March 2012
5 posts
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SERIOUSLY?!?!?!?!
This week has turned out to be anything but the lovely, relaxing, well deserved Spring Break that I have anticipated. Truthfully… It has been one of the saddest and roughest weeks of my life.
Where do I begin?
Well… First… I just want to say that I’m not looking for a pity party here at all. This blog has been therapeutic for me. It has been a place for me to let out...
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Back in the Tunnel I Go! :-/
Quickly…
I’m going back in for another MRI today at 2:45… in about 2 hours. I have been feeling back pain and muscle spasms again… just like before the surgery. The numbness in my foot, toes, and shin seem to be coming back to what they were. This really all started to happen after the Nerve Study…. GRRR!
The doc has put me on Lyrica for now to calm my nerves down...
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Nerve Conduction Study (EMG) = NOT FUN!
So… today I went for an EMG or a Electromyogram Nerve Conductive Study. I guess the purpose of this study was to find out if my nerves are communicating properly with my brain and spinal cord. What I didn’t know was that they were going to stick me with needles (NOT LIKE ACUPUNCTURE) and “listen” to my nerves to see if there was anything actively irritating the nerve.
...
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Another Great post from Breaking Muscle... Ego,... →
Interesting take on the love of Jiu Jitsu! →
breaking-muscle:
Jiu-Jitsu, I Do!
A great essay for those who have a “relationship” with their training.
http://breakingmuscle.com/martial-arts/jiu-jitsu-i-do
February 2012
6 posts
5 tags
Here we Roll again...
Last night was the first time that I have trained at Yamasaki for a long… LONG time (since March of 2011); and boy did it hurt feel so good!
It was really great to see some of the old faces smile when they saw me and extend a “Welcome back” or “Good to see you again” nod or gesture or quick chat while warming up. It felt great to be missed and welcomed, as if it...
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eighttoinfinity replied to your post: I Am Officially Cleared To Roll!
Good to hear you’re doing better! Not sure if this will help but doesn’t hurt to look… check out mobilitywod.com Take care and definitely keep listening to your body.
Thanks, I’ll definitely check this out.
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I Am Officially Cleared To Roll!
So… I went to my Surgeon today for my 12 week post-op follow up… AND…
I am completely off all meds except for some Advil now and again. I have been going to the gym religiously and doing lots of core strengthening and balance training, some light lifting / upper body, and a bit of running (no more than 3 miles, my calf/upper achilles can’t take much more) and elliptical...
natamay-deactivated20120708 asked: I was browsing and saw the picture of your surgery, and I just have to say I am incredibly jealous. It took me months to get an MRI to prove I herniated a disc (im 21 so it was rare). And my incision is at least twice as long as yours. Just had to say, completely jealous. lol
leebasays asked: I'll pray for you. I am also struggling with the same back issues. I don't want surgery so I am seeking another option for now. Bless.
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January 2012
4 posts
3 tags
Here... We... GO!
Just completed my first 5K since July 31st 2011! It took me 39:40 to finish but I did it!!!
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man...”
– Theodore Roosevelt (via thesewoodsbreatheevil)
Wisdom!
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I'm Five Fingerin'... Doctors Orders!
I am now, today, officially six weeks post-op and feeling GREAT! Since my last post, I have hit the gym almost every day… religiously! I have lost about 15 pounds, and have now been narcotic pain med free for more than 3 weeks. I have even stopped taking all muscle relaxers (Flexeril and Tizanadine) and am down to one Cymbalta per day (AM) and Meloxicam (NSAID) only when I need it.
I...
December 2011
6 posts
“You were born an original. Don’t die a copy.”
– John Mason (submitted by my-candy-jar)
Well said!
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Happy New Year! 3 Weeks, 6 Days Post-Op...
Hey Ya’ll, Remember me?
I know, I know… It’s been quite a while since my last post; About 3 weeks and 6 days to be exact. I was ordered by my Doctor not to sit, so I have been doing the least sitting possible since my last surgery. This includes sitting at my computer, or working (I’m a Tech guy), or driving, or being a passenger in a car for more than 20 min at a time...
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....Before and After.....
Before:
And after:
Well, I made it through another one (Discectomy; second one in 8-9 weeks) today 12/5/11. The HEALING (both Mentally and Physically) begins NOW!
Thanks to all those who have expressed and given their Love, Support, and Prayers! I sincerely appreciate it with all my heart <3
See ya next Post!
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T-Minus 3 Hours and Counting
I’m Going in this morning for my second Discectomy at L5-S1… Wish me LUCK!
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Time Change!
Well the hospital called and changed my surgery time from 3:30pm to 9:30am on Monday. Really… not a big deal but now I can’t drink, or eat anything after midnight the night before (Duh… Sunday). Also, I have to be there by 7:30. (a little earlier than I prefer) but at least I’ll get it over with quick and be home early. When it was at 3:30, I just had to stop eating or...
