And it's another day...

So, I've been discharged for the time being! I am now comfortably ensconced on my couch where I'll be spending pretty much the next week waiting for the neurontourage to make some decisions about just how awesome a scar they're going to give me. (Check it: a group of I think 20 different specialists are meeting on Wednesday to discuss my case because there apparently isn't any precedent for this surgery. Honestly. Read that sentence again. Medical journals have been around forever, there are infinite case studies available to doctors to consult, and yet there's still this idea of "no precedent" for my specific story. [And the title of my blog just gets reinforced...because for real, WTF?!?!?] So, they're all meeting to have a "Tumor Board". It'll be Dana's Spinapalooza. Neurostock. I guess there will be tumor specialists, neuroradiologists, vascular surgeons, and a bunch of other really educated people arguing over what is actually happening in my spinal cord, and the best way to proceed. The Spine Summit will then be followed by my two main surgeons, Dr. T. and Dr. S., scheduling the operation and telling me when my holding pattern will be over.)

My BFF, Katie, arrived yesterday and she's taking care of me for the next few days, and it's 100% awesome. Not only has Katie known me since our freshman year of high school, but she's also in her 2nd year of medical school at GW-- honestly, aside from having an actual doctor staying on my other couch during this whole week, could I ask for a better situation? "No, Dana, you probably couldn't." The support I'm getting from friends and family has been just unreal. Case in point: I made a friend at the victory party for the Hamilton County Democrats, Colleen King, and she came by the hospital yesterday, with an armload of fun and froth...I mean, an ARMLOAD. Fantastic junk food, a ton of magazines, beauty products [what girl doesn't love getting new products?!], games, etc...it was like manna from heaven! I've met Colleen just ONCE, we became Facebook buddies based on a shared love of The Chipmunk Adventure, and then -poof!- this massive show of kindness. So, again, I need to take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who's shown me any support-- sending flowers, reading the blog, making me laugh, calling me for updates, and everything else that has brightened an otherwise non-cool situation.

So, while the neurontourage allowed me to be at home while they plan my surgery, there are a number of guidelines I have to follow at home. I can't lift anything heavier than 5 pounds. (My housemate's dog, Lucy, is a little bundle of perfect, and I can't pick her up! It blows!) I can walk up and down the stairs, and I can take slow walks outside (but only if someone is next to me). I can't do anything where I bend my head and neck repeatedly. (For those of you that know me well enough, take comfort in the fact that when the nurse told me that, I took the opportunity to comment. I think this blog has a mixed audience, so I won't specify the actual inappropriate remark that I made-- but rest easy knowing that my compromised central nervous system hasn't done a thing to curb my smartassiness or penchant for jokes that 15-year-old dudes find hysterical.) The major thing I have to avoid is anything that will risk jarring my head or neck, so I won't disrupt the build-up of pressure in my spinal column and head. This basically means I have to avoid all of my favorite activities: freestyle walking, breakdancing, muay thai, rhythmic gymnastics...hahaha!

That's the update for now...I probably won't have any new information for a few days, but during this interim period, I have VERY little else to do than read, watch TV, and write in this blog, so there will probably be new entries. If you have questions about my case, don't hesitate to ask-- we can all get our learn on.