Zero

I’m alive! And I feel awesome! I had my back surgery/discectomy almost two weeks ago and I feel like a completely new person. I’m not all hunched over, looking like I’m getting in character to play Shakespeare’s Richard III or Quasimodo, anymore. Some friends told me the other day that I look like I’ve lost some weight, but it’s most likely because I’m standing up straight now, so I look thinner. For me, it’s like a whole new world. A new world where I’m not in pain every moment. A new world where I don’t have to numb myself up with pain pills, just to get through the day. I’m actually very proud of myself, I haven't taken any pills since Saturday, 3/16. And it’s not because I’m out, I have several left, but I’m trying not to touch them. 

The procedure itself went very well, although, once the surgeon got in there, he found a small complication. The herniation had been there for so long that it was starting to calcify. So he had to scrape away the calcium that was forming first before he could do anything else, then he was able to remove the bad parts of my disc. I think this is why it was so painful. It was basically like bone growing up over the herniation. Can you imagine that? A new bone just cropping up in your back. It makes so much sense to me now. It’s like, of course, it had to be something crazy like that to cause me to be in so much pain like I’ve been in the past year and a half. But now I’m done. I’m done with it all. I was screaming that phrase to my parents though sobs, sitting in my car, the night before the doctor said I needed this procedure done. And now I’m really done with it. At least in this chapter of my life. Spine problems like this are genetic (thanks mom and dad), and I’m most likely going to deal with it at some point later in my life. But for now, I’m done with it. And I couldn’t be happier. 

I’m not completely through with recovery though. I can’t take a bath or do any heavy lifting or bending over for another month or so. But once that time period is over, I’ll be good to go! I’ve also still got numbness going down my left leg to my toes. It’s not really painful, just really annoying. I’ll probably still have that for a couple more weeks, but I’ll be glad once it’s gone. I just got the OK from my doctor to start doing some cardio and core workouts to strengthen the muscles around where my disc is that was operated on, to keep any other problems from happening. Last night I made a schedule of what exercises I need to do every day. I figured that if I make a schedule or list, I’ll hold myself accountable better; I’ll be able to see what I need to do and can cross it off once it’s done. 

I’m so glad to be done with this for now. I’m thankful to my doctor and everyone involved in making my surgery a success, I had a really great team taking care of me. I’m thankful to my parent’s and brother for taking care of me and allowing me to crash at their house for a few days while I was recuperating. And finally, I’m thankful to my other family members and friends who have seen me going through this and have put up with me being a cripple/pill popper. I wouldn’t be where I am right now if it weren’t for all of these people I’ve mentioned. Thanks again, and here’s to making the rest of this year awesome!

Hanging out with Phil, eating Cheezits, the night after my surgery.

Two days after my surgery, I was out and about with some new shoes, taking pictures of my brother and me and giant crosses.