I'm Back! (kind of..)

Hey guys, it's been a long time!

I just wanted to check in and see how everyone was doing. Unfortunately, I have been away for quite some time due to work, 2 kids and horrible back pain and sciatica. In an attempt to get the pain resolved, I found that I have Grade 1 Spondylolisthesis of my L4 over L5, pars fractures and 5 bulging discs going up into the T-vertebrae. The spondy is what is causing 99% of the awful nerve pain that radiates into both legs and slowly progressed to a point where I get the pain sweats just walking through the grocery store (it literally feels like somebody is ripping ligaments/nerves out of my thighs with pliers). It's a constant, radiating and excruciating pain all day, every day - while laying down or standing/walking. I definitely wouldn't wish the nerve pain on my worst enemy.

I'll be getting an XLIF (eXtreme Lumbar Interbody Fusion) within the next few months here (I have to stop smoking first...) and the surgeon is confident that will resolve the pain. The recovery time with the XLIF compared to traditional open-back surgery is cut by like 80% and some people in my age group (25-32) have been able to pick up golfing after only 1-2 months post-op - with a plate and screws involved! It really, really sucks to have to consider surgery at age 30, but years of football and labor and wear n' tear took its toll.

Anyways, I hope everyone has been doing well and I hope to get more involved in TST again in the very near future. I miss talking golf, beer, women and other shenanigans with you guys!

PS: If anyone has had this procedure, please feel free to provide me with some feedback and let me know how your road to recovery went. XLIF is fairly new and started becoming more popular in 2013 from what I see, so it's something to consider for anyone dealing with similar problems.

Good to 'see' ya here!  Get healthy and well soon.  We may be playing a LOT more golf this spring/summer.  My wife will be scheduled carpel-tunnel surgery soon and has a bum knee now from delivering mail in this CRAP weather we have!

Again, best wishes for a full and speedy recovery.

dave

I will definitely be around much more. I'll have to do a lot of reading to catch up on all of the new characters around here!

Absolutely, Dave!

I bought all new clubs last year and I was only able to play them twice! Definitely looking forward to getting my back reinforced with some titanium so I can get back out there ASAP.

I kind of wondered where you went.

Welcome back!

Look after Number One, brother :-)