MY THOUGHTS THIS FALL – NOVEMBER 2025

An impending surgery on my neck has occupied my thoughts this year. In January, I had to see a neurosurgeon. They ordered an MRI, and it showed vertebrae in my neck pressing on my spinal cord. This is the same condition that prompted surgery for Anita last year.

It was early in the ski season. I had only skied twice. My doctor advised me to stop skiing and to refrain from participating in any high-velocity sports. I argued that I wasn’t feeling any pain there, but was experiencing a lot of pain in my lower back and left hip. I had already seen an orthopedic surgeon in Albuquerque about a hip replacement. So, reluctantly and with a broken heart, I received a refund for my season ski pass and relinquished my ski locker. It was one of the worst days of my life. I kept asking why I should have surgery on something that doesn’t bother me.

Since I moved to Long Island, I have noticed numbness in my hands, and they tell me that the occasional burning sensation in my upper right arms and lower left leg is coming from my neck. I am having trouble walking and have fallen several times. I use a cane to help keep me safe. The doctors have told me that a nasty fall could leave me paralyzed. My greatest fear is not being able to walk.

I’ve been seeing a neurosurgeon here. The last time I visited her, my daughter, Deb, came with me. We asked the doctor for the details about the surgery. She said I would be in the OR for three to four hours. Afterwards, it would feel like I was hit by a Mack Truck. Then, four to eight weeks of physical therapy to aid in recovery.

I was supposed to follow up with her last week, but she had to reschedule. I met with her today, and we discussed January as a possible date. That's based on the results of another medical procedure I'm having this Saturday. I go back and forth on whether to go forward with the surgery or not. Most of the other doctors that I talked to about it said I should do it. Another told me he had the same problem but didn’t want to undergo the operation. A physical therapist I was seeing also advised against it. He said MRIs are just a picture.

This year, our big move has taken me away from working on my new novel. Will neck surgery keep me away from writing again in the new year?

As for Anita’s surgery, it was beneficial to her. Before the operation, she couldn’t get out of bed, couldn’t walk, and was numb from the waist down. After the operation, she underwent extensive physical therapy to learn to walk again. She still gets around with the aid of a cane, but the numbness persists; her neurologist said her spinal cord was injured from the vertebrae pressing on it. A recent MRI shows that her condition is improving, and it is expected to continue improving with additional physical therapy.

I look forward to your thoughts and comments. If you have tried to comment on my blog, I apologize that it didn't work. I’m still trying to resolve that. For the time being, please email your comments to books@bobpuglisi.com. I want to thank all of you who read my blog, and I appreciate your thoughts and comments.

On another note, we had a craft fair recently at Pinewood Estates, where I live. I had a table to sell books. It was my first book sale since moving to Long Island. I was very pleased with the results. Please keep my books in mind as you shop for your holiday gifts.

Wishing you and your families a very

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!