This year so far has been a challenge much like rock climbing. What rock looks sturdy enough to hold on to in order for me to advance? One false move and I could lose my place, swinging out on the safety ropes, which luckily keep me from plummeting all together.
As I regroup after spine surgery, I realize that my back will never be the same. For sure it’s so much better than the last few months of terrible pain. The fact that I could barely put my own clothing on and would get stuck in my own body — a tight pinching throughout the lower back and down both legs — was really scary. I’m free of that now and ecstatic about it, but there still persists a deep aching pain and a slight pull when I stand. I hope it’s just a matter of needing to fully recover from surgery, yet I’m a bit afraid this could become a new way of life for me. My back was in worse shape than I expected. Honestly, I don’t know what I was expecting. I knew something was worse than a muscle pull, but I didn’t know I had weak vertebrae in addition to the “stalagmites” or bone spurs growing on the back bone. So be it, or it is what it is or might be and I’ll find out more when I get staples pulled out on Monday.
There are already a few things I’ll miss out on, such as a jet boat ride down the Rogue River, but I’ve realized over the years with chronic migraines that I need to create my own joy. It’s better to focus on the things I can do rather than cannot do. So I will relax on the hotel deck in the morning, watching the river pass by, and in the afternoon stroll the streets of Grant’s Pass or perhaps hitch a ride with another “left behind” person and go to the casino up north from GP. It’ll all be good. No matter what.
We all have to find our “new normals”. It happens frequently in life, whether happy or sad. A new job, new home, new partner, new baby, winning a jackpot — these are all usually good things but they’re life changing. It’s the same with having to deal with a new disability, losing a loved one, being laid off from a job. All of those are hardships, but we try to persevere so as to survive in a world that’s constantly moving forward with or without us.
I’m still looking for the next foothold. It’s as if I’ve been climbing on automatic pilot and now I realize I’d better get with the program and start being productive. We’ll be moving soon. I have to get going and start packing. So I’ve resolved to get squared with what to expect going forward with this old back. I hope on Monday, I’ll be given a new lease on life, but if not, I’ll have to obtain the lease on different terms. Maybe the result won’t be palacial, but even a tiny cubby hole works for some 🐁🐁🐁.
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