15 weeks. Wow. Seems like yesterday I was coming home from rehab. Barely able to walk without a walker. Couldn’t wipe my butt. Couldn’t bend to pick up anything. Hurt all over. Bad.

And here I am at 15 weeks. PT 3 days a week where I’m crushing it. Squats with a 25lb kettle bell. Leg press 132 lbs. Pulling a sled with 120lbs on it. Working on hinging from the hips with a kettle bell. Working on core strength and rotating side to side without twisting. Every session is grueling and I wouldn’t have it any other way. My post PT is pretty equivalent to my pre PT. If you haven’t read that post, take a look to see how I prepared.

I’m more active than I’ve been in almost 2 years. Doing things around the house, refinishing small furniture items, cooking a little bit. Looking forward to each day. No longer waking up in agonizing pain. Fortunately, I have a home health aide 2 days a week. She helps me around the house and that gives me time to rest.

I’m still taking Tramadol ER once a day, gabapentin four times a day, tizanidine 3 times a day. I’ve tried to go without the Tramadol but I could definitely tell that it was missing. I got a medical marijuana card but haven’t gone to a dispensary yet. My sciatic nerve pain can go from 0 to 100 fast. It tingles, throbs and can feel like my leg is hot from the inside. My leg always feels like it’s asleep.

I’m still using a shower chair. I’ve tried standing but I don’t feel stable enough. I don’t use a walker at all now. Just a cane outside the house. Getting in and out of the car is much easier now. Driving is still nerve wracking but I’m getting more comfortable each time I drive.

I started to turn the corner at 8 weeks, then 10 weeks, then 13 weeks and now 15 weeks is better than I ever anticipated. I still rest and nap when I need to. I try to remember recovery is 9-12 months.

You can do this! Think of all the years your spine has caused pain and has stolen your energy and passions from you. The pain and debility after surgery is short lived in comparison. Phillipians 4:13.