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Hi folks,
I’ve been asked to leave the forum so this is my final post. I seriously want to apologize to anyone I may have offended while I have posted here. Pam, I’m sorry for my recent post targeting you and further adding fuel to the fire of what has been a string of nasty posts. I think hormones and pain have gone amok. But I want to make one thing perfectly clear. First, I have never used this forum to gossip about another member or smear anyone here through the PM system. No one could ever prove that I have. Second, I have never made up any comments relayed to me by a doctor. Everything I have stated is factual. The doctor (whose name I was demanded to release) said what he said, and I remember leaving his office wondering why anyone would consent to such an awful and risky surgery. In hindsight, what I encountered was a seriously distressed surgeon who experienced his first paralysis victim in what was a long and successful career. I thank those who have pointed out my negativity. I take that as constructive criticism and something I seriously need to work on. I’ve fought depression all my life, and people with this illness tend to look at the glass half empty rather than half full.
Seriously, this forum was a real God send to me when I stumbled upon it almost three years ago. At the time, I felt the collapse of my spine and didn’t know where to turn. God steered me here where I found answers. Linda, I want to thank you for your recommendation of Dr. Gupta when I asked you for any suggestions. I was at the University of Chicago Medical Center all day yesterday having my pre-op work done and then met with Dr. Gupta. He is a wonderful surgeon with such an engaging personality. What a calming spirit he has and just his presence helped to allay my fears. I must share something with you. When it became clear to me that surgery was inevitable, I prayed and asked God to then lead me to the doctor who can best treat me. After seeing Dr. Bridwell, I was convinced he was the one. But then something happened. The very day I returned from St. Louis I received a call from Dr. Gupta’s office. It was his nurse Maria asking me how I’m doing. I met with Dr. Gupta three months earlier. Maria suggested I return to have bending film taken. After I got off the phone, I asked myself if God could be telling me something here. The following month I returned to Dr. Gupta’s office for the bending film. While seated in the waiting area, I prayed and asked for a certain sign before I left the place to let me know if this was the doctor God was leading me to. Well by golly that sign was given to me shortly after I exited the building. God did indeed answer my prayer by telling me there was no need to go to St. Louis for surgery when there’s a great surgeon right here in Chicago who can treat me. All tests are completed now except for a CT-myelogram next week and then it’s surgery on June 23.
I want to wish all of you who have surgeries around the corner all the best for a safe and successful outcome and I will keep you all in my prayers because I DO BELIEVE in the power of prayer. And lastly, I want to thank Karen Ocker who has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration to all of us.
Sincerely,
Chris
P.S. to Marie. Yours was the last post I read and what an eye-opener it was for me. If anyone has a right to feel bitter and angry and sorry for herself, it is you. But instead, what came across in your post is an attitude of gratitude. I thank you tremendously.
I’ve been asked to leave the forum so this is my final post. I seriously want to apologize to anyone I may have offended while I have posted here. Pam, I’m sorry for my recent post targeting you and further adding fuel to the fire of what has been a string of nasty posts. I think hormones and pain have gone amok. But I want to make one thing perfectly clear. First, I have never used this forum to gossip about another member or smear anyone here through the PM system. No one could ever prove that I have. Second, I have never made up any comments relayed to me by a doctor. Everything I have stated is factual. The doctor (whose name I was demanded to release) said what he said, and I remember leaving his office wondering why anyone would consent to such an awful and risky surgery. In hindsight, what I encountered was a seriously distressed surgeon who experienced his first paralysis victim in what was a long and successful career. I thank those who have pointed out my negativity. I take that as constructive criticism and something I seriously need to work on. I’ve fought depression all my life, and people with this illness tend to look at the glass half empty rather than half full.
Seriously, this forum was a real God send to me when I stumbled upon it almost three years ago. At the time, I felt the collapse of my spine and didn’t know where to turn. God steered me here where I found answers. Linda, I want to thank you for your recommendation of Dr. Gupta when I asked you for any suggestions. I was at the University of Chicago Medical Center all day yesterday having my pre-op work done and then met with Dr. Gupta. He is a wonderful surgeon with such an engaging personality. What a calming spirit he has and just his presence helped to allay my fears. I must share something with you. When it became clear to me that surgery was inevitable, I prayed and asked God to then lead me to the doctor who can best treat me. After seeing Dr. Bridwell, I was convinced he was the one. But then something happened. The very day I returned from St. Louis I received a call from Dr. Gupta’s office. It was his nurse Maria asking me how I’m doing. I met with Dr. Gupta three months earlier. Maria suggested I return to have bending film taken. After I got off the phone, I asked myself if God could be telling me something here. The following month I returned to Dr. Gupta’s office for the bending film. While seated in the waiting area, I prayed and asked for a certain sign before I left the place to let me know if this was the doctor God was leading me to. Well by golly that sign was given to me shortly after I exited the building. God did indeed answer my prayer by telling me there was no need to go to St. Louis for surgery when there’s a great surgeon right here in Chicago who can treat me. All tests are completed now except for a CT-myelogram next week and then it’s surgery on June 23.
I want to wish all of you who have surgeries around the corner all the best for a safe and successful outcome and I will keep you all in my prayers because I DO BELIEVE in the power of prayer. And lastly, I want to thank Karen Ocker who has been a constant source of encouragement and inspiration to all of us.
Sincerely,
Chris
P.S. to Marie. Yours was the last post I read and what an eye-opener it was for me. If anyone has a right to feel bitter and angry and sorry for herself, it is you. But instead, what came across in your post is an attitude of gratitude. I thank you tremendously.
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