I have a running list of things I want to do when I’m feeling better… you know, when my limitations don’t feel so limiting and when my endurance allows me to get through a day without having to rest. The list includes things like day adventures, restaurants I want to try, and places I want to take the boys. Also on that list is the Rose Bowl flea market. We used to go to the Rose Bowl every other month or so and it was not but a few weeks ago that returning and fighting the crowds and having the endurance to make it through the maze of aisles sounded unbearable. But something has happened within the last week or so and I, quick-knock-on-wood, feel closer to normal than I have thus far in my recovery.

I had my three month post-op check-up with surgeon and have since weaned myself off my brace almost entirely. When I do start lifting the kids, I’ll need to wear it, but I’m not allowed to do that just yet so my back brace sits discarded on a chair in the office. It used to sit right by the side of my bed, right next to my slippers. Before, when I didn’t wear it, I’d have this sick and uneasy feeling in my stomach. But since weaning off of it, that feeling has disappeared. I’ve been off all my pain meds for a few weeks now and am finally allowed to take Advil, which I think would have been beneficial long ago (because the fusion works through an inflammatory process, I wasn’t able to take any anti-inflammatory medication). It was nice when my surgeon asked me if I needed a prescription for anything and I answered, “no”. I considered writing an entire post on my experience with pain medication but decided I’ll leave it at this: feeling normal is way underrated.

In any event, we made it to the Rose Bowl and I left questioning if that means I’m actually on the mend. I mean I didn’t anticipate crossing anything off that list I had made for some time. We didn’t stay as long as we normally would and we did take advantage of handicapped parking and we got only what we came for but, ya know, baby steps. On the way home, I was still feeling good so we stopped at what has become our favorite pizza joint in LA. It was our third day eating pizza for lunch in a row (we brought pizza home after our first visit). I had the pesto pizza with the ricotta cheese and it was as good as the first time. If you’re in the LA area, do yourself a favor and check out Vito’s Pizza.

Feels so good to be feelin’ good again, let me tell ya.