Robb's Back Problems and MRI

Robb had been having some back pain way back in May when we went on our Disney Vacation and it never seemed to completely resolve itself. Then fast forward to June and one of our lake house guests left the paddle boat right side up on the deck and it filled with water and Robb tried to play Hulk and hurt himself lifting it. Now, he may have a different account of this but of course he wouldn't write an entry in the blog so this is my version. He struggled with pain all of June and come July a week before Yankton he finally went to see a doctor. Robb hates going to the doctor, so things had gotten pretty bad by the time he went. He couldn't hardly sit and driving was excruciatingly painful. He couldn't get into his doctor before Yankton so he just went to a walk in clinic. He got a steroid injection and anti inflammatory meds but it didn't help him much. When we got back from Yankton he went to see his primary doctor and he gave him meds that helped more but he was still in constant pain. He got a referral to physical therapy and started doing that 1-2 times a week. He felt like he was making progress but he still had trouble sitting, driving and was unable to do most of the outside chores around the house. The boys and I quickly figured out how to work the new mower and team mowed each week. If you know Robb he is a go getter and thrives on having projects and stuff to do so this was a struggle for him. It was also a struggle for me to keep up while taking on yard work plus all my other responsibilities. He continued to do physical therapy until November and he just wasn't making much head way. I finally convinced him it was time for another doctor visit and an MRI. Once I suggested these things he followed through I guess I just need to remember that Robb will never take a hint and I just need to put it out there what I need him to do. He tried getting another injection after seeing another doctor and we were disappointed when that didn't give him relief. Since the injection didn't work, his only option was surgery. Not an option he was at all excited for. We scheduled his surgery for February so I will let you know how it goes.
I must say this has been a long journey for our family. With Robb being in almost constant pain he is not the easy going guy that he normally is. He would whole heartedly disagree that this has changed him but I think the kids and I have really noticed a difference in his patience and mood. We are really hoping that this surgery offers some relief! Pain is a crazy thing and it is something that when you deal with it day in and day out it is wearing. We are praying that surgery is the answer!