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L5-S1 Herniation to the left side

L4-L5 annular tear

Those are the basic changes.

The MRI from two years ago showed a bulging disc at L3-L4, a possible annular tear at L4-L5, desiccation at L5-S1 and the appearance of arthritis in the lower lumbar.

Can’t say I’m surprised.

Waiting for an appointment to be scheduled with a spinal surgeon.

I heard he is “conservative” with assigning surgery. That could be good because I don’t want an unnecessary procedures. At the same time, I’ve been suffering considerable life altering pain for more than three years already. I’m just wondering now, “How much longer?”

Went for a 17 minute swim today. I was mostly just floating and working my arms. I only used my legs to walk from wall to wall in the shallow end.

Now I’m laying down because I ache quite a bit. It’s all I can do besides take a pain killer. I might take a half of one eventually, but I am trying to hold off for as long as possible. I really don’t like being fuzzy headed. Nor do I care for the itching or the odd body-high.

I had the best highs ever when I was a runner. Those days are over, unfortunately.

Now I’m blogging and trying to tune out the neighbor’s surround-sound. I really hate him. I’ve determined that I will have to keep a 3am to 6pm schedule so that I will have some quiet time to study.

Management knows about this issue, but nothing is being done. We want to move, but don’t have the money to.