Well, life has been a little crazy lately.
And by a little, I mean A LOT.
If you’ve been following along on my social media, you probably already know that my husband, Eric, recently had back surgery.
And let me tell you, this was NOT something we had on our 2026 bingo card.
But here we are.
The last couple of months have been filled with doctor’s appointments, an MRI, worrying, waiting, and trying to figure out what exactly was going on with his back.
And then suddenly, we were scheduling surgery.
Everything seemed to happen so fast.
One minute we were trying to figure out why he was in so much pain, and the next we were preparing for an actual operation.
Which, if you know me, you know my brain immediately went into overthinking mode.
Because apparently I cannot just experience something without imagining approximately 47 different scenarios first. 😂
❤️ How We Got Here
Eric had been dealing with some pretty significant back and leg pain.
And this wasn’t just your normal “I slept wrong and my back hurts” kind of pain.
It was the kind of pain that was interfering with everyday life.
After getting an MRI and meeting with the doctor, we learned that he had a bulging disc and a bone spur that were contributing to pressure on a nerve.
And if you’ve ever dealt with nerve pain, you know it is absolutely NO joke.
Watching someone you love hurt like that is awful.
Especially when there’s not much you can do to make it better.
You can offer pillows, help them get comfortable, and ask them approximately 900 times if they need anything.
But you can’t actually take the pain away.
And that part is frustrating.
Eventually, the doctor recommended surgery.
And while surgery is never something you WANT to hear, we also knew that something needed to change.
He couldn’t keep living in that kind of pain.
🏥 So, What Exactly Is a Lumbar Microdiscectomy?
Eric had a procedure called a lumbar microdiscectomy.
Which sounds like a very complicated word for something I would rather not have to think about. 😂
But basically, it’s a type of back surgery that’s commonly performed when a herniated or bulging disc is putting pressure on a nerve in the lower spine.
The discs in your back act like little cushions between the bones of your spine.
Sometimes, part of a disc can push out of its normal position and press against a nearby nerve.
That pressure can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, sometimes traveling from the lower back down into the leg.
During a microdiscectomy, the surgeon removes the portion of disc material that’s pressing on the nerve.
The goal is to relieve that pressure and hopefully reduce the pain and other symptoms.
It’s generally considered a minimally invasive procedure compared to some other types of spine surgery, and many patients are able to go home the same day.
Of course, that doesn’t mean it’s not a big deal.
Because I’m sorry, but ANY surgery involving someone’s spine is a big deal to me.
I don’t care how common it is. 😂
🖤 Surgery Day Was Emotional
Eric had his surgery on November 6.
And even though we knew this was something he needed, that didn’t make the day any less scary.
I was nervous.
He was nervous.
And I think we were both just ready to get it over with.
There’s something really difficult about watching someone you love get ready for surgery.
You know they’re in good hands, and you know the doctors do these procedures regularly.
But that doesn’t stop you from worrying.
Because that’s your person.
That’s the person you share your life with.
And suddenly you’re sitting there waiting for someone to tell you that everything went okay.
Thankfully, we got the call that surgery was finished and everything looked good!
The doctor was happy with how the procedure went, which was exactly what we needed to hear.
I cannot even explain how relieved I felt.
It was like finally being able to exhale after holding my breath all morning.
And I am SO thankful for everyone who checked on us, sent messages, called, prayed, or just sent a little positive energy our way.
Seriously.
It meant more than you know. ❤️
🏡 And Now We’re Officially in Recovery Mode
So now we’re home.
And we’ve entered what I’m calling our recovery era.
Which sounds a lot more glamorous than it actually is. 😂
Right now, the focus is on letting Eric heal.
That means taking things slowly, following the doctor’s instructions, getting plenty of rest, and being careful about what he does.
Recovery from a lumbar microdiscectomy can take several weeks, and while some people notice improvement in their leg pain fairly quickly, healing isn’t always a straight line.
There can still be soreness, discomfort, fatigue, and days that are better than others.
We’re hoping his recovery goes smoothly, but we’re also trying to remember that healing takes time.
And patience.
LOTS of patience.
Especially when you’re used to being able to get up and do whatever you want.
For now, we’re following his recovery instructions and trying not to rush anything.
