[Justin]

Bob, Dale, Phylly, Linda, et al:

Thank you all for your kind words. This has been a really challenging week for me pain-wise. The deep tissue massage was very helpful, and got me through the last day and a half pretty well.

However, I hit a brick wall today. I'm still in my 20's and my back has been through major trauma, 2 surgeries and things are looking grim once again. Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for the health I do have--it's just hard to think down the road 10, 20, 30 years from now.

Once your health is compromised or "taken from you," your outlook on life changes drastically. I know mine has changed over the last 15 years living with spine problems...there are days I wish I could go back and never put on that football uniform.

The past is the past, but I will admit that I've asked myself this question a lot lately: "What would my life be like with a normal spine?" I refuse to entertain an answer because deep down I know 9/10 days would be better...