Hello, Friends! Well, there’s good news and bad news. First, the good news 🙂 : I am still alive, and the January 8 surgery was successful in removing the bone spur from my spine. Now for the bad news 😦 : It was like pulling a thread on a sweater or poking a sleeping bear. The whole thing just unraveled, and it has been a struggle ever since!

Sad sack little me after yet ANOTHER world-rocking pre-surgery procedure. But isn’t my motor scooter cool? It’s called a Jazzy! Funny…I don’t FEEL so jazzy!!! 😦 Nonetheless, I shall henceforth until further notice be known as Alycia the Jazzy! 🙂

I will go under the knife again this coming Friday morning, April 10. This time it will involve much, much more. The shockingly deep, painful, and almost constant sensation across my lower back and down the right leg never went away. Why not, you ask? Because when the bone spur was removed it allowed the herniation of the L5 disc to spread its evil little wings. The herniation, however, went into the spinal column rather than out to the sides or in front like normal people’s would. It essentially took the place of the bone spur in compressing a nerve. The neurosurgeon has seen that only ONCE in his 40+ years of practice, and the orthopedic surgeon has NEVER seen it! So…they will work in tandem in a 4-6 hour surgery to remove the affected discs, free up the herniation, perform a fusion using cadaver bones and pedicle screws, and insert an EBI bone stimulator that will be surgically removed at a later date. Rehab will start the day after the surgery, and I will be in the hospital for 3 days if all goes according to plan. I will then have to once again start the long, tough battle to recovery.

I must once again beg both your prayers and your patience. I thought by now I would be back to tablescaping and enjoying the nice Spring weather with you guys, but I have been confined to the bed for a total of FOUR long months. (And I have gained 20+ lbs. and lost a lot of muscle mass in my legs due to inactivity. My right leg in particular feels like a cooked noodle!) I am now keeping the faith that I will be back in time to create a few summertime tablescapes for your enjoyment.

A billion thanks to everyone who has said a prayer, dropped a line, placed a call, stopped by to visit, sent a card or get well gift, or just kept a good thought for me. Those of you who know me know this is SO against type for me. I am more a fan of 24/7/365 when it comes to working my body, my mind, and my God-given creativity. Please hang in there with me a while longer. I thank you for your love and support. I miss you terribly.

Happy Spring, and I’ll try to have my husband publish an update!