I'm so sorry I didn't update you all sooner! We were so tuckered out last night I missed this thread altogether.
We know more now, but just don't know what's happening, where, and when. Howie definitely needs surgery for the stenosis. The doctor said it wouldn't be good to wait until he started exhibiting more symptoms because they might not be reversible. Good thing is, he said the procedure would not be as involved as what Howie had done the first time.
Howie's fatigue, additional pain and nausea is likely from the myleogram, doc said. He needs to take it easy for three or four days, doctor's orders. Gee, twist Howie's arm and make him take time off from work. He's so glad the doctor told him that, because he's really hurting from the drive and sitting in up straight in chairs today. He's off work through Tuesday, and it's a good thing even if it does slurp up all those vacation days.
The doctor was great about our wanting a second opinion from Johns Hopkins and said we shouldn't ever worry about hurting anyones' feelings, that it's important for patients to go where they feel the most comfortable. What an awesome guy he is, so good at explaining things.
He had his secretary call the referral line and, five people later, she got the contact info for a doctor there. Dr. Khaled Kebaish is a scoliosis specialist, an orthopedic spine surgeon, I think. The doctor's faxing him all the reports about Howie for review, along with his demographic info. That doctor will go over everything and make a decision as to whether they'll take his case.
In the meantime, in case JH does want to set up an appointment for consultation, we picked up Howie's remaining films from the hospital so we have everything ready to go with us.
Guess we'll just take it as a door closing for JH if they don't ask him to come for a consult. We'll just have to wait and see. The hospital and neurologists here are very good, too, so either way we feel Howie will be in good hands.
Kimberley
Fingers crossed for Monday. 
