Hope for the End of Pain

Today Paul had what is called a Thoracic Epidural Injection. Dr. Seth Wachsman believes what is causing his pain is a form of sciatica; that the problem is between T-8 and T-9 in his thoracic spine. Dr. Wachsman says he had the same thing when he was a Resident Physician, and also had been misdiagnosed more than once. So, today was the day. Paul did very well. Although we were told that he might experience pain at the sight of his injection, he had no pain there or any pain in his side which he had been experiencing for several years now. He has suffered so much. He slept well when we returned home, a side-effect of the anesthesia. Unfortunately, the air-conditioner decided to give us a problem, so he had to look at that, although he was supposed to only relax. But, other than that, he took it very easy. The folks at Health South, where Dr. Wachsman did the procedure, are to call him tomorrow to follow-up with him to see how he is doing. Our treatment there was very good, I believe. Our hope is that, after all these years, and it's been several, this is finally the correct diagnosis and that Paul's pain has been correctly treated. We've been through everything from possible kidney stones, to treating with physical therapy, treating the lumbar spine, and removing his gallbladder (which was needed anyway). We'll wait and see how this progresses.