"The Power of the Human Mind" - Time Out #166

It's an absolute thrill!

That time-eternal statement "mind over matter" to this point in time is so, so true regarding this ol' silverback (aka, me).

At the conclusion of my 51st season of high school officiating season after Thanksgiving last season, I began thinking my Friday Night Lights activity for over half a century, was permanently finished. I had extensive lower back surgery, performed by my genius and skilled neurosurgeon, Dr. Eric, in Oklahoma City on St. Patrick's Day, 2012. This successful operation had give me a "new life" to continue my officiating dream. For decades, I had aspired to be the longest on-the-field high school football official in the history of Oklahoma, and, thanks to Dr, Eric, I was able to accomplish that goal in my first game last year, September, 2017. In order to do anything in life for 51 seasons, a great number of things have to click year after hear after year. The major things are one's job, family, desire, but, perhaps, the hidden major factor is one's health. Advancing age, diseases, and always possibly physical/mental injuries, all are always a distinct possibility to derail one from attaining that magical goal. I had selected many years ago my future officiating goal, and was very fortunate to attain it. I called my first high school varsity game early in my sophomore year at Oklahoma State University in 1967.

So, return again to early December, 2017, when I began having recurring lower back issues, after virtually having none since my wonderful operation over 5 years earlier. Prior to Christmas, the pain became more severe, and my walking became more and more difficult, not to mention my problems with trying to get comfortable while attempting to rest and/or sleep. I followed the logical chain of health care, the initial appointment with my primary care provider, followed my the all-encompassing MRI out-patient test done in Our Town. The next medical step was a medically-accepted steroid injection in my lower back, performed in the Oklahoma City metro area, by a provider I had previously used 3 times before my operation was done. Then, immediately after Christmas, I returned to my neurosurgeon friend in northwest Oklahoma City to get his opinion on my lower back situation. As usual, he spent a long time with me during my office visit, talking with me, and evaluating my x-ray findings. He cautiously recommended several weeks of physical therapy (PT) in Our Town, and a return visit to see him in a month. I followed his skilled advice, and sought out a dedicated therapist, Ken, for several local PT sessions. I also began my daily walking routine of 1-plus miles/day that I have done for years, but had been forced to discontinue for over a month due to my recent physical issue. Not sure during that monthly interval between visits to Dr. Eric whether my physical improvement was due to time, exercise or just what (?), I now believe it was my overpowering mental desire to get better. I desperately wanted to be able to officiate a full schedule one more season, and finish my officiating career on "my terms", not because of a physical disability.

When I returned to see Dr. Eric in late January, 2018, I was markedly improved; my lower back pain level had decreased from an 8-level to a 3-level. He was, I think, pleasantly surprised, and I certainly glad, too. However, I was still wanting to be my ol' "normal" self, so I made a return appointment to see him in March, 2018. I made it very clear to him, I wanted to officiate one more full season, beginning in August, 2018, but he advised me against it. I sought more professional input to my nagging physical issue, so visited my local neurology friend 3 times, and got lots of good professional input from him, along with additional medical testing. I kept telling myself I "could" attain my goal, and after I continued to improve by increasing my walking distances, climbing more stairs, and even losing some body weight, the neurologist told me at my last visit, he thought I might be able to go out on the gridiron for one more full season. Because I had not fully returned to my former physical status and endurance, I even considered another surgery. I scheduled it in early May, but soon cancelled it because I finally convinced myself I could get strong enough, I wouldn't need it. Fortunately, all those left brain vs. right brain dilemmas I had day in and day out for months, were all for naught, as I continued to physically get stronger, and stronger and stronger. I began attending my required high school football rule meetings in early July, and by the time the regular season rolled around in hot, late August in Our State, the "Little Engine that Could" (i.e., me) was on the Friday Night Lights field for my 52nd full season.

The power of the human mind is unbelievable, and I have truly experienced it up-close and personal. Anything is possible with the willpower of the human will. I am forever grateful!