Treatment Plan

Based on what the internist said, my pinched nerve <-> herniated disc will heal on its own over many weeks and the main thing is to reduce inflammation. My web research agrees with the doc: it will heal on its own and will take weeks to months to fully heal. ( http://www.spine-health.com/conditions/back-pain/spinal-cord-and-spinal-nerve-roots, http://www.rebuildyourback.com/pinched-nerve/diagnosis.php)

Chiropractors could help or harm. "exercises can make sciatica worse if it is due to a herniated disc. Acupuncture makes it easier to tolerate the pain but doesn't fix the problem. Chiropractors can be helpful or harmful in any case of sciatica depending on their skill and experience." (http://www.backpain-guide.com/Chapter_Fig_folders/Ch07_Symptoms_Folder/Sciatica.html)

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My favorite quote from my research: "Now if the disc is herniated and damaged to a degree that degenerative healing will not occur ..." (from http://en.allexperts.com/q/Chiropractors-965/herniation-L4-5-L5.htm)

I sure hope I don't have degenerative healing!!!!

It shouldn't be about me

In an effort to stop feeling frustrated and incapacitated, I just sponsored a Women's group in Nepal http://www.etc-nepal.org/sponsorship.php and a female survivor of war http://www.womenforwomen.org/sponsor-a-woman/sponsor-a-woman.php.

I just finished a compelling book about women in Iraq: Sisters in War: a Story of Love, Family and Survival in the New Iraq by Christina Asquith and was re-convinced that grassroots charity is the way to go. Hopefully my unmarried, godless, childless life in the land of plenty won't be completely off-putting to these women, once we start corresponding.

two observations

1. Biking is more comfortable than walking.

2. I can sit in a lounger chair on my patio. In the sun.

cat photos - a lame Mothers' Day post

Delilah was a little camera shy.



But I coaxed her out of it.



Shindy pretended she was a bag lady.



Then she wanted to play.



And on the umpteenth shot, she rested.



I can't imagine where she gets her energy from.