Saturday was a Red Letter Day for me because I was able to take a shower for the first time in the month of March.
On Friday, leads attached to my spine were removed after 11 days during which no showers were allowed. I did see Mark at HairCrafters for a shampoo and haircut.
Friday marked the end of my second Spinal Cord Stimulator Trial seeking relief from the discomfort in my back caused by severe Spinal Stenosis. Unfortunately, neither trial was successful.
My back pain and significant tears in my left side distal tendons are forcing me to use a walker to move around. The Doctor at KU told me my hips were so debilitated he actually wondered how I could walk even with the help. He then added the bad news that those tendon tears were not repairable – meaning a wheelchair is likely in my future.
Obviously, that news was disconcerting after undergoing and surviving major open-heart surgery in August. “Surviving the surgery” is an understatement because my Septal Myectomy was very successful making my ticker more efficient and my energy level improved greatly!
These developments obviously weren’t the future I was seeking, but life goes on. My first goal is to keep a wheelchair in mothballs. Strengthening my core is a big key so exercise including aquatic therapy is now on my weekly schedule.
It is easy to feel sorry for myself and I do have an occasional pity party, but my strong support team makes sure those moments don’t last long.
All the nice days this winter have made not being able to play golf more difficult, but I’m learning to cope and I have a few projects in mind to fill the void. Heck, I could follow my golfing buddies around and heckle them, but they are so bad I think I’ll stick to watching my grandsons golf.
Seriously, I’m not sure how much of this I should be sharing, but I’ve been open about my heart condition and I feel the need to explain why I’m now using a Walker. Please don’t be embarrassed to speak when you see me.
My situation could be much worse. I can still drive and think and create and while I do have a difficult time remembering names on occasion I’m still hosting my shows here on KVOE and participating in decisions too.
I may have slowed down a bit, but I still have some things to say, so please stay tuned.
I’m Steve Sauder.
