Tough Road Ahead - Neil Parry's 31st Surgical Procedure
As we embark on the 2nd month of 2008, February, Neil and I are embarking on another surgery for Neil which will be taking place today at approximately 2:00pm. Neil's leg has been bugging him and after 30 surgeries since his injury in 2001, he has been living in constant pain which can take its toll on a person mentally, physically and emotionally.
Thankfully after a year and half of research, doctor visits, referrals, test trials and a lot of ups and downs, he'll be having a new innovative procedure that will attempt to curb his pain once and for all.
You see, when his initial injury occured, his bones came through the skin, severing alot of main nerves that run to his foot including one of the most important nerves in the body, the 'superficial peroneal nerve'.... And yes, the name of the nerve is pronounced like NEIL!!!
Since the nerve is no longer connected to his big toe (duh he has no big toe), the nerves have been sending all kinds of wacked out signals to Neil's brain. The peroneal nerve provides fundamental motor and sensory innervation to the leg and foot. These nerves communicate between the brain and muscles, skin, internal organs and blood vessels. When damaged, the nerves can't communicate properly, causing severe pain. With this nerve growing at a fast rate, things called neuromas form at the tail end of the nerve, causing even more pain. Neuroma formation is a natural consequence of a nerve when it is severed.
Naturally, all amputees will have several neuromas, some much worst than others. After numerous surgeries and prosthetic fittings were unsuccessful, Neil and I took the research into our own hands and began understanding more about Neil's pain, trying to come up with the most realistic procedure that can really help rather than disappoint us as usual. Every surgery brought with it empty promises but our heavy involvement and self-driven research makes me feel confident that this procedure may be 'THE ONE'.
After months of doctor referrals, we found ourselves at the office of Dr. Nicholas Barbaro, a renound UCSD neurosurgeon and co-director of the Functional Neurosurgery Program for epilepsy, movement disorders, pain and nerve injury. Dr. Barbaro is ranked 5th nationally and recognized internationally for his work in surgery. He is also the director of the Central Nervous System Infections and AIDS Program at UCSF. He has lectured widely about epilepsy, movement disorders, surgical management of pain, and surgical management of peripheral nerve disorders throughout the United States and in Canada and Europe.
Our experience with Dr. Barbaro and the rest of the UCSF Neurological Surgery staff thus far has been perfect. This is a rare experience as many doctors and staff in the orthopedic and surgical industry we've had experience with either:
(a) don't care
(b) are egotistic and think they can solve problems and give false hope
(c) nurses and medical staff are freaking RUDE!
OK. Now back to what Dr. Barbaro plans on doing. In the past, many doctors went into Neil's leg and cut the nerves and closes him back up. Woop-Di-Freakin-Do! That doesn't do anything. As I mentioned earlier, the nerves grow and just like a weed, if you don't pick it right, it'll come back bigger. So all of those surgeries in the past that had to do anything with his nerve were a complete waste of time. How do doctor's like this exists????!!???
Dr. Barbaro's plan of action is to
(1) Clean up the nerve endings
(2) Remove the neuroma's (i'm sure there is more than one)
(3) Get the neuroma's tested for disease, infection
(4) Now for the big part, he will take several of the nerve endings and bury it DEEP into his bone, so his brain *thinks* that its going to his toe... or wherever.
While this is a fairly new procedure, most surgeons who practice this feel that the neuroma should be moved to a deeper site, either by proximal division under moderate tension or by placing the nerve end in bone.
I cannot tell you all how excited I am to get this thing going. I don't think Neil is as excited as me because he's been disappointed so much in the past that he'd rather be negative and be surprised if something good happens. Me on the other hand, I'm freaking ecstatic and truly believe this will help bring his life to a livable pain tolerance level. We are going to stay the night at UCSF medical clinic but hopefully will be back in the comfort of our home in time for the Superbowl. Its crazy how we were at the superbowl 3 years ago watching Josh play with the Eagle and now we'll be home and Neil will be stuck at home as a result of FOOTBALL.
another hilarious tidbit... Neil and Peezy are both going to be at home with leg issues this coming week. They say a dog is a man's best friend but I didn't know they could have THIS much in common.
