I just received a note indicating that tomorrow will be the First year anniversary since our Spine-Health friend Ben (Agriman) passed away.
We lost a good member, someone who was always trying to help out others plus he had a tremendous sense of humor and always found different ways to make things lighter and more cheerful for the members of Spine-Health.
Ben, here's looking up at you.....
Ron DiLauro (aka PapaRon)
Ron's Story
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"In his eyes we're all the same Someday we'll all have perfect wings, Don't laugh at me
The information provided by members of Spine-Health should never be considered as formal medical advice. It is recommendations based on member's personal experiences only.
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When I wrote my first post Ben was there to greet me. He always had a sense of humor. Thanks Ben. God saw you were tired and he needed you there...Gone but not forgotten. Charry
My 2nd MRI showed no herniated disc and no stenosis. Mild loss of signal intensity in intervertebral discs L1-S1 and mild loss of height from L1-L4. Mild DDD throughout the lumber spine. Still have back pain and some leg tingling, numbness though. 3rd opinion Neurosurgeon Oct. 6, 2009.
1st report last year Feb. 2008.
L5-S1 herniated disc with annular tear with disc material in contact with L5 exiting nerve, arthropy facet joints L4-L5. 5 Epidurals. Facet joint injections and 64 trigger point injections. Off work 21 months due to back and leg pain. Not a surgical candidate x 2 Ortho opinions. (history C5-7 osteoarthritis and DDD)
Infrared Platinum heating pad 4x/day and while sitting.
MS Contin 120mg, Cymbalta 60mg, lasix 20mg, Diovan for B/P . oxazepam 30mg for sleep. Excercise ball, recumbent stationary bicycle 30 mins. day, posture-pump for lower back. Tried PT, accupuncture, traction. Pool therapy Oct. 27/2009
http://www.livestrong.com/article/14700-self-affirmations/
Charry
I miss all of our music trivia contests. No one could hold a candle to you there!
"C"
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. "
- Dolly Parton
I think of you often and can't believe it's been 1 year. Being computer illiterate, you helped me alot.
Jim
click my name to see my medical history
Play with the cards you were delt... I said that
Your sense of humor really lightened and brightened many days here. You are truly missed.
I am in no way associated with the medical field. Anything that I post comes from personal experience only.
DDD, Facet Arthropathy, DJD,Collapsed Disc, Sleep Apnea
PT, Epidurals, Facet Blocks,Medial Branch Block, Rhizotomy,Discogram,Annular Tare L3/L4 Endoscopic MicroD and PLDD,
Methadone, Percocet, Baclofen, Welbutrin
Sometimes, when I'm reading older threads, I'll see one from him with that big 'ole grin of his....
I miss him too. I do notice how the site has changed since he is no longer here... Definitely missing something - his humor, his expertise, his light...
Rest in Peace, Ben Agriman. Keep the light on for us, okay?
JEAUX
I am not a medical professional. BUT, I DID stay in a Holiday Inn last week...
Don't get your knickers in a knot; it solves nothing and makes you walk funny.
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am sorry that I have not responded before now but I was in the middle of moving and was not online....
I think of Ben everyday and how we would always share coffee together ( online ) and watch the sun come up together....I miss him more than words could ever say....he was a bright light to me and always a source of such comfort.
His B-Day is tomorrow.....Happy B-Day Ben , I know God is throwing a great B-Day Bash for you....you so deserve it!!!!!!!
To Vicki and Dell , I send much love and many prayers your way to get through this difficult time...
I miss you Ben....thank you for watching over us all!!!!!!
I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. E.A. Poe
So Live Your Life And Live It Well . There's Not Much Left Of Me To Tell , I Just Got Back Up Each Time I Fell!!!!
6\2007 MRI...C4-C5 Disc Degeneration..C5-C6 Central disc protusion effacing the ventral aspect of the thecal sac..right foraminal encroachment. C6-C7 Osteophytes.7\2007 ACDF C5-C6 with Titanium Plate and Screws..Donor Bone..Bone Spurs Removed. 11\2007 Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and RLS. 1\2008 MRI..Scoliosis of the Lower Thoracic. 5\2008-6\2008...Medial Branch Blocks and Ablation.
7\2008..Myelogram..C4-C5 Disc Degeneration with Disc Bulge\Herniation..C6-C7 Broad Based Disc Bulge\Herniation..Tune into tomorrow for the next episode of....10\2008...UPDATE:First time having a Pain Management Doctor and I am trying a different medicine regime , waiting to see what will happen next!!!!!!
