Pain, fear and maybe hope (part 2)

In case you missed part 1, read that first. 

On top of everything else that has been going on with covid, I (and my dad) have been struggling with back issues. Mine started about a year ago but have gotten worse over the last few months (blaming my sitting job for this). Unfortunately, my usual chiropractic tricks of the trade haven't helped much. Per my chiropractor's recommendation I saw a specialist back in July. He recommended a course of heavy duty  ibuprofen for about 10 days; helped a bit until they made me super nauseous. Then last month I had some sort of weird food allergy thing that made my face all red, angry and itchy so a course of prednisone for that (actually helped with the back pain some too. Seeing an allergist on the 27th for that...). Then on top of moving, work, other things, sadly I do what I usually do; let my ailments take a back seat until things are a little less crazy. So unfortunately, things weren't getting better and so my chiropractor suggested (actually recommended) steroid/nerve block injections. The specialist mentioned them at first and I was extremely reluctant at first, even when my chiropractor too mentioned them about a month ago. I said I'd have to think about it. And I did, weighed the risks, benefits, pros and cons, still really didn't want to when I returned for a visit at the beginning of the month. I shared my concerns, my honest fears, the main one being that it isn't a guarantee they'll even work. But then my chiropractor said "well would you rather keep being in pain or have any time without pain?" So I finally agreed, because he was exactly right. When you've lived with pain issues as long as I have, you will be grateful for any amount of relief (whether reduced pain or no pain) for as long as you can get it. After an MRI and some x-rays, the MRI showed mild degeneration on my L4 disc. x rays showed mild degeneration on my L5/S1 facet joints (joints in between your back bones). 

So yesterday I had two steroid/numbing injections in my lower back. Not awesome, but not the most painful thing I've experienced. They just felt weird more than anything. My PCP prescribed me some Ativan to take beforehand, and I jokingly told the tech I wish I had taken both of them! At least I had a nice nap when I got home. I was awed by the kindness of strangers yesterday; from the staff at the center, the doctor who not only did the injections, kindly walked me through everything that was going on and walked with me to the recovery room, and for the uber driver on the way home who stopped at the Wendy's drive thru for me because I said I was hungry. There is still good, kindness and hope we must hold onto during this time. My dad on the other hand, after his years of back pain struggles, found out he has spinal stenosis in his L3/L4. Unfortunately, after many conservative measures, they did not help and he has to have surgery. So next Wednesday he'll be having an L3/L4 fusion and will be in the hospital for a few days. My mom will get to be with him at least. I just hate this for him, for obvious reasons but honestly for myself as well. I fear in a few years this will be me too. I HATE that already at 30 I'm having to think about this. I really don't want to, but a lot of my issues are genetic. Maybe these injections will do the trick and I'll have many months (or years even) of no pain. 

For now, I'm just taking one day at a time. My dad will no doubt get through all of this without a hitch. He's tough, like me. I got it from him. Just trying to stay positive, keep the faith and remember where I've come from and the One who brought me through it all.