Thoughts considering another back surgery.

I've been told again that the only way to fix my numbing legs and painful back (when I stand) is to fuse L3 in with the already fused group L4, L5 and S1. L2 is OK right now... but is suspect.

On October 13th I received my second-ever cortisone injection - to ...hmmm, I didn't ever fully understand why? (come to think of it) ... was it to see if I get any relief from the injection? or the doc had to suggest it to make sure he had "offered" alternatives to surgery? Was it in order to consider just living with the injections? Another hmm. Well, anyway, I am again amazed at how much pain I am in normally - now that the shot is helping and my back doesn't hurt I can feel the difference. I thought I only had pain when I was standing for about 15 min. Now I see that there is excruciating pain and regular pain. Regular pain I have all the time. Excruciating pain I have after standing for a few minutes.

So with this new feeling of not feeling my regular pain, I ventured about for a walk. My hope was to be able to complete a 20 min. walk in the neighborhood without having to stop or bend over, without the excruciating pain kicking in.

Today the sky is rich blue. Brown leaves swirl on the sidewalk and across the street. Moms are walking with children, dogs on leashes. The sun is warm, the air is crisp. I'm optimistic. What a great day to be outside. "Hmmm. I can tell that my left foot is numb on the bottom. Down the back of my leg... yeah, numb too. Check the time.... What? This can't be right... It's only been 4 min." Think back... I guess I was on my feet for some time before actually walking out the door... regardless... even though I don't have the excruciating pain (which from here on will be called the "X" pain), I have a left leg numb. So I sit for a few minutes - watch the ducks. There are two jets passing overhead. A woman is using a plastic glove to clean up after her dog.

Back up - and home. Results of the experiment. - I still can't walk for 20 min. - with or without the injection. But I enjoyed my attempt, every 15 min. of it. I finish up my exercise time by doing 30 min on the stationery bike.

Still don't know if I should do the surgery or not. But I enjoyed being able to walk without the X pain. I wonder how I'll know either way.