A Million Little Pieces Of My Mind

On April 20th, I underwent a lumbar laminectomy, followed by months of recovery and physical therapy.

So, today I found myself sitting in the waiting room of my surgeon's office. Today marks the final follow-up after my lumbar laminectomy surgery as well as my final visit to the physical therapy department. Just a year ago, I sat on my porch dreading the agonizing chore of taking the dogs downstairs for their walk. I couldn't help but wonder if I'd make it to see another year, let alone experience a semblance of a normal life. It got so bad my daughter insisted I move in with her. (To be honest, I like that better but that isn't the point.) But now…here I am, live man walking!

Both my surgeon, Dr. Brandon Hersch, and the physical therapy center I went to, are in the same building, part of The CORE Institute. So, this morning I went for my final physical therapy session. The lead technician had me do the usual five minutes on the exercycle, then measured my ability to twist and turn and bend, comparing the figures to those taken on my first visit. Everything was improved, including my attitude!

The team at CORE had become a significant part of my support system. Each session was a battle with discomfort, but it was also a step towards recovery. Limberness had always been my strong suit, and it was heartening to see it return. The small victories, like being able to walk a little farther each day, had been continuous sources of motivation.

So then I just moved across the waiting room to the other counter to announce my arrival for my appointment with Dr. Hersch. I didn't have long to wait, and then I was in his office. His smile mirrored my own as he reviewed my progress. We both knew it had taken longer to reach this level of recovery than we'd initially hoped. But I could hardly blame him for that. The surgery itself had been successful, and it had healed without incident. The rest was a matter of perseverance and patience on my part.

Today, as I contemplate the future, I am surprised to find I can now picture myself going on for another 10 or 20 years. It's a vision that was almost stolen from me by excruciating pain, but it's now within reach. I've gained a newfound appreciation for life's simple pleasures—especially the ability to walk, to stretch, to be free from constant pain. Each step forward feels like a victory.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Hersch, the medical team, and the dedicated professionals at CORE Physical Therapy. They've been instrumental in this journey, guiding me through the darkest days and celebrating every small triumph. I couldn't have done it without them.

Especially the surgery part, as, limber as I am, I still can't reach my back.