I found something out at my specialist today…

[DawgsNCowboys87]

My latest update:
So I found out that, in order to do my nearly 4 hours of MRIs with contrast, they’re going to use a local anesthetic and strong pain medication so that I can at least tolerate the mind-boggling pain.

I am afraid the young woman injured my spine pretty bad when I tried to tell her I have my own way of getting in position. MRI’s are nothing new to me just much worse as far as pain and damage to my spine goes.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

I’m sorry as well, after a good many surgeries a man get’s tired of the knife. No matter why or for what. I wish you the absolute best in yours. Praying for you.

Came out ok. No toes now. Spine is a trash of arthritis. MRI of my head came out muddled. Referred to a neurologist, but nothing immediate. I lost count of the surgeries on what is left of my feet, and I have trouble talking now, but I am still ready to ROCK!

 

[DawgsNCowboys87]

That’s the type of attitude it takes to have lots of surgeries and keep going! I’m very pleased to hear you made it through yours, and I’ll be praying for you. If you don’t mind me asking, what is it that caused your health issues? You can PM me if you’d rather, or you don’t have to say at all. Just know you’ll absolutely be in my prayers! I knew exactly what you meant when you said you were tired of the knife, though, as I’ve had so many hernia surgeries, along with a cervical lymphadenectomy to remove extremely swollen and very dark-colored lymph nodes from my neck. At one point, they were worried I had lymphoma. Thank goodness I didn’t. This is going to be my worst surgery by far, even after multiple spinal surgeries, with my last one being literally as large as they get, according to my surgeon team that did my last one at Vanderbilt—all 12-plus hours of it. That’s the thing about ankylosing spondylitis, especially when you have it as aggressively as I do: it just doesn’t give a damn. In just several years, between it and muscular dystrophy, I’m fighting for my life. I’ve had a complete and utter breakdown of my last surgery, and my spine has twisted and become completely wrecked. I doubt I have very long left with as bad as things have gotten now. All I want is to get this monstrosity of a surgery over with and enjoy as much of life as I can. Maybe I’ll get fortunate and live longer than expected. You can talk to me anytime by the way.

 

[DawgsNCowboys87]

Well I can be excited about one thing.. getting to watch our young Men in Maroon and White!! It’s finally here and I’m excited for it at least!

 

[DawgsNCowboys87]

I need to update the thread. I never thought I’d find myself so close to death. I’ve been severely suffering from the inability to urinate. Now this is an incredibly embarrassing issue I’m suffering incontenance of the bowel. However what’s worse is lately my blood-oxygen levels have been running in the 70’s and 80’s. With many results running as low as 64-66. My heart is acting crazy like usual with high heart rate Afib. (Atrial Fibrillation) with a left bundle branch block. Everything but the heart problems are coming from what happens when the foreman is squeezing the heck out of my spine. Especially what the incredibly aggressive version of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Muscular Dystrophy cause. I still haven’t had my 4 hours worth of MRI because my spine is in to bad of shape to lay on my back without a local anesthetic so I can tolerate it (my local hospital doesn’t provide that service). I should already be at the Mayo Clinic letting them do my updated MRI and for surgery but my Fiancé of 15 years is literally about a month or less from having a life changing procedure that completely reverses the spasticity in her legs where she can go right back to not only walking again but being fully independent. I’m trying to see it through, but at the same time worried about dying in my sleep or brain damage at the least. I don’t know how I’ve made it so far especially lately. It’s so embarrassing to say what I’ve just said but it’s only occasional the

 

[tbaydog]

I truly admire your strength and courage through this ordeal... Keep fighting the battles............... Heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

 

[Chile]

Apparently I’m dying. First let me explain what if you have the patience. I have Ankylosing Spondylitis in the worst way at only age 38, along with Muscular Dystrophy. Point is I have been doing just as AS says in the most aggressive cases like my mine, Vascular Disease would be what brings me down. I’ve literally been leaking blood like an oil change out of my mid to lower leg’s below the knee. I’ve battled the 17 out of this disease and although I’m only 38 going on 39 I’m sick of having the largest spinal surgery ever done at Vandy. Now I’ve had a full breakdown of that surgery nevermind the one before that. Of course I’ll keep pushing forward and try to live through the next surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Another 14-16 hour minimum full 20 plus level annular fusion from complete breakdown of my spine already. I’m sorry to complain I just got some pretty devastating news today. You guys have no idea how hard I’ve debated putting this on here. Sorry if it bothers you guys. I absolutely had to get it out.

