Best News, Birthday Party, & Deutsch Bier

Day 73
Monday, March 15, 2011
I got out of bed at around 0900 and made myself some eggs for breakfast. I had to be out the door by 1330 for my doctors appointment so I immediately started on some house work. I did some dishes, mopped the kitchen floor, and cleaned the bathroom. I did some laundry and then finally took a shower and got dressed to go. I was seeing Dr. Kessler, an Orthopedic Specialist at the Klinikum Sindelfingen-Böblingen for a second opinion on my back problems. Since finding out from another German doctor that I needed disc replacement surgery which is not covered by our insurance with Tricare, I figured it couldn't hurt to get a second opinion.

About two hours later I was actually scheduling (less severe) back surgery which IS covered by Tricare! This has been the best news I've ever received about my back issues which have been getting worse over the past 2-3 years. Although nothing is a guaranteed 100% fix, this should alleviation the pain, allowing me to lead a "normal" life, which is all that matters. The surgery will be a 3 day in-patient, 20 minute procedure where the surgeon removes the part of my disc that is bulging back and pressing on my spine and nerves. I guess I have one disc that is worse than the other and if it can be shaved, I shouldn't feel the pain anymore. I go in for surgery on May 2nd and the actual surgery will take place on the 3rd. I am on cloud nine after hearing this news.

Cullen's Birthday Cupcakes

This evening we got a bunch of people together and went out for our dear friend Cullen's birthday. He chose to have his birthday dinner at the Schönbuch Brauhaus & Biergarten in Böblingen. I can't believe we've been in the area for over six months and haven't eaten here before. This place is in walking distance (about 30 mins) from our house. Germans tend to walk everywhere around here so 30 minutes is nothing in case you were thinking, "that's not walking distance." In the summer they have outdoor seating and festivals. They offer brewery tours and beer tasting all year round. I can't wait to get a certificate for completing their beer pouring course.

The Brauhaus

I love getting together with friends and experiencing the German culture. It's always more fun when we have an entire fest table of Americans in a restaurant or festival. Cullen and the other guys went out for more drinks after we left the restaurant and Matt and I went home to get to bed early...it had been a long day.

Men talk of killing time, while time quietly kills them.  ~Dion Boucicault