GIVING ME BACK MY PASSION
January 19, 2015
As a single, 40 something woman, I lead an active and busy lifestyle that can do a number on my back. My technology job in product marketing keeps me sitting at my computer all day while my equestrian lifestyle keeps me busy riding my horses, competing and trying to keep up with the maintenance of a 3 acre property. When my lower back pain started preventing me from riding my horses, or training for my newfound passion of barrel racing, I knew I was in trouble.
Dr. Crowder had done a microsurgery on me a year prior after a herniated disc/pinched sciatica stopped me in my tracks. When this latest chronic pain started affecting even the most simple of pleasures, like reading in bed at night, I knew I needed help again. This time around, my L1-L2 disc was completely deteriorated.
Committing to surgery and the recovery time was a hard decision for me. I'd worked hard in 2013 on my horses and had three buckles on the line in my arena obstacle/trail course challenges, barrel racing and pole bending events. My job was also becoming a challenge as the back pain made business travel unbearable.
Dr. Crowder completed full disc replacement on me in August of 2013. Just 3 ½ weeks later, I rode one of my horses to a 1st place finish in an arena obstacle/trail course challenge, walking, trotting and even loping the pattern. After only 7 ½ weeks, I returned to my barrel racing and pole bending. I was advised to ride as long as I was comfortable and continued to run barrels and poles the rest of the year, completing my 2013 season with personal best times and progressing into faster divisions for 2014.
I won my buckle for the arena/obstacle challenge series and also won my buckle for my pole bending yearend highpoint. I have Dr. Crowder and the team at Sonoran Spine for giving me back my passion. The buckles are just icing on the cake!
-J.W.
