My name is John and I have peripheral neuropathy. This bony gentleman isn't afraid to bare his spine and neither was I. So let me share my personal experience with a lumbar puncture (affectionately known as an LP).
Never in my life would I have considered that I might be tapped to share a generous portion of my cerebral spinal fluid to allow vital tests to be run. But that's what the doctor ordered. And I couldn't avoid it.
Honestly, I worked up the situation in my head to be a horror film kind of encounter. You know -- after much struggle and screaming, I would be strapped to a table and then someone would shove a needle into my spine. This, of course, would paralyze me while the unsavory locals stole my wallet, walker, and water bottle.
But it turned out to be a much more banal experience. I was rolled from one room to another way down the hall and then had to roll from one bed to another. After that I tried to get comfortable on my stomach as my back was prepared for a sharp needle to be jabbed into my ventricle to reclaim the clear substance. After the test I had to roll back from the exam bed to my gurney. Lots of rolling around for someone who had trouble even walking. But I managed. What were we looking for? If my protein level was high that would tip me into "not good" category. 'Nuff said.
What are some tough things that you do every day? How do you get past the pain to productivity? Read more at Let's Talk about Saying "Owww!" After the test I enjoyed nibbling cheddar cheese and Chex mix and watching Friends re-runs. An expensive but still romantic date with my sweet supportive wife.
Often the only way to get the test results is to walk boldly through the dreaded Lumbar Puncture Door. Or some other such obstacle. How often do we find ourselves encountering such moments? Literal doorways into the unknown. Read more at Let's Talk about Changes. These are scary times when we have to do something we'd rather not do (read "are terrified of doing!") because it's the only way to get from point A to point B.
To maybe find out what's really wrong. Of course, we can pause indefinitely or we can get on with it. Sometimes it's hard to make the choice. Read more about my neuropathy journey at Let Me Introduce Myself.
I hope that whatever challenge is on your horizon for today you find the strength and courage to do what needs to be done. To ask the questions that need to be asked. Even if you'd rather do just about anything else. What was the toughest decision you had to make today? And what do you need to do decide on tomorrow? Let's talk.
Thanks for listening.
John
P.S. If you'd like to follow my Life with Neuropathy blog, visit lifewithneuropathy.blogspot.com. Find the three lines next to the search button in the upper right hand corner. Then click follow. You'll be notified of my future blogs.
Thanks, Matthew, for the awesome image. Photo by https://unsplash.com/@matthewschwartz
Comments
Post a Comment