I miss you all so much...I'd like to say that first.

I'm just now able to sit and type for short periods of time, and hope to be on for short periods daily. Due to my limitations, I'll still maintain my position but in a limited way. I *will* be able to check PM's again now, though. I'm here and care more than ever.

I'm so blessed to have so many of you caring so much, for me, each other and this community.

Christina, thank you so much for stepping up and helping...without question or hesitation. What a beautiful, giving soul you are.

Many of you know that I've been out for almost 4 weeks now...dealing with miserable pain in left shoulder and arm. It was horrific. By the time I found partial relief, I was sleep deprived and probably heading for a heart attack or stroke with BP. It was through the roof due to the pain, stress from pain and lack of sleep and rest. I couldn't sit...could only pace to get through.

I had a spinal epidural and it gave me about 50% relief, however it felt as though it almost killed me...literally. I felt as though my mind and body went to 40-50% function...my thinking, talking, moving everything was greatly reduced...even vision was really blurry for three days.. The scary thing is that I didn't see it until after it improved, and what I did see I blamed on the pain meds. I realized what had happened when I erupted with thrush and severe facial flushing.

Unfortunately, on a rare outing, a woman pulled out in front of hubby and he had to slam on breaks. It whipped my neck. The next day the pain spread to my chest...full force and as horrible as the first was. It's since calmed to about the level of the other. Pain was a 12 on scale 1-10, but is now about a 5 without meds and a good 1-3 with them depending on position and time of day.

My left leg became involved at one point as well. It didn't want to lift at all. A couple of times my toes drug the floor. It only lasted a few minutes and hasn't happened since, so I pray it won't again. It scared me to death.

I've not been able to sit up and type...at all. Just recently hubby fixed me a table outside that's partially OK to do in a limited fashion so I can be here daily but limited.

I saw the neurosurgeon this past Weds., and I have surgery scheduled for August 12. He's going to be out of the country for a month, but because he's really concerned about the significant weakness in my triceps of left arm, he requested I be put on cancellation list.

I will be having a cervical spine fusion. A bone will be grafted to my vertebrae after the herniations/disks are removed. At that point I'll be in a neck brace for 2-3 weeks and then I should be good to go.

This is going to be a long process because I only want this doctor, so if I can't get in before August, I'm limited for a while. It bites in one respect, but in another I'm just grateful for the relief I have while praying the epidural doesn't wear off too soon because I know I probably can't have another (surgeon said no).

I'm resting alot and the days run one into another. I went through a horrible depression from the steroids, pain levels, being so disabled from it, etc. I've come around now that I've seen the surgeon, the affects of epidural have worn off and pain is manageable. I'm doing better there.

I wanted to let you know that I'm here now in a limited way, as friend, limited admin and supporter of PC.

I love you all and it's so good to see you finally.

KD