The Boy is Back in the Boat!

Yesterday, after eleven weeks, this boy got back into the boat.  What a joy! What a relief that I can still crew with mates, still pull my weight.  The water was wreathed in wisps of fog, the morning warm (for February), the boat moving well.  We finished with a 700 mtr sprint race with a wounded quad -- not much to crow about, but we caught and passed them at the finish buoy.

It all started one morning in late November, I couldn't swing my legs out of bed, couldn't stand erect. The pain was excruciating and for several days, mornings started out with a yelp of pain, with a crouching, scrabbling parody of walking.  X-rays showed a frightful scoliosis -- one I never knew I had.  I should have had a clue a couple of years ago: stroking a pair one day, my partner kept telling me to sit up straight; that I was leaning to the right.  No, I protested, what the hell are you talking about -- I am sitting up straight!

Well, we were both right, for my spine sure looks unnaturally twisted. Gradually, day by day, while the mornings were horrid, I would get more upright and mobile as the day wore on.  As I subsequently learned, the discs were pressing out fluid and adjusting.



A subsequent MRI showed three stenoses -- severe pinches of the spinal chord. Here on the right is the spinal chord, in white; you can see the three pinches.  Scary.


Off to see two of the best orthopedic spine surgeons in town, one a minimally invasive technician, the other a traditional 'open 'er up and let's take a look' guy.  One said "if we operated on pictures, you'd be a candidate.  But we don't.  We operate on pain, mobility and strength.  And you are not a candidate for surgery."  The other said, looking at the films, "you must be a stoic. But no, avoid surgery as long as possible.  You're not there yet."  Two surgeons; no surgery; not bad.  Both prescribed physical therapy and cautioned against forceful chiropractic.

The physical therapy has brought much relief and steady recovery.  I still wince and groan in the morning, I still have to sleep on my side, sit in stiff-back chairs, use lumbar pillows and do my stretches. And I wore a back brace yesterday.  But, I am improving every day ...

...and I am back in the boat!