It’s now the one-year anniversary of my Tarlov Cyst operation on 11th Sept 2009!

It has been a long and painful journey for me.

I first noticed that something was wrong in 1996 when I developed neck pain. My US doctor prescribed Soma, a muscle relaxant, and most of the pain went away, only to increase over time and travel down to the lower back.

I now wonder why this doctor did not try to diagnose the problem?

Finally, the pain got so bad that in 2003 I decided to see another doctor, Dr. Mark Rubin, in Phoenix, Arizona. His treatment was to give me steroid shots in the neck. They worked, and the pain in my neck disappeared—but not completely—and not for long.

By 2007, I was developing severe pains at the base of my spine. I was existing on Motrin, Aleve—anything I could find at Walgreen’s or CVS Pharmacy, including the wonderful Capsicum Pain relief roll-on, which I used all the time for my lower back.

On July 24, 2007, I went back to Dr. Mark Rubin, who had given me the steroid shots in the neck. He suggested that I get an MRI, which I did on the very next day. It was done by SimonMed, who bills themselves as “the largest and most advanced medical imaging provider in the Southwest.”

Back at Dr. Mark Rubin’s office, his assistant, who looked like a dud, checked the MRI in front of us, and had nothing to say. I have no idea if Dr. Rubin, himself, ever saw the MRI.

In any event, Dr. Rubin’s solution to the problem was to give me a series of four steroid injections into my lower spine for a cost of $4,100. This was at our personal expense as we were not insured.

Dr. Rubin’s spinal steroid injections relieved the pain for about three months—then it increased.

From that point on, I took whatever I could to relieve the pain. By the middle of 2009, were living in Mexicali, and I was taking steroid pills for the excruciating back pain—pills which caused me to bloat up like a balloon.

By September of 2009, I had hit rock bottom, I was hopping around on my right leg, and using a cane to support my left leg which suffered from an intense pain which radiated down my leg from the base of my spine.

On September 3, 2009, I scheduled an appointment with a specialist in Mexicali, Mexico—Dr Carlos Maya.

Dr. Maya immediately prescribed an MRI which was done the next day, September 4, 2009, at Resonancia Magnetica in Mexicali.

The Mexicali MRI technician reported that I had a Tarlov cyst at the base of my spine!

Luckily, we had saved my old 2007 MRI from SimonMed. On it, the L3, L4, and L5 vertebrae were marked with circles indicating a possible herniated disk between L3 and L4.

What SimonMed failed to notice was something much more important – a Tarlov cyst (see the red arrow)!

With Dr. Maya’s explanation, even Jim and I could see the Tarlov cyst clearly on the old SimonMed 2007 MRI!

On the frame immediately to the right of where SimonMed marked the vertebrae, is a light oblong area – that is the Tarlov cyst – plain for anyone to see.

SimonMed had not marked it!

Thank God we came to Mexicali, and found a competent doctor, and an MRI service that was able to interpret their own MRIs—something that the expensive Dr. Rubin, and SimonMed were apparently unable to do—or did they even give a damn?

I can imagine how the actor Michael Douglas must feel, after numerous visits to his own US doctors who failed to diagnose the tumor in his throat! Michael Douglas, I am sure, gets the best medical care anyone can afford. How do you like that? No wonder his wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones was furious! We pray that he will make a full recovery.

On September 11, 2009, I had a three-hour long surgery conducted by Dr. Maya with a neurosurgeon in attendance. They found not one, but two Tarlov cysts which they drained and treated. It was near my S1 spinal nerve.

I woke up from the operation with NO PAIN at all!  How mind-boggling and awesome is that?

The lower back had gone away completely!

Now came the difficult part—the post-op!  Dr. Maya ordered bed rest for four weeks to avoid scar tissue, and I obeyed.

This was unlike a certain US surgeon who “specializes” in Tarlov cysts, and who dopes his patients up with addicting Vicodin, and lets them move around immediately after the operation – generating scar tissue. I guess he wants to operate on them again (and again), or charge them for prescribing more opiates to feed their habit.

I was very lucky to have moved to Mexicali, and lucky to get the right surgeon, Dr Carlos Maya.

Who says medical care in the US is good? It is my Constitutional opinion that SimonMed didn’t do the job, and neither did the very expensive Dr. Mark Rubin.

With Jim’s fantastic dedication and help, the wounds from my operation healed completely.  There were ups and downs, but the trend was always up.

One year after my Tarlov cyst surgery, I can walk without a cane, pain-free. I know that my S1 nerve will take time to regenerate. I don’t put a lot pressure on my left foot, and avoid carrying five pounds of anything!

I still cannot walk around a huge place like Wal-Mart and look for items, or stand for long periods of time, as the pressure gets to my S1 nerve. It’s not pain, just nerve discomfort coming from the S1 nerve that I feel now.

My current doctor, Martina Gallardo, a brilliant lady doctor in Mexicali (of course) has given me a clean bill of health.

