5 Weeks Post-surgery: Return to work

Today was my second day back at work. It went well, physically. I did get kind of sore after sitting for a period of time, but getting up and walking helped ease it. My biggest issue right now is bursitis in my right hip/leg. It developed because my hips are out of whack due to the way my body contorted from the sciatic pain. My surgeon released me last Friday to begin working with my chiropractor and she is helping to correct my hips. Yesterday I was so sore by 6:30, I knew I just needed to get home and ice my hip. It probably didn't help walking first thing in the morning and then all the moving around I did at work- I didn't ease back in, I jumped in. I am now on Daypro and it has helped alot! I still get a little achy but its much more bearable. It seems to be working to bring down the swelling, which is decreasing the pain.

There was no working back into the job. My boss made it clear that I was not to come back until I could be released for full duty. I am an administrative assistant, so my doctor agreed with releasing me with the only condition that I not lift anything over 25 pounds (which is in my job description). Mentally I was ready to return 2 weeks ago, but I'm glad I didn't push the issue earlier and waiting until this week. I feel that moving around at work is actually helping my back feel better overall.

I will not be able to return to working out for about another month. My surgeon said he wants me to wait until the epidermis has grown back over the incision site. Getting sweaty apparently will inhibit that.

Overall, I am happy with my progress and thankful for an awesome surgeon. I have been sciatic pain-free ever since the day of my surgery. During my pain/recovery, I have kept speaking "this is temporary". I have truly believed it and my faith mixed with following Dr's orders has me healing well. I truly thank God! I would not have made it through this without Him! :)

3 Weeks Post-surgery

Well, it's been just over 3 weeks since surgery. Every day I continue to get better. I can move more and walk farther every day. My speed has improved significantly and I can walk about a mile now.

I still have pain, but it is mostly when I move certain ways, have been sitting for a length of time or lean against something. I do have occasional muscle spasms in my lower back, but that will improve as I am able to add strength training in a few weeks.

The news of the week was that I developed an infection at the incision site. On Monday, the surgeon put me back on antibiotics. I returned today and he said it is improving. Since the incision hasn't closed all the way yet, so I have not returned to water therapy or chiropractic care yet. Hopefully next week.

I am restless from being stuck in the house all the time, but it's just temporary as I am scheduled to return to work on October 26, just a week and a half away.

The recovery process has been worth the results as I remain pain-free in my leg.

2 Weeks Post-surgery

It was two weeks ago today that I had a microdiscectomy. The surgeon cut out the part of my disk (L4-L5) that was severely herniated.

I am amazed at my progress during these last two weeks. Each day I can move a bit better and walk a bit farther. However, I am still careful not to overdo it. Balancing activity with lots of rest is important since my body still needs time to fully heal and repair from the surgery.

Even though I can walk father, I am still not able to sit for long periods as I become very stiff and sore. This weekend I was able to get out of the house for a few hours. It felt good to get around people and get out and feel the sun shine on me.

There are things that I still cannot do, such as putting on shoes (and tying them!), standing still for periods of time (like cooking...oh how I miss cooking...sigh) or sitting up for more than 20 or 3o minutes at a time before it becomes very uncomfortable. Oh yes and I cannot turn certain ways and I am still slow in movement, but again speed is another thing that is improving by the day. Lifting anything more than small items (5 lbs or less) is still off-limits.

What I can do... drive, get up and down easier and easier by the day, getting dressed is a little easier and less painful than it has been. I can also walk for about 15 minutes or so at a time. I can reach a little farther (like the radio in the car lol). The most amazing thing by far is that I can get by with taking about 4-6 ibuprophen a day, whereas prior to surgery, I was taking Lorcet every 6 hours, alternating with a strong muscle relaxer (stronger than valium) every 4 hours.

It's a whole new world. I have a new perspective on a lot of things and a heightened appreciation for the little things in life. I am so thankful.

11 Days Post-surgery

If you are just joining me, I'm chronicling my recovery from a severely herniated disk in my lower back (L4-L5). I am writing because during my ordeal, I found so many people that have been affected by herniated disks and some don't know about the surgery I had. It is sad to see people live in chronic pain when they might not have to. I also have a new understanding of the medical community.

It still amazes me that 11 days ago I was laying in a hospital bed in excruciating pain, waiting to be cut open. It amazes me because of the difference between that day and today is almost night and day. Prior to my surgery, there were nights that I just laid in bed crying out to God to take the pain away. I would ask Him if there was a lesson I had not learned and if so, helped me to learn it so I could move passed this. No matter what medication they gave me or what position or sat or laid in, I could not find relief. I barely slept except when heavily medicated and could barely move. You have to understand, I've got a high tolerance for pain. I take Ibuprophen only when absolutely necessary. I don't like taking medication, period. So, if I'm taking a pain-killer, it means that I'm in some serious pain. It was a weird experience and at this point almost seems surreal because I am no longer in debilitating pain. Don't get me wrong, I'm still in pain, but it's a different kind of pain, the pain of healing. I am sore much of the time and moving is still somewhat difficult, but I refuse to take anything other than Ibuprophen.

My current state: I take three short walks a day in my neighborhood, each day making them just a bit longer. I was told that moving would be my best asset in the healing process. (In fact, the nurses drilled it into me to move because otherwise blood clots could form. They even threatened me that the doctor would know at my follow-up if I had been walking or not.) I rest much of the day, allowing my body time to heal. My doctor released me to drive on Tuesday as long as I wasn't taking any heavy medication. My right leg has been aching the last day or so, not sharp, but a dull aching. I'm not sure what that's about, so I'm keeping an eye on it. I also seem to be more sore in my whole lower back today than I was a couple days ago. I'm wondering if I overdid it, so I'm trying to rest more to compensate. Sleep is still a challenge. I get about 4-5 hours of sleep a night with about an hour nap during the day. I am contemplating asking my doctor for Ambien or something (short-term) to help my body get back on a normal sleep schedule. This morning I made my first meal in I don't remember how long- an egg and ham sandwich. Cooking hasn't even been an option since it's hard for me to stand for long without holding onto something as well as lifting and bending being a challenge. My doctor said I would be released back to work October 23, which means I'll return to work on October 26. It feels a long way off, but I can see how my body needs the time to recoup from this ordeal.

Well, that's the update for now. I will write again soon and share my thoughts on the medical community based on my recent experience.