Personal introduction

I have ridden all my life. I don't remember ever not being near a horse. My family has owned horses for generations - my mom was a very successful show jumper. I have jumped and done dressage for a long time.
Recently I had a baby. I have a job that keeps me mildy comfortable and a superb husband. I have an awesome horse and we are ready for big time.

But now I have been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease. In retrospect I could have seen this coming, years of sitting trot and pains ingnored here and there. My back is sore, my left leg tingles, my right knee throbs starting a few hours after a ride. So I don't (for now). It is not going to get better, I can only slow the degeneration. So I am on a mission - to be healthy as long as possible and search to be the best rider I can be. I want my craft to be refined... but tic toc tic toc.

After MRIs and Xrays my physician today suggested the conservative approach as long as possible so to avoid surgery. He understands... he is a jumper himself. I am not to be on a horse for the next 2 weeks and we are doing steroids and physical therapy for the next 6 weeks and then reevaluating the situation. Let's see how this goes...

I am determined to learn as much as I can about my injury and I want to find you, out there, who have the same kind of problems. How do you deal with being hurt ?