Steven Velásquez - Granting "Sirenity"

It's been nine months, since I had my spinal fusion surgery. This procedure is not designed for pain management, it is designed for adding stability to an unstable spine. The reason I had it, is because: My surgeon believed that all else had failed I was still living with unbearable, daily pain, despite high doses of opioids for over two years My surgeon believed if he were to add stability to the area, it would be reasonable to expect there might be subsequent pain relief.  I agreed. Since February, I've been through months of physical therapy. I returned to my teaching job after 12 weeks and my EMS job after seven, long months. I've lost over thirty pounds and have happily had to purchase the first smaller sized clothing since I was a boy.  The article below began as a Facebook post on February 17, 2017. I have since modified it slightly to add more specific detail and correct any errors. This is an account of what I went through immediately after my surger...

October 30, 2017  It has been quite a while since I've paid attention to my blog. A busy life and crossing over from healthcare provider to patient are partially to blame. Sadly, these past two years have been punctuated with indescribable pain, high doses of opiates, one spinal procedure after another, loss of income, and two surgeries to try to ameliorate my pain. Nothing has succeeded. I'm in less pain than I was prior to my last surgery, but in chronic pain nonetheless. In a few weeks I'll have a neural stimulator implanted permanently in my spine that will send my brain something to think about other than the constant pain signal. First steps... Feb. 2017 So that's the story between then and now. Recently, I've received some very strong words of encouragement from people who I hold in the highest regard, people who influence the lives of others, and shape the field I'm so proud to have worked in these past thirty years. "When am I going to r...