It has now been four weeks since my spinal fusion. I wish I could say I was feeling great but really I feel like I have hit a plateau with the nerve pain in my left foot. The nerve pain is certainly better, when I was in the hospital I couldn't even use my left leg and the pain was excruciating, so I am certainly grateful that I have improved so much. However I had to go back to work this week and just wearing shoes is really shitty. Anything touching my foot makes it feel like its on fire. And just being up and moving all day is exhausting. I could barely stay awake today, I feel like my body just isn't ready to be back at work but I am so torn about being there. I have really important work and a publication deadline coming up. Taking more time off could significantly set back my career. I love my work and am so excited about getting published. I feel like for my health ideally I should stay home for at least another week but I am too damn stubborn to do that. I am going to push myself and focus on my work and just do nothing but rest on the weekends and evenings. Hopefully that all works out well.