The Latest with Lauren

While I don't have a picture to share of Lauren's MRI, it doesn't take a medical degree to see there's a big problem in her back!  She can describe what's going on better than me, but while we wait for her to update her blog, here's my best attempt at an explanation...

She has a slipped/herniated disc in the lumbar region of her back (L5).  It had been giving her grief for 5 weeks before a trip to the doctor prompted an MRI and an appt with a spine surgeon.  Therapy was started immediately, but Lauren said that no one who has seen the MRI is optimistic that therapy alone is going to solve the problem.  Apparently it's the worst case her doctor has ever seen.  A trip to the spine surgeon yesterday prompted the first in a series of 3 epidural steroid shots at 2-week intervals.  The shots and therapy are her only shot, no pun intended :), at avoiding surgery.

Needless to say, her water polo season for this year is over.  I know she's disappointed, but I think her overwhelming feeling is relief that they finally found the source of her pain and they have a plan to fix it.  She will probably take a medical red shirt year to maintain 3 more years of athletic eligibility.

I'm looking forward to seeing her at the Irvine Water Polo tournament February 21 and 22--her 20th birthday!