DEAR DIARY BY BARRY QUINN

Songs from the chair ?

Jan 15th 2005

Well oh well , here we go.

I’ve kept pretty quiet somewhat about this but back around Dec 10th or so something happened to my back after working or golfing or what I don’t know.

Bottom line is I ended up going to the doctor with severe pain in my lower right lumbar (back)

I shuffled in the docs office but crawled out on hands and knees because I could not walk.

He’s one of those take 2 pills and call me in the morning kind of docs, so I did.

But it got so bad I could not walk at all,and my wife suggested I get around the house in my computer chair (fortunately we have wood floors)

So I revisit my quack who sends me for mri’s, which is where you are supposed to lay still for 1/2 an hour at least while this big machine x-rays you.

Well let me tell you, if you’ve never heard a grown man cry in pain, today was your lucky day, I shouted out swear words I didn’t know existed in the English language !

Never again do I want to be in that position, I felt bad for the examiner and the patients waiting, yours truly wailed like a banshee.

SO from there......Oh!... did I mention that all during this time it was the xmas period and unfortunately my wife HAD to see her mum up in Canada for 10 days, there was no option.

I was supposed to go but couldn’t could I ?

So 90% of the time I’m on my own but I did get help from sis in law bless her.

Well the mris get done and sent to a neurosurgeon, problem is, it’s the week before xmas and I can’t get to see anyone until Jan 14th!!!!!!!!!!

as they(the docs) are all galavanting to barbados with their barbie doll mistress and sipping pina coladas and singing roll out the barrel.

Meanwhile I’m in my house talking to the cat and drinking water because I can’t get to the store to buy beer....my oh my oh my.

Eventually my sis saved the day and loaded me up with the nectar of the gods southern comfort and sam adams beer.

This is great I’m thinking in my pill state liquor added euphoria.

What could be better than this ?

Stay at home all day drink take silly pills and chat online.

Well that only lasts so long.

I have since made a list of achievements I need to forfill in and out of this chair, which after a month I’ve got a flat bum, gonna have to do sumink about that :)

RIGHT..where was I ?

Oh yes,

so the bottom line is I have a herniated disc/bulging which is pinching a nerve (no not siatic) and a small dose of arthritis and I saw the neueosurgeon.

I had made up my mind to opt for surgery before I went in.

Apparently my problem only effects 10% of people. He told me the downsides first (wouldn’t shut up actually) and then my options of which rest has been done and I have had numerous epidural steroid injections in my back, all to little avail .

I forgot to mention that the back problem caused my right leg to fail on me (hence the no walking)

The surgery has a 95% success rate, I go for ekgs,xrays,blood onTuesday then the actual surgery Wednsday and will be there about a couple of days before returning home for a month or so to rest and fiddle with the telly converter thingmabob.

Should be right as rain by mid to late February.

We have a few gigs here in Florida in March which helps after the letdown of not going to the uk, things just didn’t work out as planned (maybe it was meant to be)

I’m a big believer that our lives have been planned out for us and theres always a reason for the direction in which you walk.

I’m not saying that a big guy in the sky drew a roadmap but someone has.

(maybe it was Hans :)lol..inside whotheshout joke.

The Wholigans despite the odd setback (and we’ve had many over the years....trust me!)

I believe/know the best is yet to come, I feel it and can’t wait to see all of you again.

Barry

Who will indeed turn everything louder than everything else real soon:)

UPDATE Jan 22nd Saturday (I think)

I came home yesterday sometime (don't recall) , the operation was fine.
Without going into all the details which I don't remember now anyway
(courtesy of mr vicodin and morphine:)

I'd like to thank EVERYONE of you for your best wishes, that was really nice.
Emails & cards & flowers & phone calls just kept coming and coming.....thankyou.
I don't have much of a voice , and to those who called I'll talk to you soon.
I've got a million rules to stick to .....one is no drinking for a month or so :(


Thanks again

Barry