Getting older: from surgery to recovery

Even I could understand this MRI.

For the past three years, I have known that I had a couple of herniated disks in my neck.   This has led to an annual cycle that starts with increased nerve pain, burning, and numbness down the right arm, then an MRI to confirm that the herniated disks were still there and causing pain.  Up until now, steroid injections have reduced the pain and I do fine for another year.   Before our recent vacation with the kids I could feel the pain, burning, and numbness returning, this time down both the left and right arms.

So I scheduled an MRI the week we returned from our wonderful family trip.  The day after the MRI, I was scheduled to see a neurosurgeon who then gave a very different report. One disk in my neck was now so herniated that it was dangerously compressing the spinal chord and risking permanent damage.  The next disk was pretty much gone and bone was rubbing on bone.  So my plans changed quickly as within a week of returning to the U.S., I was in the hospital where two disks were removed, titanium spacers inserted to replace the disks, and screws held it all together.   So as I heal, my now stiff neck reminds me that I am not so young anymore, but this also reminds me to be very thankful that we live in a place where good medical care is available. Now two weeks after the surgery I was just cleared to drive again and can return to the work that has been waiting for me.  So I celebrated by stopping at Dairy Queen and enjoyed a nice root beer float.