I haven't posted in a while due to some unforeseen problems with my back. As most of you know I played offensive line in the NFL, a position that lends itself to extreme contact play after play. There is no "off play" for this position, it's full contact every time. Playing guard is even more brutal as this position tends to pull and lead blocks a lot.
Well, to say the least I've had my share of injuries both during my playing days and in the years since my retiring from the game. While I've had problems with my discs and sciatica, it's just been something I've learned to "live with",that all endedtwo weeks ago.
Got some bad news, I went away a couple weeks ago with my son camping and my back had been acting up as it has so many times before. It usually lasts for 7-10 days then subsides with the usual pain down my legs. Well this timeit seems that not only did my back not get any better since I left for home on that Sunday, it got worse.....a whole lot worse! Seems I found out that Monday morning I couldn't walk!......at all...or sit...or stand! So, off in the ambulance I went to the emergency roomat a local Hospital. I was given some great pain killers through my IV and a pack of steroids to help reduce the swollen disc. Home I went and was told I should feel some relief in about two to three days. I still couldn't walkbut I hoped a couple days off my feet would do the trick.
So, two days later not only is the steroid pack not working, I'm getting worse. So.......another fun ambulance ride to a different Hospital where my back doctor is on staff. He orders up an MRI (open of course because my fat arse can't fit in a closed one) this meant....yep another ambulance ride to an open MRI facility. weeeeee, I'm having loads of fun now hopping from bed to gurney again and again. Now let me make this very clear, even the best pain meds (short of putting youout) don't do a hill of beans for severe extreme nerve pain. I was getting an IVMorphine dripevery 6 minutes and I couldn't wait to hit the button again and again.
The results of the MRI werenot good, the disc that had ruptured years ago while in footballhad now collapsed but at least it wasn't the source of the nerve pain. From what the doctor told me there is really nothing left in between thatvertebra to herniate out any more. The disc above which had previously been bulging had severelyherniated in a massive......massive way.
The fist course of action was to try try to shrink it with a direct cortisone shot, so they prepped me and sent the horse needle on it's way into my spine. Again it's "Give it two to three days to work". After three days of laying in the hospital on my right side (the only position that didn't cause me to pass out from the pain) and hitting the Morphine button like a junkie, I tried to walk to see if there is any progress. I get about 20 ft with the help of a walker and have to be wheeled back to my bed where I lay on my right side and wait for the indescribable pain to subside enough to even communicate with the staff to let them know the shot didn't work.
To make matters worse, the Morphine drip I was on had to be taken away so as to not become addicted to it. I WAS NOT HAPPY. I was now getting Morphine shots but at much longer intervals. That night I woke up in a pool of my own sweat (detoxing no doubt) and waited for my operation in the morning. The doctor operated on me Friday morning (three days ago)and took out a piece of disc about the size of an averagering finger!
I'm home now and healing well but I'm not allowed to sit for more that 1/2 hour three time a day for at least two weeks. I can't drive either for that time period or even ride in a car.Needless to say pretty much most of my hunting season is over. I might get some late season hunting in due to our long bow season but it all depends on how I heal and how those vertebraereact with so much disc now missing.It will probably collapse like the other in time but as long as it doesn't herniate again, I can live with it's effect it will have on me.......just a price I have to pay I guess.
I'm really not too concerned about missing the hunting, some other things are far more important and getting back on my feet with no major long term major pain is my goal so I'm gonna take my time and rehab as best I can and take my time..... I do not want to go through this again...no way!
I'll check in from time to time but won't post too much till I can sit up for longer periods of time (couple weeks).
Anyway, just wanted to say hey and let you all know what was going on.....Good luck to all this seasonand be safe.
Heck,the last time I talked to you it was a cold you were battling,man that is some tough luck.Hope it gets to feeling better real soon so you can get back on your feet.
Good to hear from ya John, sucks the news is not so good! I hope you heal well and quick!
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Big River Longbow 66" 52# @ 28"
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Big River Longbow 62" 52# @ 28"
Big River Recurve 56" 52# @ 28"
NewWood Longbow 58" 45# @ 28"
Dang big John, I am really sorry to hear you are going through so much trouble and pain with the back. I hope the recent surgery will make a difference and that you can get back to a normal routine in time. Keep us posted please and I will remember you in my prayers and be thinking of you while in the woods. College ball did a toll on my body, I cant imagine how the NFL must have been, from one former football playerwithmy ownfused and plated back...to another, I wish you a speedy recovery. Back troubles I never quite understood until I went through them myself.. They really do put a damper on a guy and your right the pain is undescribable sometimes. God Bless big fella, get well.
Man that's gota suck big time, no hunting, not to mention your back. Makes my back painsound like I stuck myself with a needle. hope you heal fast enough to at least get out this year...
Checking in....with not so good news.
