some lower back surgery in the future.

Not much pain, just extreme difficulty walking, and much frustration.