Ohhh my aching back...

Yes, I've been gone awhile. Haven't posted since May. Yes, I was very busy with the move and getting settled into the new house (still love it, its gorgeous!), working in the yard, and oh...having surgery on my back....twice.

I've had problems with my back for years. And, like an idiot I put off going to the doctor about it. But, in late May I couldn't put it off any longer. The doctor sent me in for an MRI (one of those test where they shove you in a giant paper towel tube and you get to listen to 50,000 little kids with those space sounding toy guns). The neurosurgeon said I had severe spinal stenosis.

Huh?

Well, it is real and it meant my spinal column was basically clamping shut on the nerves going down into my legs making them hurt, cramp, go numb, knee's buckle etc etc etc...He said that the L4 and L5 disk were affected and I needed surgery - soon - or I wouldn't be walking within 6 months to a year.

Well, now how do you say no to that?

So, on July 5th, 2007 I underwent back surgery. I was in the hospital for 3 days. Didn't do to bad, walked around some - but within 2-1/2 weeks I started feeling the cramping and tingling sensations in my left leg. I called the surgeons office and they made me an appointment for the following week. And, they ordered another MRI.

Ohjoy, I get to be stuck in the paper towel tube again only this time they are injecting dye into me so that they can see clearly where they operated on my back in July. I had to wait about 10 days to see the doctor and get the results of the test...

I needed more surgery.

Argggggggghhhhhhhhhh

So, on August 23rd I underwent my second back surgery. Seven weeks to the day of the first. I was in the hospital four days this time - but, it feels different. My back feels different than last time. No block of wood between my back and the bed when I lay down - and, my legs don't hurt.

I am trying to be positive about this. Kind of difficult when this is the second time I have been off work for 4 wks since July 1st - and I don't miss work! I had enough sick days accumulated that I didn't have to file for disability.

And, I love the new house - but right now it feels as if the walls are closing in. I am not allowed to drive or be in a car for 2 more weeks. I sit here all day alone trying to find something to watch on television, play games on the computer, sort through family photo's, sit outside and watch the humming birds...

Basically going nutso.

But, I am following doctors orders so that my back heals correctly so I can get back to work, work in my yard and basically get back to life.

So, I've been away. I will try to get back here more often now that I am allowed to sit here at my computer.

I just hope someone notices :)