I'm Back:)

I have been absent for awhile. I had some health problems that kept me from doing all the activities that I love. About three months ago I noticed a burning in my leg. It happened every once in a while. I also had some back pain. For me this is a common occurance. I started having more burning and pain and soon I could not walk for more that a few feet before the pain was so intense and I was sweating. My usual brisk gait was reduced to a snail's crawl. I went to PT and was told I had sciatica. I started going to a chiropractor and soon was at the Dr.'s office most everyday of the week. I could no longer sit or stand. Soon I could not even take a shower without being in such extreme pain. Childbirth pales in comparison. I was given injections, epidurals and still my once full, busy world was clouded by the constant chronic pain that limited my activities. I was bedridden. I met with a surgeon and told I needed a discectomy. By this time I had lost all reflex in my right leg and had severe nubness and muscle cramping. On May 16th I had the surgery. I was told that 90% of my disc had herniated and was pressing on my sciatic nerve. The intense pain is better. I have been able to slowly resume a life approaching normal. I am having some hope again for the future. Some of the nerve damage I suffered maybe permanent. I am wearing a back brace and going to PT. I am going to resume my DT duties. I am so grateful for MelJen's and The DigiBells for being so understanding during the time I could not post and create. I have learned to be grateful for all I can do. I am hopeful that I can return to dog agility and all my exercising that I engaged in prior to my injury. I am learning to let the little things go and to be grateful for small things, like walking and going outside, sitting, creating, small chores around the house. I am eternally grateful to my family for all their love and support. I could not have made it throught the three months of intense pain and limitations without them. Their love gave me hope when things looked most bleak. Today, I pick up my Copics again and start. My goal is to be more appriciative of what I have and let all the little aggravations go. In the long run they don't mean a thing.