Pain Management tools 2017

(At the time of this writing 3/13/17) 

It's been a long 15 months since my C1/C2 fusion in 2015. A lot has happened. I've tried new treatments and discovered new tools to help manage my pain and symptoms. Non are enough alone but combined with the my surgeries, prolotherapy, aquatherapy, medical cannabis, and pharmaceutical pain management. I can significantly lower my pain in the moment with these new tools I've been the last year.

1) FasciaBlaster by Ashley Black: This tool has been amazing. It's exactly what I've needed to breakdown the crystallized fascia from my upper back, after being stuck in that hard neck collar for three years. and knowing im gonna be spending another 6 months in it soon. I use it to work on the tight fascia in my shoulder, hips, arms, legs, sides, everywhere. this tool is amazing.

2) Chinese Cupping: I started using these cups on my own and they where life saving at times.

3) Epsum Salt Hot Tub Soaks: Discovered these aromatherapy salts  InSPAration Hydro Therapies Sports Crstals RX I like to add them to my Hot Tubs.. really anything with epsum salt. I like the Rebuild for Joints and Muscle Issues.

FlexiKold Gel Cold Pack
(Oversize: 13" x 21.5")

4) Giant & Specialty Ice Packs: I spend all my time with ice, To numb the pain. Giant ice packs under me against my back that are oversize life this prevent more spinal subluaxtions. The ice collar has a removable ice packs  so far the only collar I can handle right now

Battlecreek Ice It! Neck Collar.

5) Thermophore MaxHeat Arthritis Pad Moist Heating Pad: this heating pad is kinda heavy and has hard inside but it warms up hot hot hot on low and gives off moist heat like being in a hot tub or sauna, has auto off the ones that have a stay on capability by this company are a button you have to hold down. I do not recomend them unless you have a way to keep them holding the button.. I use a hair clip or hair tie to keep it tied down I will show more of this trick on another post. This is a good type of heating pad to have shut off on it's own

Today 9/6/2020 I still all the above tools to help keep my pain at bay. I need them less fequently due to other therapies and treatments I have persued in the last several years

Spinal Surgery Fundraiser Video 2017

www.youcaring.com/hillarygorson2surgeriestogo

thank you for watching and sharing and donating if you can.

H

Health and Surgical Update

Everyday has been such a battle, I havnt been sleeping right and have been on a messed up reversed schedule for 2 months  now because I cannot wear my CPAP which was helping for a few weeks to get me some real resortive sleep, but it was a struggle to wear even the lightest mask because just the extra weight in front of head with my severe craniocervical instability was making my head slide and my neck so much worse. So I had to give up the CPAP and now I'm not "sleeping" and when I am "sleeping" it's not restful and it's during the daytime.

I feel like a energy vampire drains me every night and therfore I'm compeltly non functional during daytime hours. Especially to plan and find out what I need to for my upcoming surguires. My brain and body feel like they are at the highest degree of completly not functioning and it all comes down to this darn skull instabilty.

I need to make this surgery happen and unfortunately this means I need to ask for your help again. And it's actually two surguries again, but this time we know ahead of time.

The first surgery will be a tethered cord revision on April 12th. Which should help with many symptoms including allowing me to wear my neck collar for support and protection. Then on May 11th I'll have my craniocervical fusion. I cannot wear the collar to support my unstable skull right now cause it's triggering a worsening and intolerable degree of my tethered cord symptoms.

These two operations are in Oceanside, NY and mom and I are desperately trying to figure out how to make this trip possible and where we can stay for April & May out there that has a kitchen, no stairs and hopefully 2 beds within hopefully 30min of the hosptiol/ drs office.

I've made calls and checked the Web and air bnb and have even called some relators trying to  find a place suitable for my post surgical needs, and it is really difficult and rather expensive. So much more than I thought and we'll beyond anything I have.

It is very hard for me to ask for this help again after so many of you helped me with my surgeries last time.  I hate to do this but I need your help again. Without it i wont be able to afford to travel back east and stay out there to have these much needed operations. I just got my fundraiser page up and posted. Click Link 2 Spinal Surgeries to go: YouCaring Fundraiser Page If your able to help that would be incredible. If you can just pass on my link then that would be amazing too.

Thank you for reading my update and for all your support. I never could have made it this far without all of you amazing folks who helped donate last time and I am hoping that maybe you'd be willing to help me out again.