James and I have been doing a lot of cycling lately.  I finally talked him into buying the bikes a couple of months ago, and after a bit of a false start we are finally getting into a groove.  We bike to dinner on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and sometimes we go out on trail on the weekend for a longer ride.  We explored the North Little Rock side of the River Trail last weekend, and we had a blast.  Our little Schwinns could stand to be upgraded, but in the meantime I think I will get a pair of padded bike shorts.  If my butt didn't get sore, I could ride a lot longer, I think.

I spent a lot of time while I was off recuperating, to re-watch all the episodes of Lost. Season 5 started a week ago but they preempted Lost for college basketball. Luckily they replayed the new episodes on Saturday so I got to see them. I record them on my Windows Media Center PC and it automatically edits out the commercials.

In a couple weeks I go back for my second post-op checkup. I was given some back exercises to do but I haven't been doing them, so today I decided to start a simple workout. I use my Weider Total Body Works 5000. It is like a Total Gym that you see on TV except cheaper. 

I have been staying at my parents house since Wednesday night. Sara didn't think I should stay by myself so soon after surgery, so she dropped me off here before going to Texas with her parents. It isn't bad but its not the same after having my own place for so long. At least I didn't have to drive 8 hours to sleep in a strange bed like Sara did. Hah!

I had my surgery Monday. It went well, and I haven't had any pain except for when going from standing to sitting. The Doctor did a little work on the lowest disc and fixed the main problem in the L5 disc. He mentioned that it was the biggest herniation he had seen in a while.

I went for the pretesting for my surgery at St. Vincent Outpatient Department. I was impressed with how they kept things moving. I spent very little time waiting, and when I was waiting I knew why. If they keep it up I'm sure everything will go great on surgery day.

Today I made my second visit to Dr. Peek, my spine surgeon. The spinal steroid injections he prescribed did not shrink the disc off the nerve, so he is going to operate. I'll have to be on light duty for a few weeks, but I run about half speed most of the time anyway.

I've been dabbling in jewelry making, mostly making simple earring from wire and beads.  It's pretty fun.  If I can get the camera up and running, I'll post some pics.

The doctor said that James has the "biggest herniated disk he has seen in a while."  He is going to schedule an appointment with a surgeon to get his opinion.