Okay, so we finally know everything (so far) that is wrong with Jonathan's back. We knew before his fatty tumors had come back (four this time instead of two) and that he has arthritus in the same place as the fatty tumors. His back started hurting more so Jonathan went back to the Dr. to get a referal to a specialist. He went and had an ex-ray and the Dr. thought he may have a slipped disc. He ordered a MRI. Jonathan went today to find out what it showed. I am kicking myself now for not going. I just assumed the MRI would show everything we already knew and maybe a slipped disc. I was so wrong! The Dr. told Jonathan he has hemangioma?!?! He said it was a rare find. Jonathan said the Dr. had to explain it to him about eight times. This is what Jonathan got from it; it is a large grouping of blood veins that have formed a tumor on his spine that can cause excrusiating pain at times and other times you can seem just fine. The good news no surgery, and it won't get any worse than it already is. The bad news there is nothing that can be done about it except for pain meds. He also told him the two lower lumbar discs are thinning this means they are on the path to slipping (I think). He also said that this has no connection to any of the other random things wrong with his back. So that's where we are right now. Jonathan is kinda relieved to know he isn't crazy. I am confused. I tried to call his regular Dr. so he could explain it to me and answer some questions, but I think he is out this week. I am still trying to decide if this is good news or bad news. This picture is just one of the many things Jonathan has been willing to try (some things he is still unwilling to try YOGA) to help relieve his back pain. Needless to say it didn't help.
3 comments:
Glad to hear you all finally have some answers. I guess we will have to stop making fun of Jon when he complains about his back, he actually has a reason. Wish he could do something about it, but it sounds like the doctor doesn't give him any alternatives other than pain medicines. Will he have to have the tumors removed this time or will they just watch them?
We will be up all weekend long and we look forward to spending some time will all of you!!
I think he will have to have them removed eventually. He doesn't want to but they just keep getting bigger. If he waits too long when they do take them out he will have big dips in his back where they were.
Me, being me, did some research online about this. Some other options besides surgery that other people have done are radiation and steroids. Most sites said it is rare for an adult to have this and 80% is usually on your neck or face and generally shows as a purple "birthmark". I will tell more at Thanksgiving.
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