un-screwed

Saw the Neurosurgeon yesterday. After I reviewed my x-ray from last week I thought yesterday's Doctor visit was just a formality where he'd say "It looks pretty much like it did a month ago, let's keep things the same and check on it again in a month or so."

However, the Doctor came into the room with a scowl on his face. Knowing that wasn't a good sign (I'm pretty intuitive) my heart quickly increased it's pitter patter in my chest. He took me into his office and showed me on the x-ray where the top screw looks "looser" and the middle and bottom screws look like they have "void areas" around them, possibly indicating that they've been doing some moving of their own. He wants a better image of everything that's going on, so he filled out a slip to get me a CT Scan ASAP next week. Once he's able to look over the CT Scan he'll be able to give me his recommendation. The way I understand it, our options will be:

1. Go back in and put in a bigger screw on top
2. Go back in and take out the whole plate and screws. I'm not sure if this involves replacing it with a whole new set or not.
3. Leave things as they are, because it's not as bad as the x-rays looked (not likely)

The GOOD news he had for me was that since I'm not experiencing neck pain it's a good sign that I'm healing properly.

So, in summary, the saga continues and it's looking like once again I'll be "Back...to the OR". That would make 4 trips this year. Yikes. I should have gotten one of those frequent customer cards where they could punch out a hole each time I get cut open and I get a free MRI or something after 5 surgeries.

I don't know if this involves going back into a neck brace. I really don't want to be back in one, so I'll do what I can to avoid that. The recovery from the plate operation was a PAIN last time. I couldn't eat, sleep or swallow for like 3 or 4 days.

Well, after work today we are off to explore the Pacific NorthWest. I figure it should be a lot like the "Oregon Trail" game lots of us played back in elementary school. Oregon Ho!

hey dad....wanna have a catch?

Remember that scene from Field of Dreams where everyone gets all misty eyed watch Kevin Costner "have a catch" with his dad? Well, I had my own emotional catch moment today, but maybe no so "hollywood-ized" as the one that took place in the cornfield.

Today I played catch for the first time since my surgeries. The last time I played catch was when warming up with friend and teammate Scott Anderson. I was getting quite concerned as I couldn't even hold onto the ball in my glove since my nerves were so whacked out and I had lost so much feeling in my left hand.

Thankfully, when I played catch today (again with Scott) I was able to catch and throw without any problems. I didn't even drop a one (which I normally might do even before I had the nerve problems). I didn't do long toss or anything, but it was nice to get out there and play ball (in a way) again. I still won't be able to play baseball until next year but I'm well aware of how things come in baby steps after surgeries. (Note: That is not the father from Field of Dreams in the image above. It's shoeless Joe. I couldn't find a picture of Kevin and his father having that catch. Bonus points for you if you realized this before reading this footnote).

an odd hall of fame streak.

My flight back to San Diego yesterday reminded me of the last time I flew back to San Diego. Back in March when I was flying back after a ski trip, we saw Tony Gwynn (San Diego Padres Hall of Famer) in the airport, and then on our flight back home. Tony and the whole SDSU baseball team were on that flight. (Side note: Tony Gwynn deserves credit for being one of the nicest people on the planet. Not only did he sign pictures for everyone who asked, he even got out of his seat and took a picture next to a woman who didn't want to leave her spot in the "B line" for the flight).

Yesterday, after my surprise trip to Oakland (update coming soon) I saw yet another Hall of Famer in the airport. This time it was none other than the handlebar mustachioed closer Rollie Fingers. Sure, it could be someone who looked just like him, but c'mon - how many people look like him!??