A week ago today I finally learned what’s been causing strange aches, pains, and sensations over the last several years. Without even hearing words from the orthopedist’s mouth, I could see something terribly wrong with the disc between my C5 and C6 vertebrae. It’s called spinal stenosis, likely caused by a cause of whiplash I suffered in December 2005. Pending an MRI, we’ll know just how badly the nerves are being compressed by this slipped and nearly eroded disc. I’ve been incredibly somber after discovering just how serious this issue really is, although it’s nice to finally have an explanation for everything. I’ve realized that it’s quite possible that I’ll either become paralyzed over time or require surgery to correct this problem. I’m horrified of surgery because it’s such a critical area to be tampered with. So for now, I’m cherishing every moment of mobility I have. Each day that I wake up and get out of bed is a blessing. One day, I might wake up unable to move. It’s a sobering reality, but it only further encourages me to cultivate a life worth loving.
