1 Million in Einstein@home !!!!

[Steve Lux]

Hi Dirk,

I broke a bit of the bone off of L5 and it got wedged into the nerve cluster for my left leg. I also had a compressed disk. As the incident happened at work there was no short term disability. As my EHS Manager didn't file the paperwork within 24 hours, Workman's Compensation was denied. I may have to sue as it cost me $3,000 out of pocket plus lost wages. The sciatica was incredibly challenging to endure until I was finally prescribed Neurontin (Gabapentin). I usually heal very quickly so I went on vacation for two weeks expecting to be ready to go back to work when I got back. I wasn't. After I got back I had an MRI that showed the bone chip and compressed disk which was also pushing on my nerve cluster, so I had to have surgery. Not something I was really looking forward to, as you hear stories and see other people still suffering after multiple surgeries that nearly bankrupt them.

Anyhow I had what is called a Micro Lumbar Discectomy. Not long after I woke up from the surgery I was given a copy of the local paper and it had a level 2 Sudoku puzzle - not exactly challenging but it was something to exercise my mind. It took me 1/2 hour to find the first number, but my brain was slowly waking up from the drugs and within 1.5 hours I was finished. Then I got up and started wandering the room. When the nurse came by I asked if I could go for a walk and started walking the halls. After about 20 laps around the 2d floor they called my Surgeon; Dr. Esce, and got permission for me to go home. I had been in the hospital 9 hours, I was ready to go. When I got home I walked a block. The next day 2 blocks, the next 4 blocks and continued walking pretty much daily.

Now, after just a few weeks of work about the only thing that isn't aching is my back. Being laid up gets you out of shape quickly. I still limp on my left leg some, but that is only because the calf muscle is still weak. Not from pain. There is still some numbness at the bottom of my left foot, but I can deal with that. The pain being gone is the important part, but I still have a good bit of recovery to do.

Anyhow, I'm back at work with an income and even getting some overtime again. All is right in my world. I just have to play catch up.