This time it's personal

I hate to do this, since my blog has really never featured anything particularly personal about me. But I've had a number of people ask me about the veiled allusions to my back problems these last two weeks. So permit me a brief update, please.

Short version: I officially have either arthritis in, or a stuck or fused SI joint. No one is really sure exactly what the diagnosis is. The x-rays show no space between the two sides of the joint on one side - either a stuck or fused joint. There's also a good possibility that I have arthritis in the joint as a result of years of improper joint function.

The end result is pain. But the blessings have been many:

- I definitely don't have a disc problem (something I had long feared and that would likely end in surgery)
- I am no longer using crutches to get around
- I can walk just fine most of the time
- I'm seeing a decrease in required pain meds (Vicodin) every day
- I've had lots of time to read in the last 10 days
- I've gotten somewhat ahead of my class load (the most courses I've ever taken in one semester)
- I've had lots of extra time to be around my family
- My employer has been various gracious and understanding
- I met a very nice guy in my physical therapist
- Most importantly, I've been graphically reminded of my total dependence upon the Almighty

I thank you for your prayers and look forward to continuing my recovery.

Hatushili

PS: If any post in the last two weeks has been in any way lacking - blame it on the Vicodin!