Further considerations

One more night on the bandstand and that feature of my life recedes somewhat for another year. My preparations have paid off. I am getting through the gig with some (not much) chops left. The dinner-time thing I did 2 weeks ago went okay. We did it as a trio, guitar, drums, trumpet--no bass--and there were spaces where there should have been music. Oh well, you play the hand as dealt. The current dinner-show-dance has gone well for a couple other reasons too: the show isn't as demanding this year (blowing wise) and we are only doing one long set of dance music (leave 'em wanting more). My colleagues have been gracious in re my return. Ergo, tonight should go fine. It has been a blast as this activity recalls my early days and permits a sort of reliving without taking over my life. I always knew enough to keep my day gig, not to try to make a career of music, and my feelings about that still haven't changed. Today, my day job, is a lot easier (ha ha).

My big concern now has been--still is--my mobility. I worried initially about being able to get up and down from the bandstand. The major stairs thereto are, thankfully, railed, and I have been using those rails extensively. Then there are a couple unprotected steps in two sets to get to where the trumpets are seated. I am being really careful there also. We do have to get off the stand during the show. We wander the audience while playing Tuxedo Junction. Cornball, yes. Effective with the audience, yes. Why? I don't know. I have been able to do this but without much agility, which the 50 somethings in the band still have.

So to the main: Yesterday I met a new doc. He does backs and pain. He took a series of X-rays that I could see--he said we didn't need a radiologist to interpret and he was correct--showed no disk space between the L4-L5 area of the spine. I already have no disc space between L5 and S1 because that disc material was removed in a hemi-laminectomy some 30+ yrs ago. We are going to use a 3-pronged strategy that combines diagnosis and therapy. First, exercise: I have really felt considerable improvement in leg strength and function this past couple weeks because I have returned to doing my stretches and some core strengthening every day. (I have bagged my exercycle workouts until the show is completed.) (Above: L = lumbar; S = sacral areas of the spine). The good news is that my spine is fairly straight in the vertical dimension. Second, epidural injections of lydocaine and cortisone: The first will occur this coming Tuesday. For diagnostic purposes he will first do the L5 space since that is coincident with my sciatica which now radiates down the backs of both legs. He will next do the L4 space, if and only if, I don't get good (complete?) relief from the first injection. The L4 space pain--if there is such--is more coincident with radiation down the leg sides and fronts, which I don't chronically have.  His suspicion is that my knees suddenly buckling on me, is the body's response to sudden pain. Third, he will do electro-myography. This is essentially nerve function mapping via low level electrical stimulation. He believes he can sort out what I am feeling nerve-wise that is due to the recent (acute?) peripheral neuropathy as differentiated from what is happening (chronically, the sciatica) with my back. I have spoken with friends who have had the epidurals. The injections produce a variety of outcomes the most salient feature of which appears to be their variability. Some injections seem to last people (make them pain free) for more than a year, others just a few months. Still others, they do nothing for. They can done at the frequency of several per year. The doc is also prepared to go down the pain med route with increased doses of naproxen (prescription Alleve) as required. Oh, also he has ordered an MRI to further the diagnosis.

So, MRI Monday, epidural Tuesday, regular visit with my internist on Wednesday. Off to Colorado to sip wine, Thursday. I am one busy boy.  More sooner, than later....