PhotoMom Update

[Jody]

Hi everyone, I'm so sorry that I've been MIA these past few months. I don't remember where we left off, but I think I told you all that I had the MRI - the good news is there is no tumor regrowth. But the bad news is that I ruptured the discs at L4-5 and L5-S1, and have spondy at L3. My NS knows how busy I am with my photography, so we've opted to try physical therapy instead of a fusion at this point. It's grueling. They've got me on a pretty good workout program (as if carrying all my camera gear isn't enough), and it's kicking my butt. I think it's starting to work though because I am feeling better. The feeling that someone is driving a 16 penny nail up the tip of my tail bone is gone which is a huge relief. Football season is just starting so that will be the real test.

Also, it turns out that my dad doesn't have an SCT either, which is wonderful news! I forget what his back problem is, but it's bad and he ended up on disability. But no tumor is the key word - we'll take anything else instead.

Another reason I've been MIA, is that my summer got insane! My oldest son broke his collarbone so bad he had to have surgery to repair it, which ruined his senior year of football.

Not only that, but I got really busy shooting really cool things like the SD Padres Baseball, some SD Chargers stuff, World Cup Soccer, and Olympic BMX Trials for one of the wire services. Finally, I redesigned my website, branched out my photography business, and was featured in the September issue (this month) of Shutterbug Magazine. The article created a huge response to my work, which has taken a lot of time as well.

So that's it in a nutshell. I'm sorry I've been gone, and I hope you all don't feel like I've abandoned you, because I haven't. Thank God it's been good stuff, but I think that creates almost as much stress as bad stuff sometimes.

I plan to spend a while tonight catching up with everyone.

Big hugs to everyone!

Jody

[ScrapHeap]

WOW! You have been a busy girl!! Congrats on the shoots. Padres and Chargers deal is nothing to sneeze at. Neither are the Olympic shoots. Seems like you have sorta cracked into the bigs eh?

Glad to hear the good news on no regrowth. That's huge. Sorry to hear of your son's ordeal too. That's gotta hurt! Equally sorry to hear of your disc problems. If it's any consolation, That's almost exactly the same situation I have/had w/my back. I am hosed from S1 to L5. Less hosed now though. I had the fusion back in 1995. I opted for the titanium rods instead of surgical steel. The rods are still there (my choice). It took me a while to recover but the surgery went well.

I too have spondy. But mine is up in the cervical area, between the base of the neck and shoulder area. From what I was told there is no fix for spondy. If I have it right (bad spelling aside) Spondylitis is the developing stages. Spondylosis is when it has set in, for lack of a more knowledgeable explanation. I have Spondylosis. BUMMER!

I feel fortunate enough so far since it isn't completely debilitating for me. It hurts often and causes weakness, stiffness and lack of sensation in my left arm and hand. Hopefully you fair even better with whichever you have.

Keep the shutter flutter going. Good to see you posting again.
-Mike

[tc]

Dear Jody,
Thanks for giving us an update! When people suddenly disappear from here, I worry and wonder about them. You were missed! I'm glad that your photography business is booming. So sorry to hear about your son's injury which will keep him from football his senior year. That is sad.
Thanks for taking the time to write an update.
Teresa

[Joel]

Jody:
Congrats! In your case, it is good to do your photography stuff instead of coming so often to this site. Use this place just when you need it. Sometimes it is good to see people moving on. But, I for one missed you, and am glad you came back. Please do so often and keep us posted on your great career.
Joel