- Joined
- Mar 24, 2012
- Messages
- 3,306
- Location
- NOVA
Hello All-
Debated whether to put this up or not, but since many of the members here know me personal & close enough to know of the 22 Surgeries in 2016 alone, the massive amounts of Pain Medications I take on a daily basis, and the incredibly brutal, sharp pain still felt within my Cervical Spine, they persuaded me to put it up. ALL of this, is a result of the massive IED Blast I was involved in back in 2004 in Iraq! Decades ago and still haunts me with the incredible suicidal ideation related pain!!
First - (SORRY ON LENGTH HERE)
I believe it was someone within this forum who taught me what the acronym "TLDR" meant. Something a member puts up which is at first glance entirely over the top - hence "Too Long Didn't Read" which is completely understandable and no offense taken if anyone here takes that route - but perhaps instead of letting me know in public, just say it to yourself please?
Most of this is copied from my Facebook page and then Redacted to fit into this special family of ours here! Again, sorry for length and no offense if you decide to go with "TLDR"
--------------------------------------------------------------
FROM FACEBOOK
"Gunny Fitz" added 5 new photos on Facebook - feeling nervous.
For the last 34 minutes I've sent msg after msg to Family & Friends informing them that I'm doing well after the surgery I've been trying hard to put off for so long! Then I figured may as well do it all at once using this method instead so that everyone will be informed = less ???
This morning I had a Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulation Device inserted into my spinal cord (literally inside all the spinal Vertabra itself!) He inserted the large needles, containing the wire leads inside, from about T-3, all the way up to C-1 - which according to my awesome Dr, was miraculous due to all the "exterior" scarring and visible arthritis! He was somehow able to get wires up to C-1, which you can see in the X-rays. All to help prevent my unreal Pain.
Fast forward - the "Brain" unit extends out of my back about a foot and is taped to my back as seen on pic. It has a connective piece on my end, which when connected to the SCS "Remote Control" I am able to change the Stimulation "Pulse Rates & Programs" the Medtronics Rep, who was present during it, set up. (If anyone knows what a "TENS UNIT" is - think of that inside my spinal cord actually touching the cord itself too! So I'm "Buzzing" right now as I type!
I have 5 days to "test drive" this unit to observe if any pain relief is gained. Another forum I am on for other SCS patients who've had the same surgery done have informed me how Over the Moon happy they are thanks to their SCS Implant, and some not so lucky too. (Of course my screen name is none other than "Gunny Fitz" on that site too! IF relief is found, then a permanent implant is done using a higher end unit that has many more features that detect my exact body position during use to ensure I don't electrocute myself.
If decided to go with Permanent Implant, at that time the Brain Unit will be inserted into a cut above my belt line on hip, and a better remote will work it's programs. (Hopefully, my wife doesnt pick that one up to change a channel, thus sending me in a TOTAL electrical spasm!!! Either way everyone, hopefully I'll be able to figure out if it truly works enough for me to make a decision. Right now I'm having intense pulses run down my right arm to fingertips NOT on specific point on my Cervical Spine - adjustment being made tomorrow.
My back looks like a mess with external wires etc. Whats cool is that the final version unit allows me to go try MRI Machines without it being ripped from my back too! Battery life is like 5-10 years but can also be wirelessly charged too - just like my Samsung Galaxy!! lmfao!
**THIS PART WRITTEN DIRECT FOR THE FORUM
I post this here with you my fellow Ducati Lovers, because the injury in 2004 is what ended my Club Racing career, ended track days - though I did 2-3 after I first got back from Iraq, before things got so bad and the pain was so extreme and spasms bad enough to lock my neck in any position and within my back, so bad I have a video of it thumping like a massive caged alien under the skin! Sold most all my bikes, gear, and identity being so deeply involved with this awesome sport folks! Some of you made out big time with those sales!
Since I cannot even RIDE around the block anymore, my poor 1199s Tricolore sits within a heated garage on two stands, connected to the absolute BEST Optimate 4 Battery Maintainer which has kept it alive - and able to start on first trigger of the starter!! And yes, this dream bike Ive built up so much I lost count of how much I put into it all - and which I will of course take a massive loss when some seriously lucky individual takes ownership of this pristine Tri (As said, those close friends, many who've seen it in person, know exactly what I mean by seriously Modded Out) Oh well.
Sorry for the "TLDR" Thread. and sorry I don't have anymore graphic photos of the surgery itself too. Just figured that if one day you no longer see ANYTHING from me on posts or PM replies, it may mean I took my last Ducati rip and did a massive Stand Up Wheelie past the Pearly Gates my friends!!! Until then,
Semper Fidelis,
Gunny Fitz Out................................
Ps. A variety of pics (Unsure how many will fit) Xray Pic shows how far up the Wired Leads go up under my skull to C-1 (You can see the black magnetic pieces) You'll see what my back looked like after all was done. Then of course there is this link below most of you have seen, which gives several pics of the current 1199s Tricolore with most all the Mods a new Owner will get for a steal!
Brocks Performance: Retired Marine Corps First Sergeant Rolls with BST
FYI- the shots with just tiny visible holes are from the 45 Trigger Point Injections to calm the unreal muscle spams - looks like a swarm of wasps attacked me. Pic of Camo Colored 748R was last time on VIR Track in last CCS race before I was deployed to Iraq (Hence Color by CCR) Me in Iraq & Humvee I was in AFTER IED Blast, and whatever else I can fit.
