Medical Follow-up

I have spent the past 11 days in Kiev undergoing a first level treatment for what has been diagnosed as a herniated disc in my cervical vertebrae (neck bones). According to what I have heard and read, around more than 90% of people with this issue take 6-8 weeks to heal without surgery. The first thing we tried was anti-inflammatory pills. Then we added an adhesive with anti-inflammatory medicine in it. Next, we added more pills to reduce muscle swelling in the neck. Then I started physical therapy which consisted solely of a daily neck massage. I had to keep telling people I had physical therapy because if I said I was going for a massage, in their eyes it sort of trivialized my injury. These massages, although not as painful as I expected, were a bit rough when concentrated on the most painful areas. I was also given an anti-inflammatory injection for six days in a row. The first night after I got the injection I remarked that it was the first time since the slip that I was absolutely pain free. I woke the next morning with some pain and have not gotten rid of it totally since then. Additionally, I was given an orthopedic pillow and been instructed to wear this plastic neck brace at all times except when sleeping and showering. It is used to take some of the head weight off of the neck and put it onto the shoulders. It looks ridiculous, but actually does serve its purpose pretty well. We (the doctors and I) have agreed that there is not much more that could be done except surgery, but before taking that step, we need to wait the 6-8 weeks to see if it heals on its own. I have also been told that the amount of radiation I have been exposed to between 4 x-rays and one MRI (I didn't think that they even used radiation) prevents me from getting additional x-rays at this time to see if any improvement has been made. I have been sleeping through the night- every night, since the treatments started, which is a remarkable improvement in itself.
If the Peace Corps doctors in Washington decide I need surgery I would be medevac'd to either Washington or Bangkok. The thing is that each Peace Corps region of the world has a go to site for serious medical issues. The Eastern European countries are linked with Southeast Asia- therefore Thailand is our go to place. It has to be located in a country where Peace Corps is active- which is why we wouldn't be sent to Germany. If the medical office thinks you will be recovered and sent back to site, they will send you to Bangkok. But if they think you will not recover within forty five days, then they send you to D.C. for treatment and probable medical separation from service. If it is serious enough to warrant surgery, this would be the one time that I wouldn't want an all expenses paid trip to Bangkok. And really wouldn't want to be sent to Washington. Only time will tell...or 6-8 weeks, whichever comes first.

Me and the thing that causes more stares than that time I wore shorts on a chilly day. Luckily, it is only for a few more days.