Not the Only One Who's Dealing With A Pain

“Honey, my back hurts, I wish I had a nice steak cooked out on the grill, but I know it’s raining and dark out…..OHHHHHHHH, but it hurts”

What a gal, huh?

Morning Walk

I got up this morning at 6:30 and dressed in a hurry. By that I mean I was ready to go outside for my morning walk by 7. I find I do everything SLOW these days, which is counter-intuitive for me, but I’m making progress and at least dressing myself now. I took off down the road for a half mile before I felt myself run out of gas. Whew, time to stop this marathon and set down for breakfast and maybe a little nap. Of course I had a little problem, in that I didn’t anticipate my commitment level when I needed to. What I should have done would be to walk OUT a quarter mile, then back IN another quarter. Now, I find myself down the road and up the creek, with no legs, paddle, or ambulance service to fall into. Just when I thought I was destined to my own version of Man Vs Wild (with me curled up under a tree for shelter), up pulls Tammy in the truck. “Hey” she says, “You want a ride or something?” Man, was that a good nap I had a few minutes later.

Recovery

Most all of you know I underwent back surgery on August 24th and again on the 26th, to correct some disc problems, which have been causing quite a bit of pain and numbness for me, as well as a quickly increasing loss of leg strength over the course of the last couple years.

I went to several doctors and got a bunch of different diagnosis and as many prognosis, before deciding to let this surgeon have a go at me. He talked a good talk and if he's straight up and I work hard enough, I should emerge in a few months like a kid again (as far as my back goes, anyway).

I've had some rough road since the knife, like a really bad reaction to the first post-surgery pain medication. I threw up for about 12 hours that first night and let me tell you, that ain’t no fun with three brand new incisions in my gut and over my hips. Then, I have this cut down my back, which leaves me cut on all four corners. This makes it pretty tough to lay down with any level of comfort. That part is getting better everyday.

I’m working through this to get back on my feet and fully reap the benefits of the work done on me. It’s been a week and a half and I’m already up to walking a (total) of a half mile a day on the treadmill. I think soon I can abandon the walker I use any other time I’m up and move the work outside. Doc says if I can get to 1.5 miles a day unassisted by the end of 6 weeks, in another 6 I can bust loose to do anything I want to.

I’ll keep posting some updates here in case anyone is interested. I’ve received a lot of inquiries from a number of you. My very good buddies Mennonite Mike and Fearless Charlie Nash have been especially persistent with their displays of concern, as well as Peewee and the Captain who have called to wish me the best. I can feel a lot of you out there who care and who are concerned and I tell you, it means a lot to me. I’ll add a word of thanks here to my friends David T and Jon, who have stepped up to help in a big way, but who I doubt would ever have occasion to read this blog.

My final word here today is about my family. Leslie who is 800 miles away, but lifts me up everyday because I know she cares so very much. Only by threats have we been able to keep her where she is and needs to be. And also Clay, who has stood by like a guard at the gate (complete with walky-talky), ready to do anything I ask him at anytime he’s not been in school or in the sickbed himself (bad sick). And mostly my Tammy, who has barely left my side since the first doctor’s visit. Nursing me, bathing me, feeding me and jumping at my every need, all the while sleeping in chairs just to stay in the same room with me while I moan and groan. Words fail me here…..

Anyway, don’t count me out and I’ll be seeing you all down the road a piece.

Thanks,
Jesco