I was overwhelmed and overjoyed with all the support. Thank you all.
I am finally back home and looking forward to recovery. Its amazing what an experience like this can make one have a reality check. I've learned to appreciate all the "small" things in life. Walking, eating upright, using the bathroom are just some. I can finally use a computer!This all began last year in October 08 when I injured my back.
The pain never went away and earlier this year my doctors took some time in diagnosing my condition. After arguing for an MRI from one of the specialists, we found the problem(s).
They had found two tumors of unknown origin\type.
The largest of the tumors had already grown so large that it was "squishing" a good portion of my nerves that control my legs, sexual\bowel\urinary function. For months I struggled in doing the most basic things in life. Turning my head in one direction would send a stabbing pain down my back and legs.
My doctor warned that I could be left paralyzed if the tumors were left in there and that it was also a risk if I had surgery. Since the tumors were growing the spinal sack and right on the nerves it was going to be tough to separate tumor from nerve. Surgery lasted for 9 hours, it required a majority of my vertebrae to be removed. The bottom of L2, complete L3 & L4, and the top of L5 vertebrae "backs" had to be removed in order to reach the tumors. There wasn't much hope in removing the tumors completely and they thought the smaller one was going to be impossible\risky to get too. Luckily after all that time the surgeon and his crew were able to remove over 95+% of the tumors. What made things even harder was that the tumors had hemorrhaged between the time I had the MRI and surgery. The doctor believed I would continue to have the same pains as before. He believed the tumors had permanently damaged the nerves.
After almost two weeks I am happy to report that the old pains I was having are nearly gone! Amazing is the human body. I am left with pain from surgery and recovery. I lost nearly 20 pounds and I don't even recognize my body anymore. I've lost a majority of muscle\strength. It is a struggle to do the little things in life. I know it will get better with time.
Here is a picture of one of the MRIs showing the largest of the two tumors.
The tumor is greyish "ball" in color along the white sack of the spinal canal.
 Thank you to all who prayed and gave me support these last couple weeks. Its truly amazing what it does for ones soul.
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11:19:30 12/22/09
Hi guys! - 