She pressed every inch of my scar and spine, no pain…yeh! Dr Martina wants me to do simple leg lift exercises to strengthen my thigh muscles. I do them every night and it’s making a big difference. Hey, if it means I get slimmer thighs, then I’m there, with Jane Fonda!

These are very simple leg exercises; not the active physical therapy often recommended in the US which can only damage you after Tarlov surgery.

That’s where I am right now. I am not on any opiates; I still take my Lyrica, and Soma daily, along with Aleve or Motrin, when I need them.

I will continue to blog about it.

My last Tarlov cyst recovery report to you was on 14th of June 2010. I am now in my 11th month post-op Tarlov cyst surgery now and taking Lyrica and Soma.

In the past I took care of our cat, Twiggy, by shaving her. For a while after the operation, I could not really take care of Twiggy—now I can. For a long period, I was shaving away her hair, and cleaning her everyday. This routine stopped when I got too ill, was in pain and could not walk.

Twiggy is a Ragdoll breed of cat. She has a long body, short legs and long fur. Ragdoll cats are known for having dog-like personalities. That’s my Twiggy. She will follow Jim around, and even step on his foot, to get his attention, while giving out a big “meow.”

Twiggy also has a bad temper. She does not tolerate strangers. Twiggy is a huge and heavy cat, as are most Ragdolls and weighs about 20 pounds. With her long body and short legs it is impossible for her to clean herself.

When I got really ill, Twiggy usually got an infection. Our wonderful super veterinarian, Dr Rafael Minero in Mexicali would put her to sleep (temporarily) while his nurses clipped and cleaned away her fur and infection.

Now that I am much better, I got the clippers and pinned Twiggy down with my left leg, while sitting slightly bent over on the kitchen floor. I managed to shave her just halfway and gave Twiggy a thorough cleaning. It took me a good 30 minutes to complete this task. Twiggy ran off immediately and I sat on the kitchen floor with my leg left extended out.

After I had finished, I got up and my left leg was numb. Now that was an interesting moment!

After I sat down on the sofa, my left leg came back to normal within 15 to 20 minutes. I told Jim about it.

“Well, MaryAnn, you’ve been bending over cleaning Twiggy for a good half hour. I’m sure that triggered off your S1 nerve!” said Jim.

So, anytime my S1 nerve is shaken or stirred my left leg is affected.

These Tarlov cysts love the spinal cord and reside along the S1 to S5 nerves at the base of the spine. After Tarlov cyst surgery, one has to allow the affected nerves to heal and to calm down.

Physical therapy on any Tarlov Cyst survivor is not good idea. So, I just take short walks for exercise.

In the U.S. where Vicondin and other opiate drugs are popular, those who have had the operation feel great, when they really aren’t. They can let themselves move around and exercise too much – and the result can be lifelong pain, and more operations.

In Mexico, Vicodin and similar opiate drugs like codeine, hydrocodone, and the current favorite OxyContin are unknown. Oxycontin is approximately 1.5-2 times as potent as morphine when administered orally. These drugs essentially generate morphine in your system and are addictive.

Insofar as Tarlov cyst operations go I think I am as good as it gets. I will continue to keep everyone posted.

God Bless!

Just a quick update on my tarlov cyst recovery.

When I was able to sit after my Tarlov cyst operation, I always had a small cushion on my lower back. I would do the same in the car, or when watching TV.

Only a week ago, I felt my spinal cord nerve was hurting me. Was I going backwards?

So, to fix myself up, I brought out my well-used tube of Capzasin pain relief crème—real stingy stuff which I used all the time, when I still had my Tarlov cysts. I applied it down my spine. Oh dear, it really burnt!  I had no idea that Capzasin ointment was so strong? I felt pain in my spinal cord nerve.

I freaked and called out to Jim, “Jim, what’s wrong? Why is it so tender around my spinal chord?—help!”

I lay flat on the bed, chest down, while Jim prodded my spine.

“Here? Is this where the pain is?” asked Jim.

“Yes . . . right there!” I said.

“I see some ointment, Maryann . . . what in tarnation are you doing with your back?” said Jim

“I had some discomfort on my spine, so I rubbed some Capzasin pain reliever on it, and now it’s worse! What’s happening?”

“Stop with the Capzasin pain thing, that’s real strong stuff,” said Jim.

“Are you still using the little pillow for your back?” he asked.

“Well, yes.”

“Well, stop, using that pillow; I think it’s putting pressure on the nerves just where they come out of the spinal chord,” said Jim calmly.

I stopped using my trusty little back pillow, and within two days, I began to feel great!

“Jim, I was using my little pillow when I was sitting up to prop up my lower back,” I said, “and now that I’ve stopped using it, I feel fantastic—no nerve pain!”

“Looks like the pillow was pushing against the S1 nerve right where it comes out of the spinal chord, and now that you are getting better-you don’t need that pillow no more!” Jim said

Well, now, no more little pillows to prop up my lower back.  The nerve pain is gone and I am doing fine. How about that?

Nine months post-op, and things begin to change.  Day by day, I can feel the tender area around my incision getting smaller, as I get better and better.

