Dot H Story
I had no idea what was wrong with me...for a VERY long time! I had, over the years, several operations for unrelated illness's.
Following my gallbladder surgery had was plagued with hives EVERY day for over 5 years. None of the doctors I was referred to could come up with any reason I had them or any medications, ointments, creams or treatments to cure or stop them.
My complaints leading up to, finally, the discovery of my spinal ependy were pain in my right buttock which radiated out through my hip and down my right leg. It made walking any distance very painful. It got progressivly worse and after ruling out everything he could think to check for my Doctor referred me to Dr. Charles Theofilos a neuro-surgeon in Palm Beach Gardens, (West Palm Beach Florida.)
I saw Dr. Theofilos and within 2 weeks thereafter I was in the hospital and had the Spinal Ependy L1-L3 removed.
I talked with Dr Theofilos following the surgery about the chance of another ependy coming about. He told me that these are slow growing and that I probably had mine for many years. and...Frankly because of my advancing age I probably could go on and not worry about ever having this problem again.
Following surgery and a short recovery time (a couple of months) I felt pretty good. Walking was much easier and alot more comfortable. I began getting active again.
Less then a year following the surgery I began having the same symptoms which brought me to Dr Theofilos. MRI's were taken and no results told any answers. Perhaps its just age.
Dot is a Past President of the American Legion Auxilliary Unit 64, Okeechobee Florida. Her daughter Penny, both of her Granddaughters are active members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 64 in Okeechobee, Florida. All 3 of her Great Grandsons are active members of the Sons of The American Legion, Squadron 64.
Last MRI Results we are watching close with the Doctors.