On Sat, 20 Oct 2007 07:59:33 -0600 "Collins Richey" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> On 10/20/07, [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> wrote:
> > > On 10/19/07, Bob Hemus <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> > >> My Certified Diabetes Councilor Turned my name in to the Joslin
> > >> Diabetes Foundation last year as a 50 year survivor of diabetes.
> > >
> > > Cool beans! Wonder if Kurt and I could wangle a free trip for
> > > being many-year AS survivors <grin>.
> > >
> > What is as/
>
> ankylosing spondylitis, a genetic disorder that causes calcification
> of the soft matter separating the bones of the spinal column and other
> areas resulting in decreased mobility ("fusing") of the joints.
> Frequently associated with this is chronic eyeritis, an inflamation of
> the iris that has to be treated with steroid drops.
Very interesting, apparently that makes 3 of us. I had a consultation
with a Specialist back in late September and my Doctor got the report
about the middle of the second week in October and I was in to see her
on the 11th. ANyway I can usually follow and comprehend whatever she is
explaining etc. and this time was no different until she just sort
dropped the names of two types spinal conditions:
ankylosing spondylitis and spondylolisthesis.
I recognized the second one as being what was wrong my lower back and
what the surgeons tried to stabilize in 1985. There was a
neural-surgeon and orthopaedic-surgeon working on my lower back where
the end result involved the removal of the part of L5 that protects the
spinal cord itself. Once removed that chunk of vertebrae resembled a
wishbone when viewed from the top. They then divided that bone material
was divided into 2 parts which were each further divided into 3 parts.
Those pieces were then laminated along the sides of the L5 - S1 level
essentially locking them together. In order to facilitate this a new
channel was then carved for the spinal-cord, thus removing the cause of
a good portion of my pain as well as preventing me from suddenly and
temporarily losing the use of my legs. This loss of use happened
several times over a 3 month time-span before the decision was made to
perform the operation. That should have been the end of the story but
because the Blood Agency used for blood collection in Canada at that
time was the Red Cross and they opted NOT to use the available tests to
check for HCV and HIV (HCV = Hepatitis C Virus and HIV being the
leading cause of AIDS). I managed to avoid the HIV contaminated blood
but during the operation I required 3 units of whole-blood, at least
one of which was contaminated with HepC. The end result was that I took
part in a Clinical Trial of what is now considered to be the cure for
HepC. The good news is that I have been virus-free since then, however
the short-term side effects darned near killed me, and the long-term
effect resulted in almost totally depleting my body of calcium which we
all know is required for healthy bones. So these days I´m having to
take medication to combat Osteoporosis in my spine and Osteoarthritis
in my hips, legs and large parts of my upper body.
I knew I had heard (read) something about AS on this list but the
details had escaped me until I started reading and following this
thread.
So I also have Spondylolisthesis [1] [2] that effects L3, L4, L5 and S1
(the bottom 3 lumbar vertebrae plus the Sacrum which is what the upper
part of the `tail-bone´ is called). The AS is being aggravated and
accompanied by some damage obtained in the 1980´s when I broke my neck
(C7) and ended up with approximately 10 compression fractures and 12 or
so discs that have been pretty much obliterated.
All that damage plus a fractured skull and a seriously bruised
(swollen) brain were the result of getting ¨hatched¨ by the driver´s
(armoured) hatch on a tracked APC (Canadian Army) in early 1984. The
safety catch that holds the hatch in the fully open position had
somehow been completely wiped from the body of the vehicle.
The young Lad who was supposed to be holding the hatch so I would not
get clobbered, let go and ducked down into the troop area to retrieve
his head-set. At that point we were travelling very near top speed under
blackout conditions over undulating terrain. Before he could get
hold of the hatch, it clobbered me, driving my head down and forward
until my chin contacted the forward edge of the ¨hole¨.
Needless to say I was out cold - they said for almost 25 minutes - with
VERY shallow breathing. So shallow the Sargent thought I was dead and
the Medics apparently had a hard time proving him wrong... but here I
am: alive and having to deal with quite a bit of pain and the results
of 2 minor strokes - one in ´93 and another about 6 months prior to my
first Linux installation in late ´97.
So I have been using Linux to... um... exercise (?) my brain for the
last 10 years. I guess that kind of explains some of my antics over the
years on this list and it´s predecessors... 8-/
[1] - General Info:
http://orthopedics.about.com/od/spondylosis/Information_About_Spondylosis_and_Spondylolisthesis.htm
[2] - Clinical Features:
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=dispen/elguide/spondyl#cli
Well, now that I have nearly talked the leg off of everyone I will now
go back to just lurking in the background again. 8-)
Thanks for listening and have yourselves a wonderful week end...
--
Myles
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