We are with you, and I hope you feel our prayers.

 

[DawgsNCowboys87]

I truly admire your strength and courage through this ordeal... Keep fighting the battles............... Heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

Thank you so much as it means the world to me I can’t thank you enough truly. I am truly scared to go to sleep. That’s what I’ve been dealing with.

 

[DawgsNCowboys87]

We are with you, and I hope you feel our prayers.

Thank you for sharing such a kind response, my current blood-oxygen rate is 78 percent so it makes me a little scared to go to sleep. However maybe your prayers make all the difference along with mine and the previous poster. Thanks so very much!!

 

[maroontide06]

I need to update the thread. I never thought I’d find myself so close to death. I’ve been severely suffering from the inability to urinate. Now this is an incredibly embarrassing issue I’m suffering incontenance of the bowel. However what’s worse is lately my blood-oxygen levels have been running in the 70’s and 80’s. With many results running as low as 64-66. My heart is acting crazy like usual with high heart rate Afib. (Atrial Fibrillation) with a left bundle branch block. Everything but the heart problems are coming from what happens when the foreman is squeezing the heck out of my spine. Especially what the incredibly aggressive version of Ankylosing Spondylitis and Muscular Dystrophy cause. I still haven’t had my 4 hours worth of MRI because my spine is in to bad of shape to lay on my back without a local anesthetic so I can tolerate it (my local hospital doesn’t provide that service). I should already be at the Mayo Clinic letting them do my updated MRI and for surgery but my Fiancé of 15 years is literally about a month or less from having a life changing procedure that completely reverses the spasticity in her legs where she can go right back to not only walking again but being fully independent. I’m trying to see it through, but at the same time worried about dying in my sleep or brain damage at the least. I don’t know how I’ve made it so far especially lately. It’s so embarrassing to say what I’ve just said but it’s only occasional the

I'll be praying for you. I honestly can't imagine what you are going through, but you are my age and it honestly makes me count my blessings.

 

[skip dog]

hey @DawgsNCowboys87

I've been reading all of your updates this morning, and just want you to know how grateful I am that you shared this information, your diagnosis, your struggles, your changing health battles, and where you are today.

Without a doubt, you are one brave "SumBitch" (**correct spelling for those of us that KNOW Smokey and the Bandit is a cinematic masterpiece)

I want you to know that reading all of your updates made me think the following:
-as men, we all struggle to expose our weaknesses.....you didn't, you shared in a place where you had common community. I'm grateful you reached out.
-no matter what any of us is going through, sometimes others are fighting something even harder......you are fighting a unbelievable health battle, and facing it head on....... We should all learn from your bravery

**where are you currently?**

Look, you have taken the hard hits, and still fighting, and moving forward, and thinking about your fiancé's well being....... that's big time character!

I'm praying for you today, and your relationship with Jesus, and that you know that no matter what the future holds, your life, and sharing of your struggles had meaning, and inspiration, and in everything you have faced in your physical struggle, you have made a difference in mine, and many others lives, and I know that the Good Lord above "sings" over you. God speed my friend

 

[DawgsNCowboys87]

I slept 2 hours and 26 mins and I want each of you to know how grateful I am of your support and kindness. I will write something to each of you later on as I’m going to try and nap a bit. I was hurting to bad to sleep on one side. So now I try the other side. Although all of me hurts crazy bad my spine is so twisted and my rib cage hurts too. Anyways that’s enough complaining that’s to everyone for their support and I couldn’t be more grateful. I will get back to y’all

 

[maroontide06]

I slept 2 hours and 26 mins and I want each of you to know how grateful I am of your support and kindness. I will write something to each of you later on as I’m going to try and nap a bit. I was hurting to bad to sleep on one side. So now I try the other side. Although all of me hurts crazy bad my spine is so twisted and my rib cage hurts too. Anyways that’s enough complaining that’s to everyone for their support and I couldn’t be more grateful. I will get back to y’all

Keep fighting the good fight and keep your faith strong. God can handle this.