Hi everyone, I wanted to share a little more about what’s been going on and what’s ahead. On September 3, I’ll be having a posterior spinal fusion with a TLIF at Presbyterian St. Luke’s Medical Center in Denver. At 37 years old, this isn’t something I ever imagined I’d be facing, and it’s certainly not a decision I made lightly. The reason for the surgery is that I have a bilateral pars defect at my L5 vertebra, which means it’s broken on both sides. Over time, those breaks have caused my spine to become unstable, and I’ve developed spondylolisthesis, where one vertebra has slipped forward. During surgery, my surgeon will stabilize everything using four screws, two rods, and a cage. I also have several additional findings in my lower back that contribute to the overall picture. At L2-L3, there is a minimal left paracentral disc protrusion. At L4-L5, there is a minimal disc bulge with a small central annular fissure, which is a small tear in the outer portion of the disc. At L5-S1, there is a minimal disc bulge that is more prominent toward the left, along with mild osteophyte (bone spur) formation associated with the L5 pars defects. These changes are causing narrowing of the left neural foramen, which is the opening where the nerve exits the spine. The nerve compression has also caused significant pain and other symptoms. I deal with nerve pain in my hips and legs that can extend into my thighs and keeps me up at night. I also experience numbness in my saddle area and in my feet. There are even times when something as simple as coughing or sneezing can aggravate my back so severely that I’m dealing with increased pain and symptoms for days afterward. For the past year, I’ve done everything I could to avoid this surgery. I truly wanted there to be another option. I’ve gone through physical therapy, had spine injections, and tried to push through the pain, hoping things would improve. Unfortunately, they haven’t. Since August 2025, my life has changed more than I ever expected. Things that most people don’t even think about—rolling over in bed, standing long enough to cook a meal, sitting through a conversation, walking through the grocery store, or bending down to pick something up—have become painful challenges. Chronic pain has a way of stealing pieces of your life little by little, and there have been days when simply making it through the day has felt like a victory. I’ll be in the hospital for at least two nights after surgery. Before I can come home, I’ll need to meet specific goals with physical and occupational therapy to make sure I can safely manage everyday activities. Then the real work begins. Recovery will be long. For at least three months, I won’t be allowed to bend, lift, or twist. I’ll be wearing a back brace, learning how to move in a completely different way, and relying on others more than I’m used to. I’ll likely need assistance walking at first, and there will be pain, frustration, and slow progress. I know healing won’t happen overnight, but I’m committed to doing everything I can to give myself the best chance at a healthier future. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t scared. Surgery is overwhelming, and it’s hard not to think about everything that could happen. At the same time, I’m holding onto hope. Hope that one day I can wake up without constant pain. Hope that I can enjoy the little things again without having to think about every movement. Hope that this surgery gives me my life back. As difficult as this journey will be, I know I won’t be walking it alone. Your prayers, messages, encouragement, and support mean more than I can ever express. Whether you’ve checked in on me, made me laugh on a hard day, or simply kept me in your thoughts, please know that it has made a difference. Thank you for being here with me. I’ll use this page to share updates along the way, celebrate the small victories, and be honest about the difficult days too. I know this road won’t be easy, but I’m believing it’s leading me toward a better quality of life. Here’s to taking one step at a time and trusting that brighter days are ahead. ❤️