Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Much Needed Update!

Sorry guys. Despite the small amount of time it takes to write up a post,  you just never find the time for the people you care about when you run a restaurant. My apologies!

Here's my update:

My back took a while to recover from the crisis I had a month and a half ago. Stress is a real game changer, but it seems my back is getting more and more used to it every day. I took anti-inflamatories to help with the process and they definitely helped.

The X-rays turned out fine:




























I work 12-14 hours a day, standing up. My back WILL feel sore after this. But my lower back seems to carry it all. Every time I lay down after a long day, my lower back feels that sort of 'relief' stress.. it's the only time of the day when it really hurts. After a few minutes, it goes back to normal and I feel great.

I have felt tiny bits of sciatica every once in a while, but nothing compared to pre-op.

Bending, twisting, jumping.. I can do all of them without an issue.

I know it's hard to imagine yourself being normal after an operation like this. But I don't think about my disc anymore. I bend down to tie my shoes, I carry 50lb bags every once in a while, I take the occasional sprint.. when it hurts at night I think about being more careful but every morning I wake up 100% fresh, so I completely forget!

I've been having some hip problems unrelated to the disc. It seems my left hip keeps popping all the time, or I feel like I want to pop it. Kinda hurts. I'm taking some joint supplements to help with this. I'm also taking a low-dose anti-inflammatory (diclofenac) to help with my shoulder surgery recovery.. I'm sure this is helping my back as well.

Overall, i'm doing great. I'm not 100% but I do feel normal. My back will never be fully recovered but it sure in hell beats the way I was pre-op. Also, I know that if I weren't running a restaurant i'd be doing MUCH better.

Oh and one more thought.. I remember my back started acting up after I played soccer and volleyball, then leading up to the crisis I had about 2 weeks after that. If I were you, i'd avoid impact sports!