Give It Another Shot

I just returned from my 8 billionth doctor's appointment. First, a little backstory:

In April 2008, I was at work and about to clock out. After a playful tussle with a female co-worker, I lifted her, fireman-carry style, and walked her around the parking lot, eventually arriving at her car. When I lifted her, I immediately saw stars. I had picked her up at an awkward angle, and the torque it created on my back, I eventually discovered, caused a herniation at my L4/5 disc. I have since had back surgery and have seen probably 8 different doctors because the surgical procedure did not resolve the main issue.....the persistent pain in my ass. No, this is no play on words. I literally have a pain in my ass. It never goes away or lessens.

Today, I went to my second appointment with a particular doctor, this one a pain management specialist. I've seen others of his ilk and they were unsuccessful, but at the direction of my most recent physician, I am now seeing Dr. S. He is very straightforward and looks like a mix of Andrew Dice Clay and Sylvester Stallone....but with a Jewish last name. I actually like his No B.S. approach. His recommendation, like many of the others, is to get a shot right into the piriformis muscle, which we believe is the source of my discomfort. This, however, is not my first rodeo. I have had a previous shot into the muscle, but it didn't affect the pain at all----except the one in my wallet as these things can be expensive. Needless to say, he assured me this time it would be cheaper.

Does hope spring eternal? Is Andrew Dice Stallone Rabinowitz my savior or is he just another in a long line of failed attempts? Do I give him one more shot? I am trying to remain positive and think that finally I will get some relief, but I guess that remains to be seen. Perhaps I will get my answer on Thursday after my 8 a.m. appointment. I just have to remember to warn him that, if he is successful, he should be prepared for my celebratory hug since I will hardly be able to contain myself.