Today we made the trek back to Budapest. It is about a 5 1/2 hour drive and we made it in just at 7 hours. I’m amazed at how well my back did. I sat up in the front seat wearing my new brace. In the past few days, the brace has put pressure on my incision and caused me a lot of pain. Today, since I wasn’t moving or walking, it didn’t irritate the incision at all.

The main pain that I’m experiencing now is called “distraction pain.” It is because the doctor spread apart (distracted) my vertebrae in order to insert the disc. Even though they only spread them apart 10 milimeters or so above normal, it still has an impact on the nerves. Last night, I woke up with aching in my legs. This is classic distraction pain. Based upon things that I have read, this can last quite a while and show itself in different ways. It can be quite a distraction

It is great to be home. Nine days is a long time to be away from the kids. It was a wonderful reunion.

Now I want to tell you how awesome my wife is!! Here’s a summary of her day:
– Woke up at 6:30am, got dressed and ate breakfast. Then, she brought me breakfast in the room.
– 7:45 – off to find an ATM and get some more Euros
-8:00 – the pharmacy opened and she had to navigate the german pharmacy system to get my medications
-8:30 – returned to the hotel and packed and loaded the entire van. This killed me as I had to watch her lug the huge suitcases. I tried to just pack my own suitcase and it just about killed me.
– Paid the hotel bill, tipped the housekeepers
– found a German post office and mailed a letter
– Drove the entire way home
– Put the kids to bed (one of which has a fever and needed some extra TLC – Kirby Ann)
– Is now unpacking the van and putting things away.

This is just a little insight into what a wonderful wife I have. She has served me so well this week and I don’t think I could have made it without her. Unfortunately, days like today are going to be repeated many times over the course of the next days, weeks and months. I don’t deserve such a wonderful gift from the Lord. I love you sweetheart!!! Please keep her in your prayers as she has the harder road to recovery.