There are some good answers here, @Ina I. Wonder ... personally I'd want to know *precisely* what the chance of paralysis is. More than 10% and I'd rather deal with the pain in other ways. Maybe I should make that 5%... not real comfortable with 10. I don't see it as a "nothing to lose" issue because the very thing that can go wrong with the spine is a *big* thing to lose. But that would be my major concern... percentages. And I'd not trust just one opinion either. Best of luck with whatever you decide! Oh, I trust WebMD and here's what they say, just to give you a little less to have to research. No percentages listed, but there are some considerations: Risks Nerve blocks can cause serious complications, including paralysis and damage to the arteries that supply blood to the spinal cord. Other possible side effects include severely low blood pressure (hypotension), accidental injection of the alcohol or phenol into an artery, puncture of the lung, damage to the kidneys, diarrhea, and weakness in the legs. Nerve blocks are not recommended if you have a disease that affects blood clotting, are taking blood-thinning drugs (such as heparin or warfarin), have a bowel obstruction, or have any type of uncontrolled infection.
@Crissy Page , I wish I had someone that I could stay with, but if I do the nerve block I'll probable hire someone to come stay a bit with me. I really can't afford it, but what do you do? I'm really trying to learn to take full responsibility for myself now that most of my family are gone, but having never been single it is an unknown concept for me, and I seem to be floundering most of the time. I guess it is one reason I try to listen to you, I know you have experienced the in's and out's of living on your own for 12 years. So I get what you are talking about. I hope I can be as strong as you, @Mari North , when my doctor asked me me to concider the nerve block he told me that I shouldn't do it very often because of the risk. But if he can get a better idea about which and how the nerves are being affected, then we can set up a tailored physical therapy schedule to try and help my pain, and be able to cut back on the pain meds. They are starting to aggravate my intestines, of which I only have 2/3 rd left. From what I'm reading, the pro's and con's seem to be about equal. I don't know how to find the percentages you spoke of. Somethings are just over my head, and no matter what do, techie and online stuff are high on that list.
Since you have Medicare, they should maybe provide a nurse to help you after the operation . When I had the heart operation, that was one of the things that they asked me was whether there was anyone who could look after me afterwards. If I had been alone, then they would have sent a nurse to help me, at least to check in with me , but not to be there all of the time. If they will give you some kind of home care afterwards, and your family who lives close to you can also take turns helping you, then that should help a whole lot. Your doctor should be able to tell you what Medicare will provide for you, and that might be one of the questions , as well as finding out the likelihood of complications. I agree with @Mari North, that if the chance are high of complications, then dealing with the pain another way might be safer; but if they can give you a good chance of no serious issues, then it would be worth taking the chances of making your life better. Thi was what I had to really question my doctor about before I had the heart surgery , because I knew that my health was already so bad that the chances of a good outcome would be less than if I had been in even a little better health. Still, I knew that if I didn't do something, I would continue to get worse (and probably have been dead long since); so for me the risk was worth it.