Convalescence (Day 5)

This morning I saw a spine doctor.  Finally, after almost four months someone with an “MD” attached to their name has confirmed that I have what I’ve suspected all along: a herniated disc.

The next step is to get an MRI to see how extensive the damage is.  I was really hoping to get that today, but unfortunately the soonest I can get in to get one is Friday.  Then I meet with the doctor again next Wednesday, so it’s unlikely I will know anything different until that time.  At some point I’m going to need to make a decision (surgery v. non-surgery).  There are many factors at play in this decision and it is not one I am going to take lightly.

I’m continuing physical therapy and doing my exercises several times a day.  The hot tub helps some too as well as moist heat.

Picked up a bunch of DVDs from the library.  Trying to keep from getting bored.

McCain Flip Flops on Length of Time in Iraq

McCain: Success in Iraq ‘within reach’ – CNN.com:

Sen. John McCain said success in Iraq was “within reach,” as a Senate panel held a high-profile hearing on the war Tuesday that will involve all three presidential candidates.

“Our goal — my goal — is an Iraq that no longer needs American troops, and I believe we can achieve that goal, perhaps sooner than many imagine,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said. “But I also believe that the promise of withdrawal of our forces regardless of the consequences would constitute a failure of political and moral leadership.”

This from the same person who said he’d be fine if we stayed in Iraq for 100 years.