How times change...

Last time I wrote, I was on the cusp of a healthy, happy, fun and active Christmas vacation. Seems that the higher powers have a different plan for me, as that was not certainly not how things panned out. What did pan out was 3 discs in my back that are 'stuffed' (code for herniated and prolapsed). I prefer to go with 'stuffed' - not only is it clearly more technical, it's also less daunting.

So, it has now been two weeks of a fair amount of pain (especially in the initial week); quite a bit of numbness and a pretty good dose of having trouble walking. Hmmm...fun, right?


Yesterday when I was at the physio, she gently told me that I'll most probably be looking at many weeks off work and she has referred me to a neurosurgeon. Now, I'm a pretty positive person, but I gotta say that when I heard this news, I freaked out. What? Me who loves running, swimming, gyming and yoga-ing? Me who just ran a half-marathon? Me who is signed up to do 4 more races in the coming months? Me who loves getting out and about exploring? Me who loves hanging at cafes and restaurants? Me who loves my job? Me who loves socialising? Me who loves getting out of the house? Active me? 'NO', I thought, this cannot be true! The words 'Michelle' and 'neurosurgeon' do not go together.

And you know what, it will not be me. I refuse to be defined by my circumstances, so I am choosing the path of health and positivity.


I feel so fortunate to have an amazing physiotherapist and osteopath who are caring for me. They believe in the body's ability to find strength and wisdom to heal itself. Fortuitously, so do I. They also believe in miracles. Again, so do I. So far, the road to recovery has been a positive one and I intend for it to continue that way. My body has the strength and wisdom to heal itself. My pesky nerves will have no choice but to cooperate. It feels so good knowing that I have the right people around me to help care for me and 'fix' me. It also feels good knowing that I believe all will be well.

In order to sure my healing process is on track, I am going to set a physical and mental goal for each day.

Today's physical goal: Continue my physio exercises and head down to the pool for my first session of hydrotherapy.

Today's emotional goal: "Whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve" (W. Clement Stone). I conceive that I am healed and strong. I conceive that radiant health is mine. I conceive that I will run more half marathons and my first marathon. I conceive that I am full of vitality. I conceive that my body is stronger than ever. I conceive that my life is perfect and that I am able to live it just as I want to.

I feel strongly that a better path is opening up for me. This picture here sums it up:


So yes, times change. But always for the better.