Back in the saddle again? Nope, have to twist to do that!

Jerry and I went to a neurosurgeon today. You have heard of thumb wrestling? Well, I had the chance to big toe wrestle with my toes pushing his hand up while he tried to push my toes down. I almost laughed. He hit all the reflexes, had me close my eyes while he did the neuro version of “Is this better, or is that better?” along my legs and feet. The weirdest though was walking on my heels. He left the room after all that and Jerry said, “You aren’t going to have surgery. You did too well on all that.” Dr. Enders was right. I am having TWO epidural shots on Dec 15th and Dec 29th at Sunnyside Hospital. I know who is doing it. PA Brad Oliver who was the great neuro PA who helped me avoid surgery on my carpet tunnel; which is doing quite well, thank you very much. The idea is that the shots inject steroids, and some other meds that calm the inflammation of the nerves. Treating the symptoms. If it goes badly, I will continue to hurt. If it goes well, I may feel good for months, a year, even multiple years. I can have only 3 shots in a year.
Dr Vora said that the only surgery I would qualify for is the one where bone is removed to relieve pressure on the nerves that are compressed. The spondy would not be amused by not having less support, so the surgery would definitely involve fusion with screws and plates. Now that sounds like more fun than filleting tuna. (Does anyone I am writing remember the all-night canning of tuna at the St. Paul cannery? I had to throw away my clothes!)
Curves is OUT! I can do treadmill (does that mean NordiTrak?) and I can use a exercise bike (does that mean Schwinn Aerodyne?), swim (scaredy-cat ick), do water exercise (ick), and walk if I can get to the point that it doesn’t hurt. Actually, walking on a flat surface when I am not tired isn’t too bad. I tried a tiny little incline at Kimberly’s house and couldn’t make it even 100 feet. In July it was a piece of cake. I have to start something soon. The 4” I lost of my stomach is inching (haha!) back. I can do static abdominal exercises and upper body weights as long as it doesn’t involve the back. Seems like lots of restrictions for someone who loves weight training. No bending over, lifting, pushing, pulling, twisting. So much for being on “Dancing with the Stars!”