As some of you already know, 2013 hasn’t exactly been kind to me or, particularly my family. My better half Tracy, is still dealing with a cancer issue although, after minor surgery, things are looking much better than they were. She has been back to work for several months and is doing well. Shortly after Tracy’s diagnosis and subsequent surgery, we lost my grandson in April. He had issues that would deny him a normal quality of life. The majority of his organs was outside of his body and not developed. The problem was so severe that Doctors told my daughter that nothing could be done to help him and the decision was made to remove him from life support. He died in my arms 25 hours after his birth. It was the worst case the Doctors here in Buffalo and in Philadelphia had ever seen.
As for me, things seem to be escalating. Since the beginning of March, I have dealt with severe pain in my neck and shoulders. Being typically stubborn, I didn’t go to see a Doctor until I could no longer lift my head up straight or turn my head in any direction or use my right arm. I finally went to the Doctor in mid July and was diagnosed with a herniated disc at the base of my neck. As it turns out, I have several discs that are compressed and pinching the nerves for my shoulders, particularly my right one. It is difficult to sit in any position for more than 10 minutes or to be able to lie down and get comfortable. The pain is constant and has impacted every movement I try to make and made me a bit irritable (Tracy might suggest that my irritability is more than ‘a bit’, LOL).
I’ve had X-Rays and an MRI to determine exactly what is going on. The MRI also had an ‘incidental finding’ as it was described to me. Besides showing the damage to my C5 & C6 vertebrae, which are basically bone on bone, they found a cist on my throat. Without saying it directly, my Neurologist made it sound like it could be cancerous and that I needed it to be looked at immediately. He suggested that I see an Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialist which, I am scheduled to see on Tuesday, to determine what it is and what treatment might be necessary.
Also a major concern is the soreness at the bottom of my back and left hip which has made it impossible to stand or walk for more than 10 minutes. The area is so tender that movement is nearly impossible at some points and I’ve needed assistance just to sit down. My Neurologist wants to get my neck corrected and healed before addressing this problem. As long as I recover well from the neck surgery, he will schedule tests sometime in late November or early December.
I am scheduled to have the C5 & C6 vertebrae fused with a plastic spacer and titanium metal plate on September 26th, providing that I don’t need treatment for the cist. After the neck surgery, I will be unable to do much of anything for at least the first 3 weeks, with a recovery time of 8 weeks. That puts me out of work until at least Thanksgiving.
All being said, I’ve been out of work since July 17th and it is already putting a tremendous strain on my financial abilities. Every visit to a Doctor and every follow-up visit, and every procedure that is done, I have Co-pay. My Disability Benefits will run out long before my recovery is complete.
As an alternate means of financial support, I will be liquidating my entire inventory, most of which will be put up for auction on eBay, through my store – “Through the Drinking Glass”. A lot of it is common stuff with some harder to find things mixed in. I am also open to any private sales, if I have anything that is of interest to any Member or anyone who might be looking for something in particular. If you have a list, feel free to send it to my email foxyguy66@yahoo.com. At one time, I collected many different genres; they included Sports, Peanut Butter glasses, Miscellaneous Advertising, Super Hero, and of course, Cartoon glasses.
I will still be open to collecting my passion – Measuring Glasses. Although paying for new glasses for the Collection may be difficult, trades will be welcomed and certainly, any pictures of Measuring Glasses that can be added to my web site’s Want List. You can visit my web site at www.ameasureoftime.com to get an idea of what I’m searching for. I encourage anyone reading this to help me in my search for 'new' old Measuring Glasses, with anything you might have or see while hunting; I am going to have a lot of idle time in the coming months. Positive attitude is paramount to a good recovery and I can’t think of a better way to have a positive attitude than to lean on my three passions in life – Tracy, my Family, and my Collecting/Collection. Of course, the Collecting/Collection part of it all includes the Club and fellow Members/Friends whose encouragement and input is important to me.
It was not my intention to be so long-winded here. I’ve been able to see several of you recently and to talk with others through phone calls and e-mail. After briefly discussing the issues with Fred, I decided to post something here on the Message Board so as to be able to update everyone. Being an Officer, I wanted everyone to know why I haven’t responded to posts or queries or been at any Meetings. I simply have not been able to sit or walk for very long and find myself exhausted after doing simple things. I couldn’t even finish this post without having to get up from the chair several times to try and lie down and relax.
I would like to thank everyone who has already offered their prayers, positive attitude, and well wishes. My gratitude to all of you can not be fully expressed. I wish everyone Good Health & Happy Hunting!
Matt Stoll
Member-At-Large
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