I ruptured a disk in my spine. I didn't do anything specific to rupture it. I wish I had a great story about how I was climbing a mountain in the Alps and then when I tried to save one of my fellow climbers my back snapped and I had ruptured a disk. But that wasn't the case. I wasn't doing anything and all of a sudden I couldn't stand up. The pain in my leg was unbearable. I couldn't sit. I could do anything but scream in pain.
My husband took me to the ER where they gave some pain meds and did an MRI and said to go see a surgeon the next day. I got shoved around by the medical system for a few weeks. I was repeatedly told that my condition was nonsurgical and that it would get better with time. Finally one doctor said to go see another surgeon for a second opinion (really it would be about the 10th opinion!). This surgeon said that my symptoms were straightforward and that he would do surgery in 10 days. He said that surgery would take about 1.5 hours and that I would spend one night in the hospital.
My husband waited for 6 hours while I was in surgery and recovery. The surgery took 2.5 hours and I ended up spending 2 nights in the hospital.
Yesterday I went to my post-op check up. All the bandages and surgical tape was removed. I'm able to walk again. (I had to use a cane for 8 weeks). I'm still restricted in bending, twisting and lifting. But I feel so much better.
Here's my Christmas card to you:
May your Christmas be filled with brotherly love.
