Today, I received my MRI results. There are three components to the results.
First, my C5 and C6 (or maybe it was C4 and C5) vertebrae are protruding. This is a permanent condition and will cause my minor discomfort forever. Although technically repairable with surgery they do not recommend it. That is not visible on this photo but it’s in the neck area close to where it joins the spinal column. This is, of course, a direct result of the accident.
Second, my muscle in my neck is actually torn. This is from the whiplash I received in the accident. This is a trauma injury and there’s no other explanation for it. There is no fix for this. I’m not sure exactly which muscle it is, but it’s near the big red dot. If you want to know, I’ll press it for you and show you.
Third, there was a large white spot on the MRI. He grabbed another one, at first thinking there was a spot on it. They took a total of 14 sheets of results and the spot was on all of them regardless of the angle. The spot is bright white almost-silver looking, and a bit smaller than a golf-ball. Two other doctors work with him, and he said he’d never seen anything quite like it, took the MRI and went and consulted with the other doctor (leaving me in the exam room). He came back and said they were pretty sure it was a fluid pocket between the muscle and the spinal column. He’s not sure why it’s there, how it got there, but suspects it’s related to the accident only because it’s the same whiplash/tear/pain area I have.
Lastly, and this was the fun part (sarcasm), I got a cortisone shot where the big red dot is. I’ve had a few in my knee before. And while relatively painful, they aren’t much fun. I would recommend against ever letting anyone stick one of those horse needles in your neck going all the way in towards your spine, squirting the cortisone in as they pull out. It hurts in a way I will not describe. He says I can return to the Chiropractor next week.
On the plus side, every result I’ve had to date all indicates the damage is the result of this accident. That means I have a good case against the heathens at Progressive (the insurance company of the lady who hit us). Since they refuse to pay so far, there will be a lawyer involved soon. I will find the meanest, nastiest, most expensive lawyer there is. Why? I don’t believe in being vindictive when treated fairly, but Progressive has gone out of their way to stonewall and insult me. They have no business writing insurance in the state. I’ve already filed one formal complaint against them with our state’s insurance commissioner after they lied to me. I can see myself filing more complaints. If you know a good accident injury attorney, please e-mail me.
I have a review in four weeks. More then.
Addendum 8-22-08:
I must mention that when I first talked to this adjuster “Greg” he really went off on chiropractors and how they don’t work. He said he felt that “you get used to them and become dependent on them.” I greeted that with silence after which he added “but that’s just my opinion.” It was on obvious ploy to get me thinking about chiropractors in a bad way. It did make me think: but about how scummy Progressive Insurance is. He asked me to have my doctor send the medical records over when he called today. Honestly, considering their repeated bad-faith efforts, I don’t feel it’s in my interests.
Addendum 8-23-08:
This brings to mind something I discussed with my friends some months ago, not that long after the accident: maybe 6 weeks or so but never posted here. (This was right before I got the letter sending me for the independent evaluation — the one where they confirmed my injuries were the result of the accident so that really backfired on the insurance company. I’m still amused. That’s in a previous blog post.) I thought I’d throw it in because this blog is going to be useful since it’s becoming increasingly apparent that I will need a lawyer. One evening around 530 or 6pm, I got a knock at my door. It was a guy wearing a uniform much like the Crocodile Hunter guy wore and said he was “from the lawn service” here to give me an estimate. I was immediately suspicious because we have a gated community, and I didn’t let him in and there was no lawn equipment anywhere and he didn’t even have a car. Which means it was parked out of sight. I also know who the community lawn service is, and it wasn’t his company. I asked him who hired him. He said, “I just do work around here for your neighbours” and I asked which neighbours. He couldn’t answer any of the questions. Not one. I asked him how he got in. He didn’t answer. I asked him where his truck was, and he left. It was pretty obvious from looking at the guy he’d never done any lawn work in his life: he was white like an Englishman in December. I probably should have called the cops and made his life hell, but I wasn’t overly concerned as he was clearly harmless.
I just through I’d throw this out there so you guys can see what I’m dealing with this.