Still Here!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still here and fighting!  In late July I sustained a back injury that would prove to be a thorn in my side.  It progressively got worse and was re-injured again and again.  I was dealing with pain, but it began to slow me down and eventually it put me on the sidelines.  I continued to workout weekly, but I could do very little activity outside of that 1-hour a week session.  I was having difficulty walking, standing, and sleeping.  This led to me getting treatment that did not work and I pressed for an MRI.  The MRI revealed that and I have a herniated (extruded) disk in my back.  This means that I will have surgery this month and hopefully get back to almost normal by the end of May or June.  Ironically, it was a back injury that provided the conditions where my weight shot through the roof during my first year of marriage.  Now it has proven to be a blessing,  as I have been tested regarding my devotion to making this change in my life and I have not lost my focus (although it has been very difficult).

I ask for your prayers for a successful surgery and a very speedy recovery, so I can continue to increase my activity and resume my quest for health and fitness.  Until then I am holding fast to the words of Jim Valvano, "don't give up.  Don't ever give up."