What's written in that piece of paper puzzled me. Syringohydromyelia.
I've never even heard of the word. So I did my research. I googled the word and got even more worried than I've ever been my entire life.
So many thoughts crossed my mind at that time. I've read horrible stories of people with the same condition and got terrified by them. One of my main concern was: Will I ever run again?
Imagine that! I have this life threatening condition and all I can think about was Will I ever run again?
After reading it I went back to the Orthopedist and instead he made a recommendation that I visit his colleague, a senior neurosurgeon who did the separation of the Siamese Twins decades ago. I thought to myself, I'm in a real deep shit!
Syringohydromyelia or Syringomyelia
Syringomyelia is a generic term referring to a disorder in which a
cyst or cavity forms within the
spinal cord. This cyst, called a
syrinx, can expand and elongate over time, destroying the spinal cord. The damage may result in pain,
paralysis, weakness,
and stiffness in the back, shoulders, and extremities. Syringomyelia
may also cause a loss of the ability to feel extremes of hot or cold,
especially in the hands. The disorder generally leads to a cape-like
loss of pain and temperature sensation along the back and arms. Each
patient experiences a different combination of symptoms. These symptoms
typically vary depending on the extent and, often more critically, to
the location of the syrinx within the spinal cord.
Scary huh?!
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