Well Thursday was one of those days that wasn't too bad weather wise with cooler temps, windy and lots of sunshine; however it brought some devastating news to me about my back. It seems the L5 herniated disc I had operated on about 45 years ago while in the Air Force has calcified and that is what's causing all the pain in my lower back and right leg. The x-rays from the chiropractor indicated some long term disability that he didn't think he could really help. He did try to get some movement in the effected joint which did alleviate the excruciating sharp pain down to a constant dull pain. I can probably live with that if I have too and then explore other options for pain management such as cortisone shots in the effected area with the possibility of surgery as a last resort as of now. I did quit all of the meds that had no positive influence on the pain as I now need to built my body back for what lays ahead.
I headed back over to the VA after the chiro appointment to have a consult with my hand and I'm scheduled for an injection in the pinkie finger in April and then I had several x-rays of the back area while I was there. I'm hopeful my primary doctor there will allow me to continue to use the chiropractor as I did get some relief. I'm also going to seek out another opinion from a well known spine doctor here in Pinellas County with what my options may be. So I'm to stay active according to the chiropractor which has probably led to me being as healthy as I am as he thought when he saw my x-rays that I should be in a wheelchair or at least on crutches.
Nancy and I talked about all of the options and she is very supportive with whatever decisions I make and how I will hold up with the constant pain. There is another option of a cortisone shot into the effected area for pain relief which will allow me to be active; as of right now that sounds like a winner. Anyhow there is much to contemplate and evaluate for the future as I'm definitely not going to have this degenerative vertebrae and disc go away unless a miracle occurs.
I cut some Swiss chard from the garden and we sautéed it in butter and it was awesome along with salmon steaks on the grill smothered in fresh dill and a garlic, fresh basil and butter sauce over pasta for supper. After the clean up we settled into Fox News until the Idol competition came on then it was shower time and eventually some horizontal lab, LATER