November 2011
7 posts
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It's Going Down...
Monday, December 5th 2011 at 3:30 PM in Shady Grove Adventist Hospital; My second and hopefully my last Discectomy for a long time. Six week recovery; No sitting longer than 30 min, no bending or twisting. No lifting. Lots of walking!
From that day forward, I begin the healing process, both physically and mentally. I will take my life back and be a better person than I was before this all began.
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...Just as I suspected!
Like I said before, I’m no Doctor, but I sure am getting good at reading these MRI’s!
Here’s what the report said:
So, I just met with Dr Levin again, and we discussed surgery as an option again. The funny thing is that this herniation or extrusion has nothing to do with the other one that he operated on just six weeks ago. It was just a case of bad timing. If they both went...
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Six Weeks Post-Op
I know, I know… it’s been a while since you’ve heard from me. Probably because I’m just plain depressed at how things have progressed since the surgery. The first two weeks after the surgery, I was feeling good. I was on my way to the doc’s for a two week checkup, when out of nowhere, I rolled the window down at 30 MPH and hurled out the window. My poor daughter was...
Looks like L5 - S1 this time! :(
Just got another MRI and if I’m getting as good as I think I am at reading them (after a dozen or so) its looking like some more surgery in my future.
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October 2011
17 posts
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WatchThis is the Academy at which trained before (and will train after) back problems.
Great Video… Osssss!
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OMG! ...Look at my Butt ...It is so Big! I look...
It has been almost two weeks from my surgery. As a matter of fact, I will be going to see Dr. Levin for my two week post-op checkup tomorrow morning.
Believe it or not, It has been 6 months since my first post which began my BJJ hiatus, and there has been around 19 posts since then, regarding my struggle. If you have been following, you probably know by now that I’m not a very private...
Good luck Matt and I wish you a speedy recovery.
Elanor Cato
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Thanks!
little-fighter replied to your post: My Punching Bag Has An Ulcer!
HAHA I did not understand the title, but then I read the post. That’s quite clever and I hope it all works out!
Thanks again Little-Fighter. I be back on the mat in no time and my posts will actually be about BJJ as it began. Keep reading and supporting me, I appreciate it and it helps me get back there… closer every day.
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“Fighting reveals…that manhood, that endless test is a sham, an illusion of...”
– A Fighter’s Heart by Sam Sheridan (via little-fighter)
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My Punching Bag Has An Ulcer!
I finally heard back from the Dr. Levin and he sent me to an ear nose and throat Doctor. As it turns out… My uvula (that punching bag thingy in the back of your throat) has an ulcer on it from intubation just prior to surgery. That’s why I have been having such a sore throat for the past week as I mentioned in my last post.
No more Augmentin… A week of Prednisone and some...
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One Week Later...
So, It has been a week since my discectomy procedure and I must say that I am feeling pretty good. Better every day as a matter of fact! The strength of my shin has dramatically improved and the numbness is slowly going away. I feel very fortunate to have such great results. I almost wish that I had done this sooner. I guess it happened the way it did for a reason. The pain is getting better...
Prayers and blessings headed your way, Matt.
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Every Day I'm Shufflin'
Well… I did it!! I made it through the discectomy procedure, and thankfully with no complications.
When I arrived, in Pre-Op, everyone was quite welcoming and friendly. However, I was told that I must remove my contacts for the surgery. :-/ This made me a bit nervous because I couldn’t identify any of the myriad doctors and nurses that were questioning me or sticking me with...
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little-fighter replied to your post: The Time Has Come!
Good luck, hope all goes well!
Thanks Little-Fighter!
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The Time Has Come!
Sooner or later, the time would come… and it has arrived.
Since My last post I had the MRI on Wednesday of last week and saw Dr. Levin again the very next day. Although I told him that some of the strength had come back, he wasn’t very impressed with my progress. I am able to use my shin a bit more but my toe is apparently still paralyzed from the compression of the L5 nerve. He...
September 2011
6 posts
5 tags
Everything Happens For A Reason
I’m really not sure what that reason is yet, but I look forward to finding out.
Well it’s been almost three weeks since my last informative post about my foot drop and impending surgery. Well, I called the office last Friday to speak with the surgeon’s medical assistant and to see if Dr. Levin wanted to see me before my scheduled surgery on the 26th of September. Here is the...
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A Chip Off The Old Block
“Then” has come and gone, so it’s about time I write this.
I went to meet with Dr Levin for a surgery consultation yesterday. He explained to me in more detail what I have going on as he sees it on the MRI. Basically, my extruded disc is actually a piece or fragment of the disc between L4 and L5 that has dislodged itself and is now caught between my vertebrae and the nerve that...
