Things Can Only Get Better

I met the partner of the doctor I've been seeing so far at physical therapy today.  I learned quite a bit.  In going over my history, he explained to me exactly what got done when I had surgery last year, the "not invasive" emergency disc removal that occurred about 18 months ago.  I was told at the time that the procedure was absolutely necessary, but not at all dangerous and that I should recover just fine on my own.

This doctor today showed me on a model spine exactly what they cut through to get to the disc that was removed (muscles tendons, etc.), and told me he couldn't believe that I didn't do rehab right after.  And while he commended me for my fitness efforts this summer, he explained to me that without learning how to get my brain and body used to working around the chunk of bone that's missing from the vertebra they cut into without doing damage to the surrounding area in conjunction with learning how to deal with the as yet not addressed low back spinal injury that I also have (I'm really trying to avoid further surgery), I won't be getting the best benefits from any exercise I try to do.  I could even make things worse for myself.

It's so nice to be dealing with people that know what they're talking about, and that care about making me better, not making themselves money.  My pain management doctor recommended four to six weeks or physical therapy and I worried that that might not end up being enough.  It's clear to me that these guys are going to keep me on with them for as long as I need to be there.  I feel relieved about that.  I moved from beginner to early intermediate exercises today, which are kicking my butt, but in that good "proud of yourself" sort of way.

Hope everyone has a lovely day!

A Slow-Going Start

Things haven't been moving along all that quickly for various reasons and I'm finding myself very glad that my doctor suggested physical therapy before I went out on my own.  It's just been harder for me this time around, and I'm not really able to push it as hard as I did this summer.  But since I'm doing this not for quick results but an improvement in my overall health I'm willing to be patient and follow my body's cues instead of rushing and hurting myself.
With that, I think I'll get going on my stabilization exercises, "homework" from my physical therapist.  Happy Election Day!