I'm sorry I couldn't get to all of you sooner, but all the preparations and testing had to be finalized. I'm having pieces of bone removed from my lover spinal column to relieve pressure on the nerves so I can walk normally again. I've had back problems for the past few years (mostly due to herniated discks in my lower back), but this January thing got really bad when something snapped while lifting weights in the middle of a workout. The good news is that the operation itself (a laminectomy) is about 2-3 hours long and I'll be in the hospital for a few days, with an estimated 2-3 week recovery at home. For the past three weeks I've been X-rayed, CAT-scanned and tested beyond belief in both Staten Island and Manhattan. My immediate problem is 'lumbar spinal stenosis'- in short, I was born with a narrow lower spinal column which has gotten too narrow for the nerves inside, so when I reinjured my back January, not only were my three herniated discs affected, but now the nerves were now pinched, causing all kinds of pain and numbness to my lower back and thighs, leaving me to use a cane most of the time since then.
Once I'm in recovery or at home I'll let you know how I'm doing- Charles
