Sunday, December 31, 2006

One year ago today...

I can hardly believe that one year ago today, I had to call an emergency vehicle and be driven to the hospital. I could not stand up and, in fact, had no use of my legs and feet whatsoever! I had been suffering for over five years with pain in my lower back, hips and legs. I got worse and worse as time went on. I had had a spinal fusion in 2000, but that relieved very little pain. Finally, after becoming totally disabled, the pain clinic decided to tell me that they knew I had a stenosis in the the 3/4 lumbar area.

It seems to me that the medical profession is so limited by the insurance companies now that they are pretty well blocked from doing the business they need to do because of that. But now, a year later, I am hardly ever in pain, except those that come with old age and such. And I walk pretty much anywhere I want to go, still using lower leg braces and a cane. Sometimes, when I am going to do a lot of something - like shopping - I need to use my rolling, seated walker. Standing for a long time is still not very feasible. Yet I rejoice in my present state of physical being.

Bro. Hardy