I am walking pain-free, and my medications are Lyrica and Soma.

My back, which needed propping up, now no longer requires it.

For showers, I have my chair to sit on. I use liquid soap and a small towel and am careful, real careful, not to slip.

Who’s a better doctor than my Jim?

My last Tarlov cyst recovery post was made on February 14, 2010. I am now nine months into recovery.

So here’s what’s happening. I can walk PAINFREE, but I can’t run down the street.

I walked as fast as I could when Jim called me out of our bedroom when the 7.2 earthquake hit Mexicali. I reckon for living in an earthquake zone, I am doing pretty well.

I am now writing this, sitting in an office chair, no longer having to limit myself to my reclining armchair. There is no longer any pain in my tailbone area now – no more using the seat cushion!

Jim and I take turns preparing meals. Before it was only Jim.  Matthew looked after our pets.

I used to have a bar stool to sit on while stirring the pot over the stove. No need for that anymore! Now, I can stand and prepare meals, just like I used to.

What I can’t do, are work-outs or exercises. So I don’t really work up a sweat the way I like to.

But we’ll will wait and see. I can even fix up my hair, and put on my make-up.

(At Sinapsis Cafe, the girls were really sweet, and loved my eye-make up!  Most Mexican women wear makeup all the time, and they are all just beautiful. I guess that’s the Latin way.)

I am still watching my recovery from my Tarlov cyst surgery very closely. I can sit anywhere now. I even rolled over in our bed to give Jim a hug about a month ago, but that showed me that I was still in recovery.

I could feel the healing area around the operation site getting smaller, like a shrinking circle! As each month goes by, the circle gets smaller.

After the operation Dr. Carlos Maya gave me a prescription for three antibiotic shots.

Several months later, the area around and under the incision still didn’t feel right.

I told Jim who said, “‘MaryAnn, you probably have a staph infection?”

“How do you know about staph infections?” I asked.

“Must’a read it somewheres,” said Jim. “Look MaryAnn, staph infections are all around, and you still have that inflamed nerve,” Jim said firmly.

He continued, “Here’s what we’re gonna do. I have the name of an antibiotic; it’s real strong, so let’s giddyup down to Mas Barata, and get it.”

“OK. Is it pills I should be taking?”

“Nope, shots” said Jim.

We took off to La Farmacia Mas Barata immediately. I sat in the truck, while Jim, who speaks Spanish, went in and talked to a smart looking lady behind the counter. They checked over a medical book, and, in no time, Jim came out with a bagful of stuff and said, “Right, here’s what we need to clear up any darn staph infection, Maryann. They call it Trixona, here in Mexico.”

“Just in case Hon; we wanna make sure that every base is covered,” said Jim as we headed to the Sanatorio Santa Monica, a small hospital in our neighborhood.

There, the nurse will give you a shot for only 30 pesos ($2.50).

In Mexicali, an ampule for a one gram shot of Trixona (ceftriaxone), the antibiotic Jim decided on, costs 120 pesos ($9.60).

For the first seven days, Jim decided on one gram each day. For the second week, it was two grams, each day.

This was a big shot and was given with a large syringe. For the 14 day treatment, I changed sides on my buttocks for each jab.

The cost of the entire treatment came to a total of $201.60 for the antibiotics. Combined with $35 for the hospital shots brought the total to $236.60. And no doctor fees!

In the US, such a treatment for a staph infection would cost a fortune!

From the first shot, I could feel something going on; some of the pain and inflammation from the incision site was going away. It just got better with each shot, and by the end of Jim’s treatment, I felt a huge improvement.

“Hon, as I suspected, you probably had a staph infection,” said Jim.

“Jim, I think you were right – I feel so much better now,” I said. “How did you figure that out, and how did you decide on ceftriaxone?” I asked.

“Twarant nothin, just a little research with Dr. Internet,” answered Jim. “Look,” he continued, “all a doctor can do is either slice you up with an operation or give you a prescription – in Mexico, you can do your own prescriptions – no doctor needed.”

My Jim can be so brilliant!

I put myself back on Lyrica and Soma.

My decision. I don’t need a doctor or his prescription to tell me what to do, at this point in the game.

Lyrica helps with the nerve recovery and the Soma helps to relax the muscles.

Of course I pace myself. When I overdo errands, I do get very tired and find I have to rest up for one full day.

It takes us one and half hours to cross over to the US town of Calexico because of the line going through US Customs and Border Patrol.

In Calexico, we usually check our mail, and then go off to Denny’s for a great breakfast. Jim and Matthew always order the Grand Slam breakfast, and I make it a point to eat more proteins, and less carbs. So I order a double bacon and cheese burger, with french fries a dill pickle, followed by a large chocolate milkshake! A treat for me!

The less weight I carry, the less pressure on my spine. I had really taken my spine for granted during the last 40 years of my life, lifting, running, falling down. At one point, I started to wonder what might have caused my Tarlov cyst. I recalled that some years ago, I had knocked the back of my head really hard. At the time, I thought to myself, “Oops, I hope I’m OK!”‘ Well, I think that may have been part of the cause of my getting two Tarlov cysts.