Suicide Help Resources
SUICIDE HOTLINE:
USA: 1-800-784-2433
UK : 08457 90 90 90
ROI: 1850 60 90 90
For Ben....Rest In Peace My Friend....We Love You and Miss You!!!!!!
When I first came here to S-H, Agriman(Ben) was here to make me feel welcome and forget about any pain or discomfort. I never have met Ben face to face but I felt as if I knew him forever even though it was a very short time. When I think back of all the laughs we shared with others here I can't help but smile. I cannot believe he has already been gone a year. I only wish I could have been there for Ben, the guy who dubbed me his wingman as we share the same first name, similar ideas, and sense of humor.
Ranger (aka wingman for Ben) forever.
I was not overly friendly with Ben, but I certainly remember him from several threads. The last I remember, he was going back to work. He must have passed right before I had surgery. What happened, and why did I not know?
Linda
Ruptured discs L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 May 2007
One ESI in 2007 with lots of PT
Microdiscectomy and foraminotomy L5/S1 December 2007
Worsening of symptoms (back pain, sciatica, right leg weakness) June 2008
New MRI and Discogram show all three discs torn through the annulus, left to right, all three levels
2 ESIs unsuccessful in managing pain
PT, Duragesic pain patch and percocet for break-through
Was told nothing could be done for me because I had three levels and DDD
Given option of three-level fusion after being told nothing could be done
Surgery was November 19, 2008 fusing L3/4 to S1
Attempted PLIF (from both sides) on November 19th.
Rods and pins were placed, but scar tissues prohibited removal of the old discs.
On November 24th, I had ALIF (opened from top of pubic bone to the bottom of my left ribcage) and removed the torn discs, placed dowels with cadaver bone, and some of my own bone marrow mixed with BMP. I left the hospital on the 26th of November.
Currently suffering temporary (hopefully) nerve damage of both legs and total numbness of right foot. Strange tingling in both feet at 4.5 months out of surgery. Numbness still exists in right foot at almost 9 months out.
Weaned off Fentanyl patches and only take occasional percocet for pain.
PM sent
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. "
- Dolly Parton
miss you lots Ben.... L, Jenny
Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis
When some one no longer posts I always imagine they are off having a better life in a better place. I pray this is true for Ben.
Linda
Ruptured discs L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 May 2007
One ESI in 2007 with lots of PT
Microdiscectomy and foraminotomy L5/S1 December 2007
Worsening of symptoms (back pain, sciatica, right leg weakness) June 2008
New MRI and Discogram show all three discs torn through the annulus, left to right, all three levels
2 ESIs unsuccessful in managing pain
PT, Duragesic pain patch and percocet for break-through
Was told nothing could be done for me because I had three levels and DDD
Given option of three-level fusion after being told nothing could be done
Surgery was November 19, 2008 fusing L3/4 to S1
Attempted PLIF (from both sides) on November 19th.
Rods and pins were placed, but scar tissues prohibited removal of the old discs.
On November 24th, I had ALIF (opened from top of pubic bone to the bottom of my left ribcage) and removed the torn discs, placed dowels with cadaver bone, and some of my own bone marrow mixed with BMP. I left the hospital on the 26th of November.
Currently suffering temporary (hopefully) nerve damage of both legs and total numbness of right foot. Strange tingling in both feet at 4.5 months out of surgery. Numbness still exists in right foot at almost 9 months out.
Weaned off Fentanyl patches and only take occasional percocet for pain.
Linda , it is.....
I became insane, with long intervals of horrible sanity. E.A. Poe
So Live Your Life And Live It Well . There's Not Much Left Of Me To Tell , I Just Got Back Up Each Time I Fell!!!!
6\2007 MRI...C4-C5 Disc Degeneration..C5-C6 Central disc protusion effacing the ventral aspect of the thecal sac..right foraminal encroachment. C6-C7 Osteophytes.7\2007 ACDF C5-C6 with Titanium Plate and Screws..Donor Bone..Bone Spurs Removed. 11\2007 Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and RLS. 1\2008 MRI..Scoliosis of the Lower Thoracic. 5\2008-6\2008...Medial Branch Blocks and Ablation.
7\2008..Myelogram..C4-C5 Disc Degeneration with Disc Bulge\Herniation..C6-C7 Broad Based Disc Bulge\Herniation..Tune into tomorrow for the next episode of....10\2008...UPDATE:First time having a Pain Management Doctor and I am trying a different medicine regime , waiting to see what will happen next!!!!!!
Suicide Help Resources
SUICIDE HOTLINE:
USA: 1-800-784-2433
UK : 08457 90 90 90
ROI: 1850 60 90 90
For Ben....Rest In Peace My Friend....We Love You and Miss You!!!!!!