Finally a Date is Set

Haha - that title sounds like I'm getting married or something LOL!!!

I am blessed to have my surgery date now, and everything is shaping up nicely.  Wow, that takes a HUGE burden off my mind.  Did I mention it was HUGE???  I'm telling you, that had me so stressed out.  It was difficult to find time to pray about it since I spend so much time sleeping or answering to "MOMMY!!"  But here I am on the other side of the months of waiting, and it is just weeks away.  Thank You, sweet L-rd.  Now for the preparation.  Actually I don't know a lot about how I need to prepare my environment, etc.  I know I will need a few grabber thingys to be able to pick things up off the floor.  Anyway, this blog has begun a new chapter - PRE-OP.

P.S.  Thank you to all of the wonderful people who have been praying for me - pray that I will be able to be adequately prepared mentally, physically, and spiritually for the surgery.  Thanks a bunch!

4 weeks to go

Only 4 weeks to go!
http://www.spineuniverse.com/treatments/spinal-fusion-animation Except without the graft, and a rod/pin on one side only.  I will have two cylinders, such as these:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSH1YTQ1DB4

I Made It, Praise the Lord!

Last week was good, I was able to get around without much problem.  There was an elevator, so I didn't have to go up and down 3 flights of stairs several times a day, which would really aggravate my problem.  Sitting was a problem, and there were certain rooms I couldn't sit for long in b/c of the type of seats.  Also some of the sessions were very long, and required lots of sitting.  The sessions were great, so I was able to be distracted somewhat from the pain.  Additionally I got up and walked around a good bit.  My medication made me really sleepy, so I missed several early morning activities, and one afternoon activity.  I slept through a couple of sessions!  But overall I did OK, and I thank the Lord for the opportunity to go.  Also I was prayed over several times for healing.  Prayer is always requested! 
Only 2 more weeks to my next appointment, which is when I will find out my surgery date. 
I've been telling people that my back problem in a way is an answer to a prayer that I prayed, in which I asked the Lord to show me in a clear way whether I was to stay with dance, or get more involoved in music.  He definitely answered, and now I am headed down a different path, one that I would never imagined was possible!  Baruch HaShem!

Ready and Waiting

The waiting...and more waiting...this experience is definitely testing my patience.  I hope it's not much longer, b/c all of this inactivity has helped to cause me to grow out of my clothes.  I just got rid of my "big" clothes!  And my blood pressure is high every time I go to the doctor.  Wait, I think I remember hearing that GOD is the Blessed Controller of All Things... there is nothing that I am going through that He hasn't allowed.  That is what keeps me going, knowing that Adonai is in control.  This month will fly by, if the last month is any indication.  I'd better focus on getting ready...!!!  Am I really ready?  Actually, yes, but my house is a disaster.  Well, it's a good time to teach the boys how to clean!! 

Confirmation

Today I had my discogram, complete with disco ball and of course dancing.  LOL!!  Anyway, the doctor confirmed that the damaged disc is indeed the source of my pain.  The next step is surgery, which will be several weeks down the road.  She said that since I am young (age is all relative!!), I should do really well, and be able to go back to doing all of the things that I love.  Hallelujah!!!!!  I will have a 3-month recovery time, complete with wearing a soft brace to support my spine.  Walking is encouraged.  Super!!!  I haven't been able to walk for more than an hour and a half in what seems like an eternity.  I will be cruisin.  Once again, Hallelujah!!!!  Thank you, L-rd, for your continued guidance in my situation.  You really are the Blessed Controller of All Things!

Another Test, An Additional Diagnosis

Well, today went well, in spite of my nerves.  Praise the L-rd for my portable mp3 player, that helped so much!  The MD was super-nice, and she told me that she needed one more test before scheduling surgery, just to be doubly sure of the cause of my symptoms.  So I go to the OR soon for another long needle poke, this time with sedation!  Then she goes on vacation, so my surgery probably won't be until mid-July at the earliest.  That means I can go to the you-know-what the first week of July!!!  Doing cabbage patch dance, oh, wait, better not do that, or I might hurt worse. 
Also I officially have Lumbar Degenerative Disc Disease.

Today's the Day

Ok, today I see the actual neurosurgeon.  All this waiting and building up to the appointment is not helping.  I'm praying for calm nerves and presence of mind when I go in there.  I mean, really, why get worried over an appointment where I find out whether or not I'll be "out of commission" for months?  Calgon, take me away............