I do get into a funk, of course!  Many times, when I wake up, I think I can just run up to the bathroom, run out and do errands so quickly, and now, after the Tarlov cyst surgery, I can’t do that.  That gets me very down. I can’t hike, play tennis or tango right now. I hope I can get to the point where I can move fast enough to play some tennis with Jim.

That’s the frustrating issue I face everyday as a Tarlov cyst survivor. However, I am pleased with my 9 month recovery, and Jim says he can see almost daily improvements in the way I walk.

When we last went to Denny’s, Jim and Matthew were very surprised to see me slide out of the truck and walk, with no signs of a limp. “You’re walkin like normal, MaryAnn! I’m impressed!” said Jim. So there is good news for all Tarlovians who are angry and frustrated.

Give the healing time! Be patient (and watch out for post-op infections).

Yes, thank the Lord, I am doing very well – no pain medications needed.  I will continue to keep all my Internet friends posted on my recovery.

After my September 2009 back surgery on my two Tarlov cysts, I had mandatory bed rest, ordered by my doctor, for a solid four weeks. After another two months, my incision had completely healed, on December 11, 2009 – exactly three months after my operation.

I was walking, pain free. Jim, Matthew and I made frequent trips across the border to Calexico to do our shopping, collect our mail, and drive on to El Centro to eat at Denny’s in the El Centro mall. The mall is where we buy our dog and cat food at Petco.

Life was wonderful.

However, on Monday, January 4, 2010, I suffered a temporary setback.

I found it difficult to get out of bed as my left leg felt a bit numb! Well, I totally freaked out.

That very Monday evening, Jim and I were at Dr. Carlos Maya’s office, anxiously waiting for him. When it was our turn, I rushed into Dr. Maya’s office, hopping on my right leg.

“Dr. Maya hola! You have to help me! This morning my left leg went a bit numb! What has happened? Everything was fine?’ I wailed.

“What have you been doing MaryAnn? Have you been exercising?” asked Dr. Maya.

“Well yes, I was doing some Jane Fonda exercises, you know, lifting up my legs, while lying on my bed; lifting up my butt, while lying on my bed, you know,” I said.

“Then Jim had a muscle spasm on Christmas Day. He was in so much pain that I had to drive him to the Emergency Room at the Hospital Almater on Avenue Madero. I dropped him off; parked the truck, and walked to the Emergency Room where I helped Jim find the patients’ waiting room.”

Dr. Maya nodded.

I continued, “Jim got to see the doctor immediately, who gave us a prescription. We walked across the road to the Almater Pharmacy to get the prescription which included an injection. Back at the hospital Jim got his shot, and then we went home.”

“I helped Jim, who could barely walk, to bed; did the dishes; walked our dog; cleaned the cat litter, and Matthew helped clean the house and cooked the food…other than that…nothing much,” I moaned.

Dr. Maya smiled and turned to Jim, “Jim, now you need help yes? and on Christmas Day as well?”

“Twaren’t nothin,” said Jim.

Dr. Maya nodded and said, “Let’s go, MaryAnn, stand against the wall, and put your hands against it. Now I am going to press on your spine, you tell me if there is pain, OK?” said Dr. Maya.

I complied. Dr. Maya pressed against each disc on my spine. “Pain?” he asked. “No,” I said.

“Now lie on the couch, face up, face up – OK? I am going to lift each leg up and you tell me if there is pain.” said Dr Maya.

Dr. Maya lifted up my right leg, and yanked it around. “Pain?” “No,” I said.

He then did the same with my left leg. “Pain?’ “No.” I said.

While Dr. Maya was moving each leg around, I felt like a grasshopper with its legs being pulled around.

“OK, come sit down,” said Dr. Maya.

“I cannot walk, you see; my left leg is numb – something is wrong with my left leg! See Dr. Maya?” I continued to wail.

“MaryAnn, sit.”

“Jim, is Maryann like this? No relaxation?” asked Dr Maya.

“You got it right Dr Maya,” said Jim, also shaking his head.

I could have almost smacked these men. I have a numb leg, and all they can do is smile and shake their heads!

“Dr. Maya? OK – I’m ready to listen.” I said.

“You have inflammation!” said Dr. Maya.

“Inflammation? what inflammation? my wound is healed, you see, my scar is so beautiful – the healing is done!” I said.

‘”No, no! The nerve from the S1 controls the movement of your left leg. It has been irritated.” said Dr. Maya

“I said to you, just walk. When we did your operation, the neurosurgeon and I worked together, with the spine, the bones, and we are very very careful with the nerves. The spine is full of nerves.

“Any nerve that is cut, the patient cannot walk. You can walk. The nerves inside your S1 and S2 must stay calm. No carrying heavy things – no driving – when you drive, you have to twist and bend your spine, right? Anytime when we cut open the back, the nerves get irritated, and your numbness in your left leg comes from the S1 nerve which is now irritated, and angry. Do you understand?” asked Dr. Maya.

