Back on the horse

I met with my doctor yesterday and although I'm not yet 100%, it looks like I can go back to work.

Tomorrow I'll be doing "The Blend" in its new two-hour format, for the second time (with guests Hangad performing a few songs), and on Monday evening I'll make my return to "Nightlife".

I've missed a lot in the past month or so, and I'm sure returning to the grind won't be a walk in the park. Yet considering everything I've been through, I'm thankful that I'll be back at all.

Focusing on the positive

Given all that's happened to me over the past couple of months, I guess it's understandable that I talk a lot about what I'm going through. I try not to cross the line to where I end up complaining too much. But there are times, I think, that I do fail.


Just to add variety to this blog, I'm going to try to list down some of the positive things regarding my condition. Hmm... Let's see...

*The soreness and pain in my back are going away. I can even sit or stand for relatively long periods of time.

*I have regained a large range of movements, so I'm not stuck in bed most of the day. I've even been driving again.

*Although there's still some pain in my leg, it's not nearly as strong or as chronic as before (when two discs were pushing on my spinal nerves).

*The lingering numbness in my left and and lower lip after my surgery is now all gone.
(The left hand because I was turned to my side during the operation, and my lip because I had a tube in my mouth.)


Those are just a few of the things I can be thankful for. If you really look, I guess there's always a bright side. :)

Fat!

I started "The DJ Rick Weight-Loss Challenge" in January, when I hit a high of 220lbs. After about two months on Medislim, I was down to 198. Then I hurt my back.

I had to stop the program and I couldn't even exercise. Now I'm back to about 210. A lot of that I gained just laying in bed recovering from surgery.

I can't wait to be able to get back on the Medislim, and also do some real exercise. I hate the feeling this weight is giving me.

Soft Launch

This Saturday at 10am I'm going back on air to do "The Blend" live! My doctor says I shouldn't return to regular work hours just yet, but the format of the show allows me to come in.

Since "The Blend" is very music-intensive, I have time to rest by back while the songs are playing. (I can't sit down for longer than 15 minutes straight.)

Starting tomorrow, it will be a 2-hour show. Plus, I've got lots of new songs for the program. I'm so excited to get back to my "baby".

Touched

Over the past weeks I've been checking the Jam textline online. I can't say how moved I am that listeners are so concerned about my condition. I've been of air for over a month, but people still text asking how I've been.

It's the dream of almost all DJs to make a connection with their listeners, and seeing those messages makes all the work I've done on my shows worth it.

Limitations

Yesterday I tried to go to church (first time in 2 weeks) but my back was still too weak. I had to leave before the mass even started because back started aching.

(Since my spine is still healing from the surgery, I can't sit, stand or walk for longer than a few minutes at a time. I need to lay down often and rest.)

I spent the early afternoon celebrating my daughter's 7th birthday. But I had to leave the "Fun Ranch" early, also because of my back.

In the evening, I was so exhausted that I couldn't even leave the house to watch the performance of The AKAFellas at The Podium.

I can't wait until I'm 100 percent again. I hate not being able to do the things that I want.

a cappella fix

Tomorrow (Sunday the 17th) the AKAFellas have a free concert at The Podium mall for Father's Day. I hope I'll be strong enough to pass by by the time the show starts (at 5pm). Those guys are awesome live.

Speaking of "a cappella" and "live". I've missed doing my a cappella show "The Blend" live for the past 3 weeks because of my surgery and recovery. The show is my "baby" and it's been hard not being able to come in and work on the show. Hopefully I'll be well enough next Saturday.

Freedom!!!

Freedom... to take a bath!!! (I'm talking about a REAL bath.)

When I had staples in my back, I wasn't allowed to take a REAL bath because the water could enter thru the holes and cause an infection under my skin.

So, for two weeks I was forced to settle for sponge baths. Aarrrgh... Anyone who was ever forced to live on those types of "baths" knows that it's just not the same thing.

My Independece Day from staples was ironically, June 12 (Philippine independence, for those who don't know). I was finally allowed to take a REAL bath yeserday! Thank God! :)

I was wrong

The past couple of days I've been feeling a lot stronger. Wishful thinking had me expecting to come back to work as early as next Monday. I even posted on my online calendar that I'd do "The Blend" live this Saturday.

Unfortunately, yesterday afternoon after I went to Makati to have the staples removed from my back, I felt extremely weak. I was exhausted just walking to the corner where I was to be picked up. I even got a bit of a tag-team lecture from my wife and the doctor about pushing myself too much.

I guess the spirit is willing but the body is still not yet able. I just hate laying around most of the day doing next to nothing. I can't even sit at the PC longer than 15 minutes at a time. Oh well..

Regeneration

It has been almost two weeks since my operation and I'm still struggling with my recovery. I have been able to walk around freely, but moving about is still a bit difficult. Just getting in and out of bed is a task that still tires me.

Bouncing back from spinal surgery wouldn't be easy, I knew that. But I don't think I could have prepare myself for how hard it has been.

My body is still recovering from the trauma of surgery, so I've constantly been exhausted yet hungry. Then there's are all the medicine I'm taking. Not to mention the staples still in my back.

There's a light ahead of this tunnel, but it still seems a bit far.

What they did to me

I had two "slipped discs". Both had to be completely removed, so they would stop pushing against my spinal nerves (causing me a lot of pain). The procedure is called a Lumbar Laminectomy.

Since two whole discs were removed, it was a pretty complex procedure that had me "under" for 5 hours. Thank God everything went as planned. But, my road to recovery will be long and hard. There's still a lot more recovery ahead for me.

I'm Alive!

I just got released from the hospital the other day.

I would just like to thank everyone for all the support throughout this this whole ordeal.

The costs were a bit sizable, but I have earned so much in terms of the valuable lessons that this experience has taught me.

I'm moving around very very slowly now. My full recovery will take at least 4 weeks but the effects (good and bad) will be with me for life.

Take care and God bless you all!