The Last of 2014

 Just some final images of scenes around the farm this month.

 We still have blue skies and snow on the mountains.

 Buddy still likes to think he is in charge of his goats.

 Boyd laid out some straw in a path from the house to the goats to help with the mud situation.

 Buddy dog has taken to running off on occasion.  He heads toward the road or over on the neighbor's property.  He blatantly refuses to come back until he is good and ready.  Because of this attitude, he has spent quite a bit of time on a leash.

 The goats took advantage of no snow to find the last remnants of anything to browse.

 Doesn't he look like some GQ guy modeling for a tractor ad?   I have been repeatedly warned about posting photos of him on the blog. 

 To make things even, here is a picture of me.  I am actually heading off to find one disobedient border collie.  It also proves that my husband can run my new camera even though he insists he can't.

 Love the little sliver of moon!

 And, now we have snow.

Spinal Fusion

Next Monday, I will be having back surgery and I can't wait.  Really, I can't.  I am so exhausted from walking crooked and not sleeping because of the pain.  The pain is always worse at night.  I am up at least three times for up to an hour and go through a ritual to relieve the pain that includes ice and bouncing on an exercise ball and then doing a few yoga stretches.

You can see the curve in my spine. I was supposed to be standing up as straight as possible for this shot.  According to the surgeon, L5 has nothing left on the right side and that is causing a herniation and stenosis among other things.  The plan is to fuse L-4 to L-5 and then L-5 to S-1.  He may or may not have to use bone from my pelvis.  Doesn't sound fun, but something has to change.

Besides my normal hip jutting out and the limp on the right side, I have recently added a forward lean to the whole messed up walk.  Yeah, it's fun!
 
Here are a couple of videos of me walking.






Why would I post these embarrassing videos and images?  So, that when I wake up from surgery, I can remember why I am going through all the pain.
Here's hoping the surgery works and I can stand upright again.  Here's hoping I can tie my own shoe and put on my own sock without screaming in pain.  Here's hoping I can sleep through the night without horrible pain all down my leg.