“So I have a nerve problem.” I said.

“You have an irritated nerve, slightly inflamed, MaryAnn,” said Dr. Maya.

“I am going to give you a prescription,” Dr. Maya answered.

Returning to his desk, Dr. Maya began writing on his pad.

“I am writing out a prescription, for you MaryAnn. Jim, this is for three injections, one each day. Jim, you can give shots?” asked Dr. Maya

“Shucks, no – only gave a shot to a horse once,” said Jim.

“You don’t know how to give shots?” asked a baffled Dr Maya.

“Jim, here, this is the prescription – it’s for anti-inflammtories, for all this you go down to the pharmacy, and they can give the injection materials – then just go to any hospital for the shot. OK?” said Dr. Maya, handing the prescription to Jim.

“Maryann, are you taking any medications that I should know about?” asked Dr. Maya

“No just aspirin, nothing else,” I replied.

“After you finish my medication, come back and see me in 21 days. All of this is anti-inflammatory, to calm down all the nerves, and continue with the recovery.”

“Just because your scar has healed, the inside of the sacroiliac and the nerves all need time to recover,” said Dr. Maya, smiling.

“So it’s my S1 nerve that is irritated? that’s it?” I asked.

“Yes, this is common with back surgeries, and you had the Tarlov cysts! These all sit on nerves!” Dr. Maya explained.

“Why did you ask me what other medicines I am taking Dr. Maya?” I asked.

“We don’t like our patients to take any strong painkillers, like opiates, too strong”

“Why?” Jim asked.

“Opiates make it difficult for doctors to see the real healing of the patient. Opiates will hide all the pain, and when the opiates wear off, the pain is worse!” said Dr Maya.

“If you were on opiates, MaryAnn, I would not be able to identify your pain, and any nerve damage.

“Back surgery is very complicated for the patient. The post-operation, avoiding scar tissue inside the sacroiliac, very important. Scar tissue will grow wrongly can irritate the spinal nerves, and the back pain will come back again.

“The nerves especially get irritated and that is very normal. Taking opiates like Vicodin. I am not for my patients to do it. Also it is addictive.

“Let the recovery of the spine, and the nerves be simple and basic. Good for patient, and for us surgeons. You understand?” asked Dr. Maya.

“Why are you moving around so much, MaryAnn? This is not what I want you to do. You have to walk slowly, rest, rest. Do everything slowly,” said Dr. Maya, visibly upset.

We thanked Dr. Maya and will see him in 21 days.

After we got back into our truck, Jim laughed, “No more Jane Fonda leg exercises and what-not you’ve been doing Maryann!”

“Well…don’t you go pull a muscle spasm on me just three months after my back surgery Mister!” I said.

“Why, sure, MaryAnn. Next time I’ll choose the right time for my back spasms,” said Jim, flooring it and cutting out into the traffic.

I am now five months into my Tarlov cyst operation recovery.

My S1 nerve is doing great. I got the three shots, at the Hospital Santa Monica, right near our home (we just walked in – no doctor appointments in Mexicali). I am not bending and taking Dr. Maya’s prescription, and Advil (great stuff at a friend’s suggestion), and back to being my old self.”

It has been 2 months since my Sept 10th 2009 Tarlov Cyst operation.  I am PAIN FREE, and walking.

Let me say that again – from the minute I came out of surgery right up until today, I have been 100% pain free.

Yes, there is discomfort due to the healing process after the operation, BUT NO PAIN, NADA! No pills, nothing!!!

This is what a successful Tarlov cyst operation should be like.

Jim has been doing all of the work, since my discharge from the hospital. He’s been a Godsend.

I work on my computer, while sitting on a sofa chair in our office.  Since my Tarlov cysts were located down at the S1 and S2, I need a soft cushion to sit on it at all times.  Jim had bought me a medical donut pillow, which has been great, also for going out to restaurants because the chairs are hard.

Right now, I am able to sit without the donut  pillow for hours. I was able to even clean the kitty litter box, which was a great feeling! I can bend!

With the passing of each day, I can feel my butt muscles getting stronger.  I do my own personal exercises where I flex my butt muscles several times. It’s a great feeling, as the progress I am making is visible to everyone, despite my very own impatience.

My last visit to Dr Maya’s office was in October 2009. I showed Dr Maya the one little wound, which was right at the top of the incision, and he advised Jim to pour hydrogen peroxide over it and keep it bandaged.  The length of the scar, from my tail on up is about 5 inches.

Dr Maya proclaimed: “You are cured, no need for any more visits.  Jim, I have told you how to heal the wound, and if you need to see me, just come in to my office! And, MaryAnn, make sure you don’t life heavy things yet”

I have kept to a fish diet.  There is a great seafood restaurant, not far from our casa, called Sonorense.  We go there often. Jim has a huge shrimp cocktail, followed by a steak and fries, while I stick to the delicious tomato-based steamed halibut and rice. For now, that’s the only seafood I am going to eat -  I stick to fish to avoid getting any keliods!

