170: Jess survived myxopapillary ependymoma | pregabalin | duloxetine | spinal cord stimulator | lower lumbar

When Jess began to feel pain in her right leg in 2020, she thought it was sciatica.  When extreme pain radiated to her lower back, a physical therapist thought she had a bulging disc.  However, her condition worsened, she went in for an MRI, and it revealed a tumor originally thought to be on her spinal cord.  Further tests indicated the tumor was inside her spinal cord and a diagnosis of myxopapillary ependymoma, a rare cancer.  The tumor was surgically removed, but her post-treatment life was very difficult.  There were prolonged instances in which she could not move her legs, which brought her to tears not only from the pain, but the chilling thought of the rest of her being spent in bed or on the couch.  Jess went through all sorts of medications from morphine to medical marijuana, but medical savior was a spinal cord stimulator.  It has enabled her to maximize her movements with little or no pain.   In 2020, Jess led an active lifestyle.  It included soccer and other activities with two young sons.  But she started experiencing pain in her right leg.  She thought it was sciatica but believed it would go away.  When it didn't, and pain radiated to her lower back, she saw a physical therapist, who thought Jess had a bulging disc.  One night at home, Jess fell and said one of her sons looked her in the eye and told her she needed to see a doctor.   Jess underwent an MRI.  It indicated she had a tumor on or near her spinal cord.  Doctors were initially baffled because they could not pinpoint the tumor's location, but additional tests showed the tumor was inside her spinal cord.  A surgical procedure to remove the tumor was completed successfully.  It was after the procedure when Jess was regaining consciousness in her hospital that she was informed she had Stage II myxopapillary ependymoma, a rare cancer.  Ten days after surgery, Jess underwent a spinal tap at the location of the tumor to determine whether any tumor cells had been left behind.  Thankfully, the results were clear and have remained clear ever since.   However, many challenges awaited Jess.  There were instances in which she was immobilized, having to remain in bed.  She felt pain from head to toe.  Certain fabrics rubbing against caused pain.  As did extreme temperatures or the wind.  She was prescribed opioids, which she said did nothing to alleviate the pain.  She was given morphine.  Eventually doctors prescribed pregabalin and duloxetine, medications which were able to reduce the pain.  Jess also tried medical marijuana, which reduced the pain.   The biggest development in her recovery was her working with a specialist in New Hampshire who performs spinal cord stimulator procedures. Jess completed a trial with a stimulator and when using it, much of her pain was gone and she regained much of her mobility.   Jess says her spinal cord will never be the same and neither will she, but she is grateful for the mobility she has.  She adds that since October 2025, she has been sober from alcohol and cannabis.   Additional Resources:   Support Groups:   The CERN Foundation: https://www.cern-foundation.org   walk.talk.connect: https://walktalkconnect.org   Book:   ReConnected: Stories from Spinal Cord Tumor & Dawn Standera, available on Amazon   https://www.youtube.com/@reconnected-SCTtumorstories