The other patient

Ellen has failed in her feeble attempt to upstage me medically. Her surgery (L4-5 microdiskectomy) this morning appears to have been successful, and she is resting comfortably as I write. In fact, she’s able to walk around and so far has felt none of the numbness or tingling in her left leg that she’s experienced the last four months. I spoke briefly with the surgeon while Ellen was in recovery, and he seemed pleased with how everything went. We’re now twice relieved this week. The patient is gladly receiving emails and phone calls.