On May 14, 2010 I had my first major surgical event… a micro-lumbar discectomy. I had two herniated discs in the lumbar region of my back. One between L3 and L4 (the one my neural surgeon claimed was doing the most damage) and another between L4 and L5. I also have discovered that I have degenerative disc disease.

In late March I noticed that my sciatic nerve was tight and causing a bit of stabbing pain in my right buttock. I would stretch after playing volleyball and try to loosen it up a bit but nothing really seemed to help. After my drive to Utah it got steadily worse. 24 hours total inside a cramped vehicle + playing volleyball right upon my return did me in. My legs started to buckle while I played and I lost the ability to raise my right foot.

To make a long story short, it took 2 months before I finally had the surgery despite my emotional pleading with my former doctor to please do something other than give me pain meds. I was immediately better when I woke up in the emergency room. No more stabbing pain… thank God!

I’m still trying to get back into the swing of things activity-wise. I have difficulty moving my leg at any rate of speed and I’ve tacked on a quick 10 pounds (after losing 13 while I was in the throws of all of it). My metabolism is out of whack and my body hates me. But at least I’m not laid out in bed anymore… phew!

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