back pain ....

I suffered through a good part of my life with lower back pain

the reason.....I have Degenerative disc disease in

2 of my lumbar disc

which sounds so much worse than it actually is

as my doctor told me, half of the people in our country

have this

and most are diagnosed at a young age, usually in their 30's

that is what caused my back pain

the reason that I suffered for a good part of my life....because

I wouldn't listen to my doctor and do some exercise!

seriously, why don't we do what the doctor tells us!!
I had trouble doing anything and if I lifted anything heavy, then it would
become inflamed and press on that sciatic nerve
oh wow, then every step I took was painful
there were times that I ended up in bed on muscle relaxers
and I hate being on those things.
It got so bad that to get out of bed, I had to do my back
stretching exercises from my doctor
only took about 2 minutes to do them but I guess I liked
that better than doing actual exercise....ha!!

And I guess I thought I was smarter than them and just knew

that exercise would not help my back.

in my mind, it would make it worse

But 4 years ago I started doing Jazzercise and wow, for the

first time in over 20 years, I did not have back pain

come to find out the doctors are right

and more specific, dance and lifting weights is the best

for your back and your bones

and guess what.....that is what Jazzercise is!!

Which brings me to now......I have been unable to go to

Jazzercise due to some commitments and then our

sweet Daddy passed away. I am just now getting back

after being out 2 weeks. I did the same thing during Christmas

and it is amazing to me that after 4 or 5 days without exercise

my lower back hurts so bad I can barely bend to tie my shoes

I also have to do my back exercise while laying in bed

to even get up.....so pathetic

But I'm back at Jazzercise and just 2 classes later

my back is feeling great!!

Doctors do know what they are talking about....ha!

later....

no blog writing.....

January 27th was the last time I did a blog post

OMG

and so much has gone on

the worst being that we lost our precious Daddy

it's been only 17 months since Momma went to heaven

and now Daddy has joined her

he has been so lonely, wanting to be with her again

His COPD had made him so weak

along with a few falls

It's been hard losing Daddy

but it's also been a sense of relief to know he was no longer suffering

I feel awful saying relief.....that may not be the right word

it would break our heart to hear his horrible coughs

and then see him gasp to catch his breath

to see him confined to his home

and be tethered to the oxygen machine

to visit him and hear him say how much he hated

being confined and no longer active

and then cry all the way home because you were helpless 

and couldn't do anything to make it better

It is just really hard to put in to words what it is

like to lose your parents.....it's just an overwhelming sadness

Bless you Daddy....you're with Momma again and

now can breath without pain

we love you

later...