The weather is getting chilly here in Mexicali, up in the 80s during the day, and in the mid 40s at night.  I am glad I had my operation in September, as this Tarlov cyst operation is no walk in the park.  It would be extra tough for me to have such an operation in winter.

I take my donut pillow with me, whenever I go out now.  I’m taking no chances.  I can walk all over our home, and wherever we go – pain free. I can now wash the dishes, and even did a little dance with Jim at the Sinapsis Café.

Jim and I watched the great game between the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. Me sitting in my recliner chair, which Jim bought from our friend, Jorge, at his 2nd hand furniture shop, for $100. How can you beat that price?

Jim is getting me into football and I read an article where Tom Brady the Patriots Quarterback had a knee injury, and it took him up to a year to get back into shape, and to get his energy back. I felt darn good, reading that.  It means that the body needs all the time to heal up the outside and the inside wounds and it even takes time for a young guy like Brady to get his full energy back.

Jim and I were really disappointed over the coach’s bad call on 4th down, which cost New England the came which they had already “won.” Jim said, “Look’s darn suspicious to me – wonder if the New England coach was getting a little cash for that?”

Matthew returns from Vermillion, South Dakota, in a couple of days.  He was there to visit with family and friends, and collect the rest of his suitcases.  The South Dakota weather at 25 degrees freezing is too cold for him now, after having acclimated himself to sunny Mexicali.  Great— Jim and Matthew will cook the Thanksgiving turkey!  I can’t wait.

Our kids are not coming down; they don’t plan to travel, with the bad economy in the U.S. They are staying glued to their jobs.

I will continue to update everyone on my progress.

I am making a great recovery from the operation done in Mexicali to eliminate my two Tarlov cysts.

I was so enthusiastic, that I decided to spread the word, and joined two forums – the first of which was inspire.com.

Most of the people in that forum seem to be in hopeless situations. Here are some of their comments:

“John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore has a 6 month to a year waiting list.“

“My surgery was Aug. 21, 2007 … the pain is lingering from the nerve damage, but it’s decreasing slowly.“

“I live in Australia and have an appointment with Dr Mark Sheridan in Liverpool [England] and wondered if anybody has been to see him or heard of him.”

“I am in the same situation, I have it at S-4. It is very painful and I am almost disabled from it. You tell the doctor your symptoms and right away they say – oh it’s not from that, it’s something else and they don’t do anything about it.“

“My MRI showed bilateral Tarlov cysts … When I asked my surgeon he replied ‘everyone has them.’ … I have talked with many Drs. who never heard of them.“

“So far I’ve been getting nothing but a run around from the doctors.“

“I still strongly suggest Dr. Frank Fiegenbaum of Midwest Neurosurgery, Kansas City, MO for your surgery. The surgery bill was $82,000, hospital was $100,000, doctor bill was 50,000. I believe those numbers are close. Tammy told me what they were, however insurance won’t pay that much.“

$232,000 supposedly paid for Dr. Feigenbaum to do the operation! Who can afford that? What insurance company will pay that amount?

I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Compared to my experience with my Tarlov cyst  operation in Mexicali, these comments seemed like they were coming from some other world!

I made a comment to inspire.com, and gave them my website, so the people could learn how easy it is to get a Tarlov operation – and a fraction of the U.S. cost.

One of the inspire.com moderators sent me an email informing me that my comment had been deleted because I gave my website name.

Huh? I guess the only website inspire.com is promoting is that of Dr. Feigenbaum.

You deal with Dr. Feigenbaum pretty much exclusively on remote basis – by phone and by mail. When Dr. Feigenbaum is ready, his website states, “You may plan to travel in to Kansas City the day before your scheduled office appointment for consultation. Surgery will already be scheduled and pre-arranged for the following day should you choose to proceed.“

Looks like Dr. Feigenbaum sees you once just to get your “yes” or “no” on the operation – sounds a bit impersonal to me. One woman wrote, “Well, it’s been 5 full weeks since I sent my MRI to Dr. Fiegenbaum. He has been out of the office for about 2 of these weeks. I am trying to be patient.”  That’s crazy – I can walk in and see my Tarlov cyst doctor, whenever I want.

I also joined straight_talk_tarlovcysts.

The comments here were pretty much the same as inspire.com. But there was more emphasis on the problem of getting insurance companies to pay for the operation.

Most likely, the insurance companies are never going to pay. Here’s my suggestion: Since most folks in the U.S. pay about $1,000 a month for insurance, stop the insurance, and save the money for a year. You’ll have more than I paid for my operation, and can get the operation in Mexicali.

In this forum as in inspire.com, I felt like I was at a party where everyone was talking to someone else, and no one was talking to me.

I canceled my membership in both groups. The people’s ideas were just unreal.

Now, I understand what the folks in Washington mean when they say our health care is “broken.”

The doctors don’t know anything, the insurance companies don’t want to pay anything, and the government wants to force us to take insurance or be fined and jailed.

Thank God we live in Mexicali!

