Sorry if it seemed like I was ignoring you for a while. Things have been really nuts lately. So much has been going on at home and I've been really distracted, and unfortunately you, blog, have had to sit by untouched, lonely. In case you're wondering what on earth could be so important to let you be so idle, let me fill you in ...
*chimey daydream musical interlude*
A few months ago, the hubby and his back had a big fallout, which left him hobbling to the doctor's office like an 80-year-old man. The doctor recommended drug therapy, and when that didn't work, physical therapy. The therapy was doing a lot of good for Dave, and the therapist said that she was really happy with Dave's progress, in fact, happy enough that Dave could resume normal activity. (In case it wasn't obvious, the hubby=Dave) That's when all hell broke loose.
You see, Dave was so excited about getting back to his normal routine that he did what he would have done any other week of any other month that he was perfectly healthy. He ran 16 miles (8 miles two days that week), went to a yoga class, a spin class and walked the dogs every day. On Friday, though, he suddenly became that 80-year-old man again, holding onto his back, wary of his next step lest there not be something with which he could hold on to for support. I feared the worst: we were back where we started just two months ago. If only...
We scheduled an appointment with a back specialist, but we wouldn't be able to see him for a week and a half because he was on vacation. Dave got the next best thing until help arrived: Vicodin.
Just last Tuesday Dave saw the back specialist and it was unnerving news: Dave has a weak low spine, probably caused by a fairly common genetic disorder. This, paired with weak spinal support muscles, has lead to an overall weakened lower spine and several inflamed or aggravated discs. Somewhere, somehow, Dave's leg started to feel numb and sometimes painful. The doctor thinks this is attributed to a pinched nerve near his hip somewhere.
We had an MRI on Thursday and my fingers are crossed that once we know more from the analysis on Tuesday that surgery will become a more distant option, but for now, it looks like Dave may have to have some type of back surgery in the near future. I'll keep you all updated, but please keep Dave in your thoughts. We'd both appreciate it.
Since Dave's laid up and can't lift more than 10 pounds, we've given up on the home improvement projects we had planned, like painting the bedroom, staining the deck and doing some serious landscaping. This sucks, but I'll tell you what, rooms can always be painted, yards can always be landscaped.
Hopefully though, none of these back problems will keep us from going on the camping trip we had planned since January. We're (hopefully) going to the Old Settler's Music Festival, which should be really great.
That seems like enough for now... When I know more, you will, too. I promise to not stay away so long again.
Love always and forever and ever,
Jo
7 comments:
Now you see I don't come across as an optimistic sort really, that's because I like to save it up for times like this. So you can rest assured that dave will be both peachy and fine - which is a marvellous state of affairs to be in. There is no shadow of doubt in my mind that he suffers enough being cursed with liking that silly baseball game and this is simply a blip on the way to landscaped awesomeness.
in the mean time, its no excuse for you to slack ya big slacking slackerer! :D
Oh dear, I asked for blogs about nothing, and now I wish Dave's back would get better so that you *really* don't have anything to blog about.
Please tell me that there is no risk of permanent damage...
My Dad would love that music festival. He likes/liked banjo music and would go and hang out in downtown Garland, listening to the bluegrass jam sessions on the square, chatting with the old timers. Hehe.
I'd personally love to go to South by Southwest, sounds like the best musiclal festival ever! Everyone who has never gone before always seems to expect this stereotypical Southern experience and what you actually get is the best mish mash of musical talent mixed with southern charm, mixed with an almost hippy-esque vibe. It just sounds amazing!
I've walked along Austin's 6th Street on a normal weekday evening and it's SO alive! Not rowdy, just ALIVE. And we got to see the Lottery balls being picked live on the evening news - it's visible to the public on the street behind bomb-proof glass.
6th street used to be really cool, and then it became one of those places that people go for the sole purpose of drinking themselves into oblivion. There are a lot of excellent venues in Austin, but I'd have to say that if the city of Dallas ever got behind a real music fest here in Downtown and Deep Ellum, well, it'd be just as good as SXSW.
FYI on SXSW: it's mostly a media and critic's preview for independent artists and filmmakers. It's a cool event, but I'd think the vibe at Coachella would be much more hippy-esque.
P.S. When we find out about the results of the MRI today I'll let you guys know more about where we're going with Dave's back. Thanks for thinking about him.
Is Deep Ellum undergoing a revival yet? I read about it once 15 years ago in that mag that comes with the Dallas Morning News and never heard of it again (probably mostly because I soon moved to H-town. I mean, how often do Dallasites hear about Montrose or Upper Kirby?).
Fingers crossed for Dave, Jo xx
Deep Ellum's revival or rebirth is contingent upon loosening neighborhood regulations and the soon-to-come DART green line that cuts through East Dallas.
Thanks for wishing Dave well. Turns out our hoping to know more yesterday was a figment of misplaced faith. We won't find out more from the MRI until Friday, or a week after Friday.
Until then, please do keep your fingers crossed. We're preparing for the worst but hoping for the best.
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