The last thing we want is for him to overdo it and set himself back.
So if that means I have to remind him 47 times to take it easy, then that’s what I’m going to do.
I’m sure he’ll LOVE that. 😂
🐾 Recovery With Five Animals Is an Adventure
Now, let’s talk about something else.
We have FIVE animals.
Two dogs and three cats.
And if you’ve ever had pets, you know they do not understand the concept of personal space.
At all.
Benny and Cash just want to be near us.
Draco and Falcor have their own ideas about where they’re supposed to be.
And Goose?
Well.
Goose is Goose.
That cat lives his life like every day is an opportunity to commit a new crime. 😂
So naturally, we’ve had to be extra careful about making sure nobody jumps on Eric, bumps into him, or decides his recovering body is the perfect place to take a nap.
Because apparently our animals didn’t receive the memo that Dad just had back surgery.
We’re figuring it out as we go.
And while it’s definitely an adjustment, I wouldn’t trade our little chaotic family for anything.
Even if I do occasionally have to tell a cat to PLEASE GET DOWN.
❤️ It’s Hard Watching Someone You Love Hurt
I think one of the hardest parts of this entire experience has been feeling helpless.
I’m a fixer.
When something is wrong, I want to do something about it.
I want to make it better.
I want to find a solution.
And when it’s someone I love, that feeling is even stronger.
But sometimes there isn’t a quick fix.
Sometimes all you can do is show up.
Help them get comfortable.
Make sure they have what they need.
Listen when they’re frustrated.
And remind them that things will hopefully get better.
I wish I could fast-forward through the recovery process and get us to the part where he’s feeling good again.
But unfortunately, life doesn’t come with a fast-forward button.
Rude, honestly.
So we’re taking it one day at a time.
🌙 Life Doesn’t Exactly Stop When Things Get Hard
And here’s something else I’ve been thinking about lately.
Life doesn’t just stop because something difficult is happening.
There are still bills to pay.
Work still exists.
School assignments still have deadlines.
The house still needs to be taken care of.
The animals still need attention.
And somehow, we’re supposed to find time to eat, sleep, and function like normal human beings.
It’s a lot.
I’m not going to pretend that everything has been easy or that I’ve handled every moment perfectly.
Because I haven’t.
I’ve been stressed.
I’ve been worried.
I’ve been overwhelmed.
And I’ve definitely had moments where I just wanted everything to slow down for a minute.
But I’ve also been reminded how much the little things matter.
A good update from the doctor.
A message from someone checking in.
A quiet evening at home.
Seeing Eric a little more comfortable.
Those things might not seem huge to somebody else, but right now, they mean everything.
✨ Here’s to Better Days Ahead
We’re still very early in this recovery journey.
And I know we have a little ways to go before everything feels normal again.
But I’m hopeful.
I’m hopeful that this surgery will give Eric the relief he desperately needed.
I’m hopeful that each week will bring a little more improvement.
And I’m hopeful that before too long, we’ll be able to look back at all of this and say, “Thank goodness that’s over.”
Until then, we’re taking things slowly.
We’re celebrating the little victories.
We’re trying to stay positive without pretending that everything is sunshine and rainbows.
And we’re doing our best to get through this together.
Because that’s what you do when you love someone.
You show up for the good days, the bad days, the scary days, and the days when you have absolutely no idea what you’re doing.
You figure it out together.
Even when life throws you something you weren’t expecting.
🖤 Thank You for Being Here
I also want to say thank you again to everyone who has reached out to check on Eric and me.
Whether you’ve sent a text, called, commented on a post, offered advice, or just kept us in your thoughts, please know that we appreciate it.
Sometimes a simple “How are you guys doing?” means more than people realize.
And if you’ve been through a lumbar microdiscectomy or helped someone recover from one, I would LOVE to hear about your experience.
Any little tips, tricks, or words of encouragement are always welcome.
For now, we’re just focusing on healing, resting, and hopefully getting back to our normal, slightly chaotic lives.
Although, with five animals, two jobs, graduate school, and everything else we’ve got going on, I’m not entirely sure we’ve ever actually experienced “normal.” 😂
But that’s okay.
One day at a time. One little victory at a time.
And hopefully, a whole lot of better days ahead. ❤️
