no surgery

I received the best. news. ever. today! NO SURGERY ON MY BACK!!!! This makes me so happy.

Shown on the MRI, it appears that the problem is a bulging disc in the L4-5 area of my lower back. It's hitting my L5 nerve thus causing the pain. Apparently I have short pedicles and not a lot of room to handle any type of bulging disc. He said that if I had long pedicles I probably never would've even realized I had a disc problem. Go figure.

So with that, I should hear from the pain clinic on Monday and they should be able to schedule me within a week for a steroid injection in my lower back. Doc said I'll be sore for a few days but after that I can do normal stuff.

I am beyond thrilled. There's a chance, of course, that this won't work, but at this point there's no nerve damage and it looks like I'll be able to get through this without surgery. The injection should take care of the pain and I can resume exercising and restart training for another 1/2 marathon.

My plan to try and participate in the Disney 1/2 in January? In the doctor's own words? "Completely reasonable."

SQUEEEE!!!!!