This has been a strange month.  On April 16, 2012 I suddenly began to have pain in my left  hip and down the front outside of my left leg.  I had been having pain in that hip after walking for several years.  I came home and was in significant pain.  I took some pain medication left over from my previous foot surgery.

I made a mistake by going to work the next day, my birthday, as I was miserable.  I used a cane to try to walk.  I must walk a considerable amount in my work.

Early Wednesday morning, I called the Carrell Clinic where I was an established patient.  I was seen that morning and the doctor thought I had trochanteric bursitis.  As it turns out, I really had a ruptured lumbar disc, later proven by a MRI.  I had an injection of steroid into the area where the disc material was putting pressure on the nerve.  I had some immediate improvement!

I have been on a roller coaster since, with much pain and no pain.  Today is Saturday, and it is the “best” day I have had since April 16th.  I hope it lasts.  I am hoping to avoid having surgery on my back.

The good did not last.  I am back in pain, about like before the injection.  I am scheduled for  surgery on Thursday.  I have been on steroids for a month.