Two Week Recheck

I had my two week surgery recheck from my surgery on Wednesday. It went well! The doctor said my back is healing okay and that the little pains in my leg are normal and may still continue for the next one or two months. He thinks that I have a very good long term prognosis which was good news. However, there is still a chance for relapse over the next couple weeks even though each day the chance of that happening decreases. Needless to say, I am still trying to be cautious with my activities.

I have started driving a little bit and will start physical therapy on Monday. I will go back to work on Tuesday. My surgeon is limiting my hours to half-time the first week. I am excited to see my colleagues everyday! I visited the office shortly on my way home from my recheck--It had been 7 weeks since I had been able to step foot into the office. I'm still a little nervous about all of this especially with the residual leg pain and the previous relapse.

Tia left on Thursday to go back to her family I sure miss having all of her help and friendship, but her kids and my brother are sure happy to have her back home! Since I'm on my own I am back to making sure I have my phone with me at all times (even when I go into the next room)--I decided to spare you the photos of the phone necklace! I definitely don't want a repeat of being stuck on the floor without a way to call if something goes awry.



Sad that Tia left and that my teddy bear was too small to snuggle with.

Before she left she gave me a little teddy bear to keep me company but it really wasn't quite big enough to snuggle with. She conspired with my friend Roy so that I would find a snugly hidden teddy bear today hidden in my dryer to keep me company! It definitely put a smile on my face today and it was good to have a hug.

My sweet new bear to keep me company.

Thanks again for all your prayers and I would appreciate your continued prayers as I try to adjust back into "normal" living.  

Recovery -- Take 2

Today is Day 5 post-surgery! Recovery has been much slower this time, but each day I have improved with less pain. I am able to walk a little further & stay out of bed a little longer each day. I feel like I am recovering at tortoise-pace, but as long as I keep heading towards the finish line of healing I am ok with that! I've had less pain from the surgery site this time, but more pain have lingered in my right leg. It is the little pains in my leg that make me fearful of another relapse, and keep me more cautious. I've had to remember verses not be afraid & to trust in God such as 

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:6)

It has been absolutely great to have my sister-in-law Tia with me for the past 4 days! We get to go on walks 3-4 times a day and she helps with everything from making sure I get fed and cleaning my house to just being a friend and hanging out together.

The highlight so far during my recovery has been my walk down to the park today. It is a several block walk and I have been slowly working up to it. Today was a beautiful day and I enjoyed getting to see the flowers in the lily pads and the ducks who were finding their lunches.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me by providing meals (& all other odds & ends), sending me encouraging notes, especially praying for me! Keep the prayers (& help) coming!

Surgery again?!?!

Surgery last week went well. My recovery was going GREAT. I was walking, sitting & getting around with pretty much all my leg pain gone...just a little tingling left. THEN Monday I got up and moved wrong to readust how I was sitting. Severe sharp pain shot thru my right leg! I hadn't felt that for over a week. My cooworkers resqued me & got me up after some pain meds kicked in. The pain was manageable over night, but uncontrollable yesterday morning. I ended up going into the ER. they redid an MRI & it looks like another fragment of the disk is present in the site they just cleared out. I see the neurosurgeon this morning still & have been fasting since midnight in preparation of a possible Fourth of July surgery. Please pray for relief from pain, wisdom over a potential second surgery and for healing!