more testing...

Well, yesterday I received my first steroid spinal injection right in the base of my neck. The procedure went quickly, and while it was uncomfortable, pain has become a somewhat relative term of my vocabulary, and comparatively speaking,  it was not that bad. My doctor was disappointed by the lack of strength in my arm, and I was disappointed by his reaction, because I honestly thought I was doing a tiny bit better. He ordered an electromyogram, which was done today by a neurologist today, and if you have no idea what this test is, just picture my arm and neck as human pin cushions, and that helps paint the scene. Once the 3 inch needles were inserted 1/2 to 3 inches deep, he would have me flex that muscle, with the needle in it, and the screen would read electrical response, or lack thereof. This is to test central nerve damage or neuropathies related to pinched nerves, carpel tunnel, or random reason... like mine. Today he saw nothing overly worrisome, but he said it takes up to 3 weeks for true dysfunction to show, so we will be repeating it then, and today's would give us a baseline. One thing interesting he mentioned was that I had an elevated scapula, which I have been going to a chiropractor for, but he thinks I may not have proper nerve function innervating my latissimus dorsi muscle (under your scapula), and this may lead to the overall weakness I have been having with my left shoulder, which could explain a lot. So I will see him in 3 weeks for a repeat electromyogram and testing of the latissimus dorsi muscle, and we will go from there... that said, I am hoping to be back to work/driving by then. Emilia has really wanted to go to testings with me all week, but since most have been radiology procedures, I have had to be in them by myself. This has made her very sad, and so she asked to go to my appointment today with me, and the neurologist actually let her stay throughout the procedure. She was brave, and was a good little support person, although she actually only watched the 1st couple needles be inserted, and then when she saw it was not hurting me, she finished coloring her picture. So the game plan for now is to wait until Monday for my next steroid injection, and then I am hoping to be released to go back to clinicals if my arm continues to improve. The most exciting news was that when I woke up this morning, I could actually feel most or part of all my fingers on my left hand, which I think is really encouraging since they said it will take 3 days for the steroid to take full effect. In the meantime I will obey the doctors orders and rest, and pray for continued improvement.