Ten years ago, I had a fusion at the L5-S1 level in my back. I have spinal stenosis and arthritis all over the place so it was pretty necessary. I’ve been relatively pain-free for these ten years until late last year, when the sciatica started up again. I got shots in my back which calmed it down in time for me to take care of Mark during his final illness. But this spring, it started up again with a vengeance, and shots did squat to help.

It took more than six months to get an MRI and appointment with the neurosurgeon who did my last surgery. But I finally met with him today and to my everlasting delight, he knew exactly what was wrong. His PA explained that this often happens with people who’ve had a fusion–the bone above gets harder somehow and as it calcifies it impinges upon the nerve root, causing the sciatic pain.

The surgery he recommends is minimally invasive, nearly outpatient. It involves shaving a small amount off the actual bone of the spine near where it’s impinging. That should take care of it, and I should be back on my feet very soon, a good thing, since we have plans to go to Europe next spring. I so did not want to take my bloody cane with me to Europe. It’s bad enough it has to go with me to Canada next week.

I got a call from the doctor’s office a little while ago, and I’m scheduled for November 14. Hopefully, this long slog will finally be over.