Have a great Friday and wonderful weekend. I'll update Rougetimes frequently with updates.
Thankfully after a year and half of research, doctor visits, referrals, test trials and a lot of ups and downs, he'll be having a new innovative procedure that will attempt to curb his pain once and for all.
You see, when his initial injury occured, his bones came through the skin, severing alot of main nerves that run to his foot including one of the most important nerves in the body, the 'superficial peroneal nerve'.... And yes, the name of the nerve is pronounced like NEIL!!!Since the nerve is no longer connected to his big toe (duh he has no big toe), the nerves have been sending all kinds of wacked out signals to Neil's brain. The peroneal nerve provides fundamental motor and sensory innervation to the leg and foot. These nerves communicate between the brain and muscles, skin, internal organs and blood vessels. When damaged, the nerves can't communicate properly, causing severe pain. With this nerve growing at a fast rate, things called neuromas form at the tail end of the nerve, causing even more pain. Neuroma formation is a natural consequence of a nerve when it is severed.
Naturally, all amputees will have several neuromas, some much worst than others. After numerous surgeries and prosthetic fittings were unsuccessful, Neil and I took the research into our own hands and began understanding more about Neil's pain, trying to come up with the most realistic procedure that can really help rather than disappoint us as usual. Every surgery brought with it empty promises but our heavy involvement and self-driven research makes me feel confident that this procedure may be 'THE ONE'.
After months of doctor referrals, we found ourselves at the office of Dr. Nicholas Barbaro, a renound UCSD neurosurgeon and co-director of the Functional Neurosurgery Program for epilepsy, movement disorders, pain and nerve injury. Dr. Barbaro is ranked 5th nationally and recognized internationally for his work in surgery. He is also the director of the Central Nervous System Infections and AIDS Program at UCSF. He has lectured widely about epilepsy, movement disorders, surgical management of pain, and surgical management of peripheral nerve disorders throughout the United States and in Canada and Europe.Our experience with Dr. Barbaro and the rest of the UCSF Neurological Surgery staff thus far has been perfect. This is a rare experience as many doctors and staff in the orthopedic and surgical industry we've had experience with either:
(a) don't care
(b) are egotistic and think they can solve problems and give false hope
(c) nurses and medical staff are freaking RUDE!
OK. Now back to what Dr. Barbaro plans on doing. In the past, many doctors went into Neil's leg and cut the nerves and closes him back up. Woop-Di-Freakin-Do! That doesn't do anything. As I mentioned earlier, the nerves grow and just like a weed, if you don't pick it right, it'll come back bigger. So all of those surgeries in the past that had to do anything with his nerve were a complete waste of time. How do doctor's like this exists????!!???
Dr. Barbaro's plan of action is to
(1) Clean up the nerve endings
(2) Remove the neuroma's (i'm sure there is more than one)
(3) Get the neuroma's tested for disease, infection
(4) Now for the big part, he will take several of the nerve endings and bury it DEEP into his bone, so his brain *thinks* that its going to his toe... or wherever.
While this is a fairly new procedure, most surgeons who practice this feel that the neuroma should be moved to a deeper site, either by proximal division under moderate tension or by placing the nerve end in bone.
I cannot tell you all how excited I am to get this thing going. I don't think Neil is as excited as me because he's been disappointed so much in the past that he'd rather be negative and be surprised if something good happens. Me on the other hand, I'm freaking ecstatic and truly believe this will help bring his life to a livable pain tolerance level. We are going to stay the night at UCSF medical clinic but hopefully will be back in the comfort of our home in time for the Superbowl. Its crazy how we were at the superbowl 3 years ago watching Josh play with the Eagle and now we'll be home and Neil will be stuck at home as a result of FOOTBALL.
another hilarious tidbit... Neil and Peezy are both going to be at home with leg issues this coming week. They say a dog is a man's best friend but I didn't know they could have THIS much in common.
Have a great Friday and wonderful weekend. I'll update Rougetimes frequently with updates.
I love you Neil Parry... my fiance and my hero.
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