Day 18 Pt. 2 - Tara's Reaction to My Blog

Tara is my stylist's girlfriend. Despite what her face may say, she was actually mesmerized by the blog. Yes, I do have a stylist...and a personal shopper.

Day 18 - Spray Bottles

Sorry...it's been a few days. Yesterday morning I was trying to clean the glass surface pictured below with your everyday household cleaner. As you can see I was running low but still had sufficient quantity to complete the task.
However, when I went to spray the solution nothing came out. When I pointed the nozzle towards the surface, the cleaning solution collected AWAY from the suction tube. It would be one thing if the tube went straight down and scavenged as much liquid as it could. But if you notice in the picture below, the tube is intentionally bent away from where the liquid collects.
I doubt this is any accident. How often are you cleaning your ceiling or some other surface that requires you to aim the bottle up? Basically never. This is a conspiracy. They clearly have the technology to shape the tube to a desired shape and orientation but they do not use it to benefit the consumer. Instead they force you to buy a refill so that you can use that last precious ounce but then the cycle repeats itself over and over again. Or you do the thing where you point the bottle up and spray a few times so it will suck up the liquid, and then point it where you want so you can shoot those 3 partial sprays on to your dirty surface. Either way I am fed up and am going to start manufacturing my own bottles and making my own cleaning solution.

On a more serious note, I am nearly pain-free after my epidural steroid injection!! I still have numbness and weakness in my right leg but at least it doesn't hurt. And since I am no longer on a steady diet of pain pills I can start to think clearly once again...

Day 15 - Epidural Day

Early this morning I received my lumbar epidural steroid injection. I felt like I was conscious during the entire procedure, but I don't remember them injecting anything. I think that may have been the result of the light sedation. I feel slightly less pain in my back but that is probably from the local anesthesia. It will take a few days to notice the full effect. I don' t have any pictures of the procedure so I'll post some that I took on Saturday.
Yeah, we were wondering the same thing...WTF?!?
They were everywhere...walking/running along the street and through Balboa Park.After some research, it was discovered that it was the Red Dress Run. The RDR is put on by the San Diego Hash Hound Harriers and raises zero dollars for no cause.

Day 14 - Triscuits

If you're like me, then you've often wondered how in the heck they make a Triscuit. It's much more complicated than your everyday cracker. It has a formed shaped with ridges on both sides, but more than that the individual "fibers" are striated parallel to each other.Well today I found a little surprise at the bottom of my Triscuit bag. One of the Triscuits was not properly formed and there was an air pocket between the two halves. When I separated it I noticed there was a uniform mesh on each half. I hypothesized that this orthogonal mesh was pre-made out of soy or some other organic material. It is this mesh that is used as a backing for the fibers. The fibers are laid uni-directionaly on the mesh and then it is formed and baked. Check out the mesh...Well, that is my guess at it anyway. Maybe the TV shows "How It's Made" or "Unwrapped" will feature it one day. Yes, I am bored...epidural tomorrow!!

Day 13 - BBQ

coming soon...

Day 12 - Popeye's Delivery

I was treated to some southern hospitality tonight by my brother Josh and his fiancee Angie. They went out of their way to grab me some delicious fried chicken and hot buttermilk biscuits from Popeye's. I often receive flack from people when they find out about my infatuation for Popeye's but I will tell any of you doubters, Don't knock it til you try it. Thanks Josh and Angie!!

Day 11 - Pain Stache?

Believe it or not I had several requests to get rid of my facial hair growth. I am now clean shaven once again but I did take a brief pause during the process to see what I would look like as the guy who drives this van...

and here he is...
Is that dude creepy or what?!

Day 10 Part 3 - Pain Goatee

Due to insufficient growth and bum-like appearance I decided to clean up the ol' pain beard and go with a goatee. It looks equally ridiculous, but a couple of braids and some grey hair dye and I'll be looking like Brad Pitt.

Day 10 Part 2 - Day Care

I am fortunate to have 2 full-time nurses during the day. They do not bring food or drinks when I ask them but they do keep me company. I told them I would mention them on the blog, so I present to you Sweet Pea (pictured left) and Luna.

Day 10 Part 1 - Pain Reliever

I have some exciting news...my number of occurrences of daily pain has been instantly reduced. Thanks to Brittany, I now have a portable/bedside urinal. I had the pleasure of using one of these devices in the ER (quite handy when you are unable to walk or stand). I decided I wanted to personalize it a bit so I added some frog and insect stickers. I will probably add robots too. Can't wait to try this bad boy out!

Day 9 - Pain Beard

Ever since my visit to the ER, I have not shaven. If you were wondering what I would look like if I got lost in the woods for 9 days and then found this is it...(well, I probably wouldn't have the droopy eyes from pain meds and muscle relaxers)
Although it is nowhere close to a full beard, I have dubbed my facial hair growth the "pain beard" as a measure of how long it's been since this whole backiotomy thing started. Also, Chuck Norris has a beard and he does not feel pain. None whatsoever.

Day 8 - Orthopedic Surgeon

Unfortunately, not a whole lot has changed since last Monday. I am still in a good amount of pain and limited to being able to do nothing. I decided to start this blog to keep people up-to-date on my current condition and progress. It also helps me from having to repeat things frequently. And I am extremely bored during the day.

I saw a orthopedic surgeon today to evaluate my MRI results and discuss treatment options. We are going the non-surgical route first. I will be getting an epidural soon to relieve the pain while my back slowly heals. If that is not effective, I will most likely undergo a microdiscectomy to remove the disc fragment blocking the nerve.

Below are some excellent videos about my injury and treatment.

Sciatica Video
Microdiscectomy Video

Background (read first)

In the early morning hours of Saturday May 8th I was shifting large bags of rocks (don't ask) which generated some of my occasional lower back pain. After a few hours of sleep in the morning it was time to head home. When I went to load an 82-pound equipment case I aggravated my back a bit further. I flew home Saturday night and went straight to bed. The following morning when I got out of the shower the occasional intense pain became constant and started escalating. I ended up taking an ambulance (could no longer walk) to the ER. I was given morphine, tramadol, and another painkiller but none of them seemed to help. Finally, fentanyl offered some pain relief. Because of the intense pain and location they suspected a possible kidney stone. A CT-scan quickly ruled that out. Eventually a MRI revealed the exact cause of my symptoms. I have a large right paracentral soft disc herniation with subarticular gutter sequestered free fragment. Below are a few of the MRI shots...