Debated whether to put this up or not, but since many of the members here know me personal & close enough to know of the 22 Surgeries in 2016 alone, the massive amounts of Pain Medications I take on a daily basis, and the incredibly brutal, sharp pain still felt within my Cervical Spine, they persuaded me to put it up. ALL of this, is a result of the massive IED Blast I was involved in back in 2004 in Iraq! Decades ago and still haunts me with the incredible suicidal ideation related pain!!
First - (SORRY ON LENGTH HERE)
I believe it was someone within this forum who taught me what the acronym "TLDR" meant. Something a member puts up which is at first glance entirely over the top - hence "Too Long Didn't Read" which is completely understandable and no offense taken if anyone here takes that route - but perhaps instead of letting me know in public, just say it to yourself please?
Most of this is copied from my Facebook page and then Redacted to fit into this special family of ours here! Again, sorry for length and no offense if you decide to go with "TLDR"
--------------------------------------------------------------
FROM FACEBOOK
"Gunny Fitz" added 5 new photos on Facebook - feeling nervous.
For the last 34 minutes I've sent msg after msg to Family & Friends informing them that I'm doing well after the surgery I've been trying hard to put off for so long! Then I figured may as well do it all at once using this method instead so that everyone will be informed = less ???
This morning I had a Medtronic Spinal Cord Stimulation Device inserted into my spinal cord (literally inside all the spinal Vertabra itself!) He inserted the large needles, containing the wire leads inside, from about T-3, all the way up to C-1 - which according to my awesome Dr, was miraculous due to all the "exterior" scarring and visible arthritis! He was somehow able to get wires up to C-1, which you can see in the X-rays. All to help prevent my unreal Pain.
Fast forward - the "Brain" unit extends out of my back about a foot and is taped to my back as seen on pic. It has a connective piece on my end, which when connected to the SCS "Remote Control" I am able to change the Stimulation "Pulse Rates & Programs" the Medtronics Rep, who was present during it, set up. (If anyone knows what a "TENS UNIT" is - think of that inside my spinal cord actually touching the cord itself too! So I'm "Buzzing" right now as I type!
I have 5 days to "test drive" this unit to observe if any pain relief is gained. Another forum I am on for other SCS patients who've had the same surgery done have informed me how Over the Moon happy they are thanks to their SCS Implant, and some not so lucky too. (Of course my screen name is none other than "Gunny Fitz" on that site too! IF relief is found, then a permanent implant is done using a higher end unit that has many more features that detect my exact body position during use to ensure I don't electrocute myself.
If decided to go with Permanent Implant, at that time the Brain Unit will be inserted into a cut above my belt line on hip, and a better remote will work it's programs. (Hopefully, my wife doesnt pick that one up to change a channel, thus sending me in a TOTAL electrical spasm!!! Either way everyone, hopefully I'll be able to figure out if it truly works enough for me to make a decision. Right now I'm having intense pulses run down my right arm to fingertips NOT on specific point on my Cervical Spine - adjustment being made tomorrow.
My back looks like a mess with external wires etc. Whats cool is that the final version unit allows me to go try MRI Machines without it being ripped from my back too! Battery life is like 5-10 years but can also be wirelessly charged too - just like my Samsung Galaxy!! lmfao!
**THIS PART WRITTEN DIRECT FOR THE FORUM
I post this here with you my fellow Ducati Lovers, because the injury in 2004 is what ended my Club Racing career, ended track days - though I did 2-3 after I first got back from Iraq, before things got so bad and the pain was so extreme and spasms bad enough to lock my neck in any position and within my back, so bad I have a video of it thumping like a massive caged alien under the skin! Sold most all my bikes, gear, and identity being so deeply involved with this awesome sport folks! Some of you made out big time with those sales!
Since I cannot even RIDE around the block anymore, my poor 1199s Tricolore sits within a heated garage on two stands, connected to the absolute BEST Optimate 4 Battery Maintainer which has kept it alive - and able to start on first trigger of the starter!! And yes, this dream bike Ive built up so much I lost count of how much I put into it all - and which I will of course take a massive loss when some seriously lucky individual takes ownership of this pristine Tri (As said, those close friends, many who've seen it in person, know exactly what I mean by seriously Modded Out) Oh well.
Sorry for the "TLDR" Thread. and sorry I don't have anymore graphic photos of the surgery itself too. Just figured that if one day you no longer see ANYTHING from me on posts or PM replies, it may mean I took my last Ducati rip and did a massive Stand Up Wheelie past the Pearly Gates my friends!!! Until then,
Semper Fidelis,
Gunny Fitz Out................................
Ps. A variety of pics (Unsure how many will fit) Xray Pic shows how far up the Wired Leads go up under my skull to C-1 (You can see the black magnetic pieces) You'll see what my back looked like after all was done. Then of course there is this link below most of you have seen, which gives several pics of the current 1199s Tricolore with most all the Mods a new Owner will get for a steal!
Brocks Performance: Retired Marine Corps First Sergeant Rolls with BST
FYI- the shots with just tiny visible holes are from the 45 Trigger Point Injections to calm the unreal muscle spams - looks like a swarm of wasps attacked me. Pic of Camo Colored 748R was last time on VIR Track in last CCS race before I was deployed to Iraq (Hence Color by CCR) Me in Iraq & Humvee I was in AFTER IED Blast, and whatever else I can fit.
