After my previous trip to the US for Radio frequency ablationon on my Lumbar I returned to the Philippines only for my pain to return as they missed the nerves on the right side. I spent most of 3 months in bed or in a recliner in pain before I returned to the US for more treatment in March. Unfortunately after a few days in the US I got Covid and then had to postpone my treatment and reschedule which pushed back my treatment another month making my two months stay a 3 month stay. During my evaluations at Stanford it was decided I needed 8 procedures over 4 weeks. First I had to do a month of physical therapy and walking a few miles a day to build the muscle I had lost while in bed for three months. This required me to take pain medication to cope. Something unavailable in the Philippines. This really helped but I can not take this regularly as it's addictive and not good for my liver.
Next I did the phollowing procedures.
1. Remove Stem Router from Rt Shoulder. It was no longer needed after 5 years and causing me discomfort.
2. 1st of three trigger point injections procedures from my neck to my lumbar.
3. 1dt of 2 Radio Frequency Ablationon on my Lumbar.
4. 2nd Trigger Point Injection procedure.
5. 2nd Radio Frequency Ablationon on my Lumbar.
6. Extract wisdom tooth and a bone graph.
7. 3rd Trigger Point Injection procedure.
8. The grand finale was 6 days in Stanford for Ketamine infusion therapy. This was uncomfortable but I had incredible nurses. One I nicknamed Ninja Nurse.
My trip was definitely challenging due to securing housing as my stay was extended over a month. But I located a Airbnb that was a care home previously and had rooms and a bathroom available for disabled. The owner was also very helpful as she was a professional Caregiver and she often gave me rides to and from the hospital. I definitely was surrounded by Angels.
On May 5th I arrived back in the Philippines and on the 8th I resumed my daily walks. 2.1 miles and I get a mile more in by the end of the day. My goal now is to lose much weight to reduce the pressure on my back. I lost 20 lbs walking my 2nd month in the US. The 3rd month I maintained the weigh loss as I was resting from my procedures throughout the month and only walking a mile plus a day when I walked.
So now I'm Pain free and yesterday I got my oral surgery stitches out. So things are looking good moving forward.
My entire time back in the US was a little stressful. The politics, crime, homeless issues and mentally ill issues was very common to see. I noticed people were not as friendly also. So I can't tell you how relieved I was when I landed back in Davao. All the stress and anxiety of what I had to deal with in the US was gone and I found myself very happy. I'm not sure how much longer I'll stay here in the Philippines this time but if I had to decide today I'd say hopefully for years.
