I have a yahoo account, which give me access to a children's game called Avatars, which Yahoo takes entirely too seriously. I like playing with virtual paper dolls that sort of look like me. This one is visiting the Grand Canyon. I can change locations easier than clothing, because, you see, in real life I use Wheelchairs and Scooters and Walkers. There are only two sets of clothing for people in chairs at Yahoo. With the Baby Boo Generation speeding toward retirement, we will need more visibility for folks with disabilities! What I'm wearing, and a severe looking blue suit that is not Stephy at all. Even the rainbow boa doesn't help that suit. But in jeans and a shirt, the rainbow boa is just lifesaving color.

The news of the visit with the Foot & Ankle Specialist in Chicago:
In his opinion there is no surgery that will help me, I should go home and get accustomed to the fact that I am only able to walk from my bed to the bathroom and back. I should get used to the pain and get off all pain medication, keep wearing my braces and, my personal favorite, give up all hope of ever walking normally or without pain. Because there is so much nerve damage, I will never be out of pain.

I went there with great hope. I left with great hope. The doctor has the sensitivity of a doorstop, not to insult perfectly good doorstops everywhere. He clearly delights in smashing dreams. My dream of walking will not be so easily crushed. I will keep looking. My primary care physician will, once I get stable again, get me a competent physical therapist, and I will commence learning to walk again!

I invite you all to join me in pride that I did not rip his throat out of his body. I said "Thank you for your opinion. Have a good day."

Right this red hot second, I am going to go to bed. Tomorrow is another day. Sleep helps. Things will be better tomorrow. Let us all think lovely, wonderful thoughts about each other.

Comments:

Ah, Stephy... I admire your tenacity... and your restraint from ripping the quack's throat out. You will prevail!

About your Yahoo account.. I have one, too. I made up a name so that making the avatar with all of the backgrounds, etc... weren't so embarrassing to me!

Thank you all so very much for your kind words!
Thank you and love, Stephy

Mt doctor told me about a surgeon who denied pain-killers to post op hernia patheions -- said they should be strong and bear the pain. He had a hernia operation and now over-[rescribes painkillers after every operation.
my mother was crippled with spinal stenosos. the first surgeon said that as she was 70 it wasnt worth wasting time on such an old person - told her to get used to it. The second surgeon said the opposite and operated. She lived to be 92 and was able to live independently, walk and garden with no further extreme pain. so hang in there, babe!

comment by clovis on July 30, 2008 11:39 PM ()

They should all have some major injury or illness before they get to practice medicine, I suspect. Thank you for the encouraging words, Clovis.

reply by thestephymore on July 31, 2008 1:16 AM ()

His name wouldn't happen to be Dr. Duck would it? I believe they have dropped Bedside Manner 101 from all medical school's curriculum.

comment by nittineedles on July 30, 2008 9:58 AM ()

Actually, his name was Brian Toolin,M.D. amazingly enough, from the University of Chicago Hospital, in Chicago Illinois. USA But hey, he hasn't cornered the market on asswholeean behavior. There are thousands, just like him, out there, practicing medicine when they should be practicing being human beings. Hugs, Stephy.

reply by thestephymore on July 31, 2008 1:21 AM ()

comment by lunarhunk on July 30, 2008 7:42 AM ()

Yippie! What fun. I know it is for children, I just don't care! We cripples get to have fun too! Tee hee.

reply by thestephymore on July 31, 2008 1:22 AM ()

I like the avatar and boa. I really dislike insensitive people, especially working in a health care industry

atta girl. Don't let that quack's opinion disuade you. you can do it.. I wonder if Dr. Doorstop is related to my cardiologist in some way. They have the same personality, it seems

reguards
yer admiring yer courage pal
bugg

comment by honeybugg on July 30, 2008 1:50 AM ()

Oh, Bugg, there are lots of them out there. Me, I'm what's called an "Away-From." Tell me something is impossible, that I can't. And I MUST.
I talked to my physical therapist tonight. he said, and I quote: "Quack, Quack Quack Quack Quack, Quack!" Gave me some flat on my back exercises to start healing my feet & ankles from all the bed rest, and suggested other doctors. God Bless Him. And Thanks for your kind words.

reply by thestephymore on July 31, 2008 1:29 AM ()