Sturgeon Moon Update
It's been six months since the last update. Beyond my meager posting this year is that I haven't kept up with reading my friend's list. Sorry.
HEALTH: The biggest update is I had successful minor surgery yesterday. Over the past several months, I have developed perceived cramping that blossomed into full-fledged sciatica down my entire right leg. For most of June/July I was able to walk through it, but this month I stopped being able to walk even to the end of the block. Medical inquiry led to an MRI which showed a "large right para-central disc protrusion impinging upon the right S1 nerve root."
That was Monday. I consulted a specialist on Tuesday morning. The recommendation was surgery. There had been some sort of traumatic event that had knocked material out the disc. Over time the body may absorb it back, but the sciatica was increasing daily. G and I discussed it over lunch, but afterwards I reserved a surgery slot on Friday. G did some more research. I consulted a GP brother and family. Everything recommended caution, and surgery is the last resort. Nevertheless, the symptoms were getting close to this threshold.
So, it was a fun Friday. While I was knocked out a very large piece of "crab meat" was taken out of a small incision in my lower back. I stayed the night at the hospital, but that was mostly precautionary as I had no side effects from the actual surgery. The sciatica is gone. I do have a slight numbness in my right foot which I am prepared to live with. I also have to take a lot more care of my lower back. Short term I shouldn't lift more than a travel guide. Long term depends on how well I strengthen those muscles. But I'm alive and functional.
HOME: Officially I have lived in Capital Hill with G for 4 months. Unofficially it's been more like six or seven. Still I love the neighborhood, and it's nice to have your dogs, computer, and girlfriend in the same place.
RELATIONSHIP: I have been dating G for 14 months (officially). She's terrific, more than I deserve.
ACTIVITIES: The last month has been quiet, more a result of my health. Still in the last six months there was a trip to Orcus island in March, the midwest in April, a day-trip some-when to Leavenworth, and the famous wineries of Woodinville. My health prevented a similar trip to the peninsula. HUNGARY is in four weeks!!!! (Yes, that time-line had some relation to the surgery.)
GENERAL ASSESSMENT: Happy. And very lucky.
HEALTH: The biggest update is I had successful minor surgery yesterday. Over the past several months, I have developed perceived cramping that blossomed into full-fledged sciatica down my entire right leg. For most of June/July I was able to walk through it, but this month I stopped being able to walk even to the end of the block. Medical inquiry led to an MRI which showed a "large right para-central disc protrusion impinging upon the right S1 nerve root."
That was Monday. I consulted a specialist on Tuesday morning. The recommendation was surgery. There had been some sort of traumatic event that had knocked material out the disc. Over time the body may absorb it back, but the sciatica was increasing daily. G and I discussed it over lunch, but afterwards I reserved a surgery slot on Friday. G did some more research. I consulted a GP brother and family. Everything recommended caution, and surgery is the last resort. Nevertheless, the symptoms were getting close to this threshold.
So, it was a fun Friday. While I was knocked out a very large piece of "crab meat" was taken out of a small incision in my lower back. I stayed the night at the hospital, but that was mostly precautionary as I had no side effects from the actual surgery. The sciatica is gone. I do have a slight numbness in my right foot which I am prepared to live with. I also have to take a lot more care of my lower back. Short term I shouldn't lift more than a travel guide. Long term depends on how well I strengthen those muscles. But I'm alive and functional.
HOME: Officially I have lived in Capital Hill with G for 4 months. Unofficially it's been more like six or seven. Still I love the neighborhood, and it's nice to have your dogs, computer, and girlfriend in the same place.
RELATIONSHIP: I have been dating G for 14 months (officially). She's terrific, more than I deserve.
ACTIVITIES: The last month has been quiet, more a result of my health. Still in the last six months there was a trip to Orcus island in March, the midwest in April, a day-trip some-when to Leavenworth, and the famous wineries of Woodinville. My health prevented a similar trip to the peninsula. HUNGARY is in four weeks!!!! (Yes, that time-line had some relation to the surgery.)
GENERAL ASSESSMENT: Happy. And very lucky.