It sure has been a while, hasn’t it? Back in the beginning of December I had lumbar spinal surgery to finally correct the issue that has been holding me back the past couple of years. We fused at L5-S1 and the surgery appeared to have gone well. Unfortunately, I developed a systemic infection originating from deep in the surgery site and at the end of December, my surgeon had to go back in and remove all the hardware. This was followed by several months of IV antibiotics and a great deal of down time. Eventually, I was able to start physical therapy. I am now at the point where I am better than I was before surgery, physical therapy is making a remarkable difference and I rarely need medication for my back pain.
My goal, which my surgeon and physical therapist support and say is realistic, is to be back to traveling, hiking and photographing come this fall. I am, in fact, already planning my fall trip to the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina. I’m so very happy to be on track to returning to what I love. I’m so thankful for my doctors, family, friends and others who have been so supportive over the past months.
Cheers to more adventures!
YAAAAY!