Thursday morning, September 10th – A nurse came in at 7:00am and inserted an IV drip into my right hand. “Getting ready for your operation,” she said. Mentally, I was ready and excited about this whole procedure.

At 8:45am,  the nurses came in with a gurney and transferred me from my bed to the gurney.  This was it!

Jim had arrived early to keep me company, and waited in my room, while I was wheeled out and into the operating room.

There, waiting for me were a neurosurgeon, two anesthetists, and two nurses.

Dr. Carlos Maya, my spine surgeon was outside, in the hallway, speaking to someone. The doctors and the nurses were dressed in green scrubs.

“Buenos dias,” I smiled. “Buenos dias,” they all answered returning my smile.

The two nurses started to wrap my lower legs with gauze bandages and fitted each leg with a dark blue Velcro-like stocking to hold the bandages up.

Dr. Fernando, the anesthetist, spoke English to me, asking me how I liked Mexicali.

“I live here in Mexicali,” I answered. He was surprised at that, and we continued to chit chat about life and food in Mexicali.

As Dr. Maya entered the operating room also dressed in green scrubs, everyone fell silent.

Dr. Maya sat down next to me and said, “MaryAnn, I will make sure the cyst is out, and that you will have no pain. Don’t worry – everything will be fine.”

As soon as Dr. Maya finished speaking, Dr. Fernando showed me two syringes, saying, “Which one would you like, the one to put you to sleep, or the epidural?” He looked at me and said, ” I suggest the one to put you to sleep.”

I agreed. Dr. Fernando said, “You will have no pain, as I will inject the anesthetic into your IV drip.

In no time, I was out.

Three hours later, I woke up in the recovery room. There was no headache, and no side effects. I felt great!

Jim was standing just outside the room peering in. “MaryAnn, Dr. Maya found a second cyst, one inch long – you had twins, Honey,” he smiled.

Here in Mexicali, the doctors keep their patients in the recovery room for at least two hours to make sure that they are fine before returning them to their rooms.

At 3:00pm, I was wheeled back to my room and transferred to my bed. “You did just great, Honey!” Jim kissed my forehead and grinned.

The first thing I did was wiggle my toes – yippee! They all worked!

“Jim, I have no more pain,” I said, sleepily.

“Wow, that is amazing, MaryAnn! Dr. Maya is a genius!”

There were now three tubes coming out of me, my IV, a tube from my spine to drain the blood, and a catheter for the bladder.

Through the IV, I was given pain medicine, antibiotics, and medicine to calm my tummy.

For the rest of the day, I slept.

When I awoke to have a light dinner, Jim was there. He had arranged to feed our pets, and decided to spend the night in the room with me, sleeping on the sofa.

Jim and I slept very well that night. Jim was relieved that everything had gone so well, and, for the first time in 13 years, I had no pain in my back.

Around 9:30am the next morning, Dr. Maya came to pay me a visit. He explained that, in addition to the cyst we knew about which was about half and inch long, he had found a second, larger, cyst about an inch long.

He then looked me over and removed the small plastic tube draining blood from behind my spine by simply pulling it out very slowly.

When he was finished, Dr. Maya wrote out a prescription for an anti-inflammatory, a pain killer, and an antibiotic, and told me I could go home, anytime, but that I had to rest in bed for four weeks. The healing was important, especially the internal healing. The two cysts were in the middle of spinal nerves, and if scar tissue formed there, it could push on the nerves, causing pain.

“You come to see me at my office on September 25th,” he said.

“Dr. Maya,” I said, “you are a genius – thank you so much!”

Dr. Maya looked at me, and pointing upwards with his finger, said, “No, it’s God.”

I have been plagued with a back pains since 1996. Originally, a doctor had prescribed Soma to relieve the pain. Later, as the pain increased, and Soma did not help, I had treatments of steroid shots from a new doctor in the States.

First, I had three steroid shots in my neck, and that helped, but not for too long. I then had another three shots into my lower back which relieved the pain, but only temporarily.

None of my U.S. doctors made any attempt to diagnose the cause of my condition.

It was only when we came to live in Mexicali that I was diagnosed with scoliosis (curvature of the spine) in 2008.  I had an MRI taken of my lower back, due to my increasing back pains here in Mexicali. My spine surgeon, Dr Carlos Maya, detected a slight scoliosis, but thought my condition might be due to a herniated disc. At the time, it did not appear to be so serious as to operate. (I covered this in my prior page, “Healthcare we couldn’t afford in America.”)

After that visit to Dr. Maya, my back pain continued to worsen, and my ability to use my left leg was getting less and less. My lower back was in burning pain and there was numbness, tingling sensation from my lower back all the way down to my left leg.

This change in my ability to walk frightened me. I was disintegrating rapidly.

Now, in 2009, I went to see Dr Carlos Maya again and he sent me off for another MRI.

After collecting my new MRI, my husband, Jim, and I arrived at Dr Maya’s a bit early, at 6:00pm. We also had the results of my blood test for Dr. Maya. His waiting area was swamped with patients.

