I'm feeling very frustrated at this time. I went to see an orthopedic spine specialist on Wednesday. He looked at the previous x-rays & then took x-rays of his own (chalking up the $$$$ co-pays). What was previous 20-30% is now 40% compression. Had no idea that I shouldn't be lifting anything over 5 pounds......I wasn't lifting heavy things but know that everything is over 5 pounds......so will be doing NOTHING for the next 2 weeks in hopes that it will start to heal. It's been almost 4 weeks since I fell, so it should have started to heal.

I felt like all I have been doing is lying in bed......every time I try to do something like yard work, it's been about 5 minutes & I CAN'T do any more......so now, I will do NOTHING. Need to let my body heal without needing the procedure. He explained it as they put in needles from either side & blow up balloon like things & then inject the cement. He said that 80% have immediate improvement....10% find no change & 10% it doesn't work for......but I don't have the money for the co-pay for that kind of procedure anyway......so it doesn't matter if it works or not.......

Just feeling rather discouraged.....with all the extra co-pays for Dr's & then he wants a bone density done to rule out osteoporosis. Had to stop adding to my expenses with the DBT group. My psychology group is great in that they waived my medicare deductible for the charges that come through to them......which last year was the whole deductible....this year my pain specialist got their charge through & I really don't have the money to pay it especially when I keep adding to my monthly bill with the weekly DBT group......got to balance MY
BUDGET even if the government doesn't.

just feeling a bit down right now....not being able to ride for 3 months is defintely a killer also.....but I was really good.....a friend of ours has a friend who has a farm not far from us & is building an arena & has some beautiful horses along with rescue horses......a group of us went there yesterday & had lunch & everyone enjoyed riding one of her horses....but I restrained myself from getting on him......ugh, it was sooooo hard.......but I just stood there & watched with one other lady who has back problems also.

This too shall pass & I will be back to normal. Darn, I didn't get the first mowing on my grass before not being able to ride my lawn tractor either.....it's growing & growing with all the rain & spring sun between the rain storms.........my friend said she would come & mow at least the front part of my yard so it doesn't get overgrown. I filled my gas can so I have gas for mowing......ah well. It's so hard having a huge place & not being able to do what needs to be done......but I will be back to normal in a few months....this is NOT A PERMANENT condition.