Year: 2012

Dec - 08
2012

Six Month Update–Back to Basics

Six months ago today I had my back operation (a microdiscectomy and laminectomy of L5, if you don’t remember). While the initial recovery had its ups and downs, overall I am reasonably pleased with my progress.  I saw my surgeon a few weeks ago and he told me that I should feel free…

Oct - 04
2012

Notes on Dr. Strangelove

On Thursday, October 4, 2012 I was the guest speaker at the kickoff to a film discussion series hosted by Penn State Wilkes-Barre at Movies 14 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.  The overall theme of the series is movies that have to do with the end of the world.  The first film chosen was Stanley…

Sep - 04
2012

My Tip to the Democrats…

So tonight is the first night of the quadrennial multi-day event known as the Laff-A-Lympics Democratic National Convention.  In typical fashion, the mistakes began well before the convention ever started—by scheduling the convention of the party of labor in a “right to work” state, with the lowest labor union membership in the nation. …

Jul - 23
2012

Vacation–Gotta Get Away (NCAA remix)

As I write this (almost 1:00 PM on July 23), the NCAA penalties to Penn State’s football program have been blowing up the Twitterverse and the rest of the interwebs.  A Google search turns up over 200,000 hits for “Penn State” and NCAA in just the past 24 hours.  Three of the top…

Jul - 13
2012

Day 34 Update–Getting Back To Normal

Well, I had my “1-month” checkup today following my microdiscectomy operation.  The surgeon wants to see me for follow-ups at intervals of 1 month, 3 months, six months and 12 months post-surgery.  In addition to checking on me, part of the routine involves filling out forms where I assess my current pain status…

Jun - 26
2012

Day 18 Update: It’s the Itchy and Scratchy Show!

For the most part, things have been going very well since my back operation.  I haven’t had to take any pain medication beyond some over the counter Aleve and I feel like a brand new person.  Until suddenly on the 15th day after the surgery, I broke out in hives all over my…

Jun - 19
2012

10 Days Update…

10 days post surgery I am feeling pretty good.  The bandage was taken off yesterday, and now all I have are some butterfly bandages which should slough off on their own in the next few days.  Still have to be deliberate with my movements to avoid bending, twisting and lifting, but there is…

Jun - 13
2012

Walking Back

So right now it is five days since I had my operation and I am feeling pretty good.  Yesterday I only took the pain medication twice (12 hours apart), and so far today I have not taken any.  I find myself able to sit and lie down in one position for hours on…