In Mexico, you don’t make an appointment with your doctor (and wait a couple of months like in the U.S.) – you just go to his office.

As usual Dr. Maya’s reception room was swamped with patients.  We waited and, finally, at 7:00pm the receptionist said it was our turn to see the doctor.

Dr. Maya greeted us with his usual friendly attitude, a nice comparison to the grave attitude of some of my U.S. doctors.

He took a quick look at the results of my blood test, and said, “Good.” He then took a look at my MRI and after a brief inspection said, “You have a Tarlov Cyst.  See this white spot right here…that’s a cyst on your spine.  That cyst may have been your problem, all along.”

Dr. Maya then opened the radiologist’s written MRI report. It confirmed what Dr. Maya had seen – that I had a Tarlov Cyst.

“You know, this is a very rare condition, “said Dr. Maya. I have seen it only twice in twenty years.”

“To be sure where the pain is coming from, I want you to have a nerve conduction test,” said Dr. Maya, writing down a referral, “and see where the pain in your back is coming from for me to operate. You will see Dr. Zazueta – this is very important!”

Well, I was in a state of shock, and so was Jim.  I had a cyst in my lower spine!

I had never heard of a nerve conduction test. It sounded like a great idea, especially since it could determine where the pain was coming from.

On Saturday, Jim took me to Dr. Zazueta’s office. Even though the nerve conduction test involved sticking some small needles in my back, it was not painful.

Jim collected results of my nerve test from Dr. Zazueta on Monday, September 7th, Labor Day, but it was not Labor Day in Mexico.

With the test results, we went to see Dr. Maya at 7:00pm. As usual, his waiting room was filled with patients – patients with arm slings, patients with canes like me, a woman who had her neck in a brace, a young boy with a bandaged left hand, all waiting to see Dr. Maya. There were patients holding onto their MRIs, sealed in big flat brown paper envelopes.

There was also an Englishman waiting for his turn. Jim started talking to him. The fellow works in Mexicali, and had a back operation done by Dr Maya, and was waiting for his final checkup. He was very pleased with his operation.  His wife, a Mexican lady, and new baby were there with him. Even the baby was smiling.

There were so many people that the receptionist had to bring in more chairs.

I was looking forward Dr Maya’s explanation of just what my nerve conduction tests showed.

Finally, our turn came. Dr Maya opened the sealed envelope from Dr. Zazueta, and confirmed that my “new friend,” the Tarlov Cyst was giving me all the excruciating pain from my lower back down to my swollen left leg.

Just like a nerve irritating a tooth, my Tarlov Cyst was sitting between nerves on my spine! Dr Maya made me lie down on the couch, and did his own nerve test.  He checked both of my lower legs, with a sharp object, and asked: “Which leg feels this pinch? Right leg or left leg?”

I said, “My right leg feels the sharp prick – the left leg not so much.”

“That is consistent with your tests,” said Dr Maya as he helped me off the couch, and back to my chair.

“Are you ready to have the operation?” Dr. Maya asked.

“Yes, Dr Maya.  Right now, I am in so much pain, this is no life,” I said.

“Dr  Maya, I want to check into the hospital as soon as possible.  At this point in my life, I am in so much pain, that I find it difficult to walk.  The medications that I am on, especially the cortisone pills have made me into a bloated moonfaced person. What day do you think will be good for you to operate on me?”

“Thursday morning, at 9:00pm is a good time. Wednesday, I will be going to Tijuana, to do an operation and I will be back in the late afternoon. Yes, Thursday will be fine.” said Dr Maya.

I couldn’t help but think of an American lady with a similar condition. She has a blog, too. She called a specialist, and he did not return the call for five weeks. When he did, he gave her instructions as to what tests she must take and to “send them in.” The poor lady is dealing, at least so far, with a voice on the telephone. All I can say is “Viva Mexico.”

“Can I check in Wednesday evening?” I asked Dr. Maya.

“Yes, or Thursday morning – it’s up to you,” he answered.

Since my operation was scheduled for early morning, Jim and I agreed that it would be best to check in the evening before.

Dr. Maya recommended a not-so-expensive hospital, as the operating room was just as good as those in the big name hospitals here.

Jim and I wanted to save money, but I really did not know what to expect of a “not-so-expensive” hospital. Still I had faith in Dr. Maya’s recommendation.

Wednesday evening, I packed a bag, and Jim drove me to the hospital – Centro Quirurgico del Vallee, or Valley Surgical Center.

The hospital was a small, one-story affair. I noticed that the reception room was immaculate as Jim checked me in.

After checking in, a nurse walked us down a beautiful hallway, and into a large immaculate private room, with a private bath – WOW!

“What’s this? The Waldorf,” said Jim as he looked around.

Jim stayed for awhile, but didn’t know if he could sleep over, so he went home.

After Jim left, was I afraid? Yes! I had no idea of how I would come out of the operation. I had heard of so many cases where such operations did little to reduce the pain. I was also worried that something might go wrong. We were dealing with spinal nerves. Would I walk again?

Stay tuned – I hope to see you all on the other side of my operation.