This week I had my 3 month checkup for my L4 L5 Spinal Fusion.  It was actually more like 3.5 month check-up as my back surgery took place on 3/08/11.  I was a little bit nervous in the days leading up to the appointment.  I know that I have been trying to tell everyone and myself that I am going to do my best to follow doctor’s orders but as the appointment drew closer and closer all I could think about were those small indiscretions that have taken place in the last 3 months that probably would make my back doctor frown if he were present in the room; bending to plug in the new computer cables when the old desktop crashed, bending to tying my shoes, lifting my rolling laptop bag one time to my desk chair when I couldn’t find my keys (okay more than once…..) and dodging to avoid water balloons at Vacation Bible School.  I know there are other things that could probably go on this list – but I don’t know  who is reading it so  I will plead the 5^th.

I arrived early at the check up and suited up in the “always fashionable, does any else feel a draft” hospital gown for my X-rays and took the long walk down the hall way to the radiology department for my photo shoot.  As I returned to my room and waited for the doctor I thought about the time I tripped over a laptop cord and had to engage my cat-like reflexes to avoid a fall and I wondered if those acrobatics caused any kinks or problems with the screws, pins, or rods holding my L4 and L5 vertebrae together.  My worrying was not necessary as the doctor said the X-rays came back just fine!  He asked me if I had any pain in the lower back – no, not since before the surgery other than surgical pain.  Any Sciatic Nerve pain?  Not since week 3 or 4.   I only have a little stiffness sometimes in the early morning hours but it continues to get better.  Great, he said!   Things are going very well – see you in three more months.

Since things were going so  well, I felt encouraged to ask the doctor if I could run.  No.  I asked if I could jog on a treadmill – no.  I asked if I could ride an exercise bicycle….again, no.  I asked if I could WALK on a treadmill.  Finally, after what seemed like an eternity the doctor said, “Yes.”  He is still not going to let me pick up anything over 10 lbs.  And I will not start Physical Therapy until I am at least 6 months out from the surgery.  He said at that time he will likely allow me to resume “normal activities”.  I asked him to clarify what that meant as my “normal activites” may not be the same as someone elses.  He said we will have to wait to have that discussion until next time.  The look he gave me let me know I had exceeded the 15 question limit so I saved the rest of my list until next time.  I was so excited as I left with the good report that I didn’t even notice I still had on the “always fashionable gown” until I felt a draft in the parking lot.

For now, I am happy that my  bones are healing and that I have not messed them up by being a bone head.  Pray for me to have patience, wisdom, and discretion.  I know that the Lord will continue to watch over me and I will heal IF I don’t get in the way.  During the next 3 months I am holding on to this scripture found in Philippians 1:6

 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 

 I hope that whatever journey the Lord has placed you on that you will continue to place your trust in Him.  He is faithful and He will not let you down.  He will finish the good work He has started in you and through you.

If you would like to know more about a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you can send me an email directly at pastorpstephens@aol.com