Pain Progress

Close family and friends know that for the past six months or more I have been dealing with debilitating back pain that has curtailed my ability to walk. It has completely engulfed my life. A regimen of pills, patches and support band have failed to keep ahead of the downward spiral of increasing pain.  X-rays and MRIs have shown degeneration of the lower spine in the lumbar area and stenosis of the nerve that leads to my hips and legs.  

Yesterday afternoon I was finally able to receive a procedure of injections from the Salem Pain and Spine Specialist. I came home in a fog. After eating dinner and watching the news, I went to bed and saw the start of the Vice Presidents debate. I saw the candidates shake hands, the interviewers introduced, and then I guess it was lights out.  At midnight I woke up to take a pee and took a pill more less out of habit. Back in bed I realized I could turn over without pain.  I lay there the rest of the night thinking of all the trips we could take in the van and trails we could explore to seek out birds. It was as though my brain was again awake and enthused to embrace my former life. This morning, I was able to walk the halls pain free as we went for our morning workout, and then coffee and newspaper downstairs in the lobby. 

Now is a wait and see time.  How long will the treatment last?  Is it only temporary?  Is there something more that will have to be done?  In the meantime, I am going to enjoy as many as possible of a new/old relative pain free days as I can.