When I first woke up from surgery, I noticed that I didn't have pain like I did before. The pain was gone, and the numbness was largely subsided. The only pain I had was from the surgery (cutting 3 inch incision in my back).

This all started from doing a layback air at Ballard. I should have bailed. But, instead I tried to land, and as a result, I landed low, and all twisted up. And the impact put so much pressure on my back, that I heard a "pop" sound. I felt my foot go numb for a moment.

I didn't know why it wouldn't heal. I kept skating, and it kept getting more and more painful. I thought I had pulled a ham string or something. Eventually, I couldn't walk right, because the nerves that operated my toes didn't respond, so I was limping because I couldn't even get up on the ball of my foot, but I didn't know why.

I went to a chiropractor, thinking it was a back problem, and that a chiropractor would be the answer. He did some adjustments, and deep massage. But nothing but Advil helped. Finally I went to sport medicine doctor. He checked my reflexes and could tell that I had done something to the nerves, because my left foot didn't respond (banging the back of the Achilles and nothing).

He said he wasn't going to do anything until I get an MRI. So, I got the results of the MRI on a Friday. And scheduled the operation for a Monday. Met with Dr. Lao on that Friday also. It was a whirlwind deal for me. Happened really quickly. But, that's what both Doc's recommended. They both said the longer I wait, the more damage that is done to the nerves. Boom.

I go into work on Monday, and tell them I'm leaving early, and will be gone for 8 weeks. Whew!

Now, the only thing that bugs me is that occasionally I'll get a bee sting sensation on my foot or somewhere on my left leg. I attribute this to nerves finally coming back...