Life Begins @ 42

2016 has been a great year for music.  It has been difficult narrowing my list down to my favourite 10, but here they are in no particular order: Lacuna Coil - Delirium Lacuna Coil remain on top form with their most recent release.   LOLO - In Loving Memory of When I Gave a Shit A unique voice and great lyrics.  The song above Shine is my favourite track, a go to track when I'm feeling low. Skillet - Unleashed IMHO Skillet's best album to date.  Proving you can sing about God and still rock hard.  The song above Stars is my favourite song of the year. Green Day - Revolution Radio I wasn't a huge fan of Uno, Dos, Tres but this is a great return to form for the trio.  Above is my favourite track Still Breathing.  Can't wait to see them on tour in February. Asking Alexandria - The Black After the  departure of Danny Worsnop the band were joined albeit briefly by Denis Stoff to create what I fee...

Been a while since I last posted, but happy to say that physically I am progressing well.  My increase in activity has really helped with the weight loss, now at my lowest weight this century!  I'm no longer classed as obese, although obviously a long way to go. I've also started attending gigs again, one of my favourite past times which I hadn't been able to do since early this year.  This month I have seen Brian Fallon, Lacuna Coil and Bring Me The Horizon.  Many more gigs planned over the coming months.

6 weeks since the 2nd part of my surgery.  I'm doing well, most days managing 10,000 steps a day.  I would have never have thought I would get my mobility back so quickly.  I am still in some discomfort particularly when sitting down, but am doing well and have started phasing my return to work.

Yesterday for the first time in well over a year I achieved 10,000 steps.  I never thought this would have been possible 6 months ago.  I had started looking at mobility devices as it was getting so difficult walking any distance. I still have some pain, especially after sleeping, but can now walk and no longer feel pain. I know there is a long way to go, with lots of physiotherapy, but I am feeling very optimistic about my recovery.

Was discharged a week ago from hospital after the 2nd part of my ALIF, which involved a posterior operation to add screws from the other side of the ALIF last month. The operation went well and I was out of hospital the following day.  The subsequent pain was more than I expected, perhaps because I had such an easy ride after the previous operation I thought this would be the same. Most of the pain is in my right leg, even though most the pain before the operations was in the left leg.  I am hoping it is just the result of inflammation around the operation error causing pressure on the nerves and it will reduce in the coming weeks.  I am able to walk okay, but it can be painful sitting down or bending. Anyhow, I'm staying optimistic.  It is early days before I need to start worrying that the operation may not have been 100% successful in reducing the pain.

I'm starting this blog as for the first time in years I am feeling optimistic.  I have been riddled with health problems over the past few years including spondylolisthesis, trigeminal neuralgia, dislocated knee, depression and possible fibromyalgia. The spondylolisthesis has been the greatest impact on my life.  For the past two years I have had to use a walking stick and been in considerable pain if I tried to walk any distance. It took a couple of years of trips to physiotherapists, chiropractors and doctors before I finally got a diagnosis.  Four weeks ago I had an ALIF spinal fusion for L5/S1 vertebrae and after a month I am finally able to walk pain free and a reasonable distance.  As I write this I am still in a body brace until next week when I will have the second part of the operation securing the cage and fusion from the rear.  Considering the progress I have already made I am optimistic that I will finally get my quality of life back. I wi...