Only a matter of time
What I remember most about going to the mall when I was a teenager was that my dad couldn't walk the length of the mall. His feet and legs would go to sleep. So, he sat around holding our coats. Sometime around my sophomore year of high school he went to a doctor who diagnosed him with a ruptured disc and spinal stenosis.
I moved into Georgetown on August 19 and on the 24th during my first day of class as a college freshman my dad had 17 hour back surgery. He now has full blown degenerative disc disease and the pain is so bad that he has a pain pump.
I figured it was only a matter of time for my back to go too. My sciatica started in earnest when I was pregnant with E. It dulled after she was born, was awful when I was pregnant with L, but hasn't gotten much better since his birth. The last 4 - 6 weeks have been the worst. Last week I finally broke down and saw my family doctor specifically for the back pain. She ordered an MRI.
The MRI showed 3 bulging discs and mild spinal stenosis. I will have my first consultation with a neurosurgeon on August 14.
I'm hopeful it's not bad enough yet that surgery is the first option. I'm hoping for stronger pain medication, bed rest or some physical therapy.
I realize this isn't the end of the world, but I remember so many times things dad and I couldn't do together because of his back pain. I don't want to miss out on anything with the kids because of that. I don't want to lose my level of activity because of it.
I just want to be comfortable and able to enjoy everyday things.
I moved into Georgetown on August 19 and on the 24th during my first day of class as a college freshman my dad had 17 hour back surgery. He now has full blown degenerative disc disease and the pain is so bad that he has a pain pump.
I figured it was only a matter of time for my back to go too. My sciatica started in earnest when I was pregnant with E. It dulled after she was born, was awful when I was pregnant with L, but hasn't gotten much better since his birth. The last 4 - 6 weeks have been the worst. Last week I finally broke down and saw my family doctor specifically for the back pain. She ordered an MRI.
The MRI showed 3 bulging discs and mild spinal stenosis. I will have my first consultation with a neurosurgeon on August 14.
I'm hopeful it's not bad enough yet that surgery is the first option. I'm hoping for stronger pain medication, bed rest or some physical therapy.
I realize this isn't the end of the world, but I remember so many times things dad and I couldn't do together because of his back pain. I don't want to miss out on anything with the kids because of that. I don't want to lose my level of activity because of it.
I just want to be comfortable and able to enjoy everyday things.
posted by JAB @ 12:19 PM
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