Okay, here it goes, my FIRST blog on gimme20.com!!! I blog a lot (especially on Myspace).... I love to share stories that happen in my life (believe me I have a BUNCH...lol)

I guess I'll start with my goals... I want to get back in shape and strengthen my core muscles. I had my first back surgery in 2003 and my second in 2006! I had 2 herniated discs in my back (L5/S1 and L4/L5). The one didn't cause a problem for almost 2 years, then I went back to the gym. I was there 1 month and I was doing my leg workout (I was on the leg press) and in between sets I was stretching my legs. I felt a POP in my back, no pain, just a pop. I finished my workout and was on my way. The next day I was pretty sore and I took it easy on the next 2 workouts.

My mom was having her hip replaced the next day so I took the day off work and was getting ready to go to the hospital to be with her. I was putting my underwear on after my shower and I got the first NERVE pain shoot down my leg and it put me to the floor! I KNEW that feeling and I KNEW something was WRONG!!

Later that night, I went to urgent care... They gave me a shot and said that I needed to see my neurosurgeon. I knew that also, it doesn't take much after you have had ONE surgery to know the PAIN... I ended up in the ER that night and they put me in the hospital for a WEEK!! This hospital did NOTHING for my back, just laid me there and shot me up with pain meds for a week... I developed a drop foot in the time that I was in the hospital!!! I finally decided to make the call myself (after all the tests were done at THIS hospital)...

They said come to Cleveland Clinic ER immediately (because I had the drop foot)... They said that they could do the surgery right then, but I wanted to wait for MY doc (he was on a spinal convention in FL)... I waited and saw him 3 days later. He wanted to do my surgery the next day, but I was taking ibuprofen at the time so he decided that we wait a week. The next week I had the 2nd surgery.

My first was a complete success... This second one was a complete success BUT I had nerve damage that was the result of the disc tearing up my nerve. It was terrible to see that I couldn't move my toes and I could lift my foot up without it turning under (on the right side). I knew that there was a possibility and if you have EVER had sciatica, you know the relief when it goes away.... I was fine witht he nerve junk, I just wanted the pain to go away!

I still have instability in my right ankle, and my 2 toes (big and 2nd) are numb, but it's definitely improving with time. I can do mostly everything that I could before (as long as I am on STABLE ground. IF I have to do something on unstable ground (hiking, hunting, etc) I try to wear my ankle brace for more support.

I have started using an Xball, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE for rebuilding stability in my core muscles... I began jogging on the treadmill and doing beginner pilates. My diet is SO up in the air because of years of being "carb aware"... I just FREAK out when I eat a piece of bread.... It's something that I have to get over, but it'll take time. I wanted to weigh myself, but I can't find my scale!!! I used it to weigh my kids at school and now I am not sure what car it's in..lol

Alright, I am sure I have BORED you to tears with this, but if not PLEASE get in touch with my... If you have ever had the surgeries and the nerve damage, if you have ever been in my spot, if you just want to "buddy up" I am here.

I have GREAT WILL POWER, once I start... It's just getting the motivation... Any takers of making friends???? Contact me!!!