I have fought hard against doing this. But it looks like this back surgery and the subsequent recovery are developing into more of a journey than I cared to take. So, I will begin to post today about where I am at present and then my next post will be the catch up - a summary about what has transpired so far. The reason I have resisted blogging to this point is that I am not a faithful writer. I figure no one is really interested in what I am thinking about anything. However, there are dozens, maybe hundreds, of wonderful, godly people who are praying me through this whole ordeal. And I owe you some updates on the results of your prayers.

I have named my blog "Back to Normal" to fit my own prayers that God will move me from where I am after my back surgery to what I call my normal life. That life includes being able to do all the things I love to to do, which chiefly revolves around my family. Free to do all the things I want to do with Terrie - pain free days and dates and outings and vacations. Free to play with my grandkids the way I want to. Free to return to my household chores and be able to lift the things I need to lift throughout the day. This letting people do things for you gets really old and is terrifically humbling! I have always been the doer. I am so thankful for everyone who has stepped in and done so much for me. I don't know what I would have done without you. I'm just ready to do more for myself. Okay, enough whimpering.

The quick update: at my last doc visit, he suspected that I have a pinched nerve at the L5 level in my lower back. To confirm that and see exactly where it might be, he ordered a CT myelogram, which I had done on Thursday, July 19. Apparently, I will not know the results of that exam until I go to my next appointment with my doc on August 9. At that time he will read the film of the exam and let me know what he sees. Frankly, I am praying for a pinched nerve because he tells me he can fix that with another surgical procedure - the one he does most often. So, until August 9, I will deal with the pain in my left foot and keep praying for the pinched nerve diagnosis - or at least that the doc sees something that he can remedy in some way. So, if you are still praying for me, please request the same. Thanks!