I. HATE. RUNNING.

Or at least that's what I used to tell myself... Until the day I physically COULDN’T run anymore... It’s funny how life has a strange way of teaching us lessons. Especially when it comes to us taking things for granted.

Although I struggled with being overweight my whole life I still remained active throughout...I was always an athlete and challenging my body was something I did on the regular.

Once I graduated high school and was no longer a part of any sports team it was up to solely me to motivate myself to workout. So I (somewhat) did. Along the way, though, I injured my lower back... I thought i must have just gone too heavy in the gym and that it would get better in the next few days... it didn’t. I thought maybe the next few weeks, months, year? It didn’t. I tried physical therapy , acupuncture, chiropractors , massages, and even multiple epidural shots... nothing worked. The injury got so bad to the point where I couldn’t even walk for longer than 15 minutes without breaking down due to the unbearable pain from my back shooting down both of my legs.

In those moments I remember thinking damn... I would give anything to be able to just run again... even stand for long periods of time... I felt helpless.

Luckily that’s when I did my research and found Dr. Choll Kim out of spine institute San Diego... this man and his work literally changed my life. Turns out I had a ruptured disc so large in my L4-5 he named it “the whopper” . He performed a microdiscectomy on me and the pain relief was instant. I was literally able to walk myself to the car the same day and go on multiple short walks every day after... I was so grateful! I told myself from that point on I would never take my health for granted ever again. I will respect, strengthen and nurture my body properly on a daily basis and I will never give up on making myself better. I work very hard to keep this promise.

As a result I have lost 50lbs and gained a whole lot more self-respect. I run several times a week and am always working to strengthen my body. All in all this is my long way of saying to be appreciative...Appreciative of the fact that we woke up today. It’s so easy to get distracted and frustrated and annoyed on a daily basis...however, with a shift of perspective our lives could be so much more abundant, so much happier. If you’re going through a struggle know that there is always something to learn from it and it will inevitably make you a better person at the other end of it.

I developed severe sciatica after a fall. I also had mild scoliosis and was 80 years old. I tried many of the non surgical treatments. I went to a chiropractor, I tried PT, and I tried shots. My massage therapist told me the problem involved my nerves, and she could make me feel better but my condition would not respond to massage therapy. I did not want surgery, but I was so miserable, I finally had to consider it.

My son and his mother-in-law had used Dr. Kim for their back surgeries and highly recommended him. Dr. Kim’s reputation and the fact that he uses non invasive techniques made me decide to use him as my surgeon. I was hoping not to have to undergo general anesthesia but it turned out to be necessary in my case.

I was very concerned about general anesthesia because of my age and the fact that I had problems with anesthesia in my one previous surgical experience. I finally decided I had no choice but to use general anesthesia. I am glad I decided this because the anesthesiologist took every precaution, and I recovered quickly from the effects of the anesthesia.

My fear of becoming a vegetable was unfounded, and as far as I can tell, I am the same old me.

My surgery was a success. I am glad every day that I chose Dr. Kim as my surgeon. I exercise every day and I do my PT exercises every day. My physical therapist told me I don’t need PT any more, but I continue therapy once a month because of my age and to insure that I don’t backslide and develop problems.

I am able to travel, drive, sit comfortably, walk, and play tournament bridge. I have plenty of energy and I sleep well at night. I am able to continue my volunteer work as an advocate for kids. I currently have three cases with three teenagers and a baby. I also write for the CASA (court appointed special advocate) newsletter.

In short, I have my life back.

I will always be able to tell I had surgery. But I can live with twinges and am overjoyed to be able to do what I want with only minor discomfort. Would I do it again? Absolutely! And I would not have waited a year.

Would I recommend Dr. Kim and his staff? Absolutely! HE IS BEST!