Strength Training Quest: Conquer Your Hernia Philistines Like David

"An ultrasound revealed what is believed to be a very rare muscular 4cm hernia on my left lower back L3/L4 area. Can I still weight lift? What treatment options do I have?"

Hey buddy,

I really hate to hear about that rare muscular hernia situation. It's like life threw us a curveball, right? But no worries, we're in this together, and I've got a story to share that might resonate with our strength training journey.

First off, let's hit up a doc. Our health is like this epic quest, and our doc is the wise guide, helping us navigate through the twists and turns. You know, it's a bit like when David and his crew got wind of the Philistines messing with the town of Keilah. They didn't hesitate to do the right thing; they took action to protect what was important.

Now, according to the Hernia Center of Southern California, post-surgery, we can ease back into lifting within a week. Think of it as leveling up in your strength training game. But here's the deal: we gotta stick to the script our doc hands us. Slow and steady, my friend, wins the race.

Now, let's talk treatment options, our adventure choices (as reviewed by Dr. Rakshith Bharadwaj, MD of Internal Medicine) are:

• Watchful waiting is like the chill mode, especially for smaller hernias. Our doc might monitor it and recommend surgery if things get wild.
• Lifestyle changes are like power-ups; losing weight and avoiding heavy lifting can be our secret weapons.
• Meds, they're like health potions in our arsenal.

Now, surgery, the grand finale. The American Society of Anesthesiologists explained two primary options:

• Open surgery, the classic approach, or
• Laparoscopic surgery, the ninja move.

Our doc is like the director, helping us pick our script.

Remember that story of David saving the town of Keilah?

Then they told David, saying, “Look, the Philistines are fighting against Keilah, and they are robbing the threshing floors.” Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the Lord said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah.” (1 Samuel 23:1–2)

It's like our own journey. Our hernia might not be stealing grain, but it's stealing our peace, right? It's parallel to watchful waiting, monitoring the threat and taking action if needed. Lifestyle changes become our secret weapons, empowering us to face the challenge head-on. Meds, well, they're like the health potions aiding our battle. And surgery, it's the grand finale, where our doc directs the ultimate script to conquer the hernia Philistines.

You might feel the fear, kinda like David's men fearing Saul's persecution.

But David’s men said to him, “Look, we are afraid here in Judah. How much more then if we go to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines?” Then David inquired of the Lord once again. (1 Samuel 23：3–4)

But we gotta listen to that higher calling. Faith and courage, my friend. We're like modern Davids, facing our Philistines, the hernia, head-on.

And speaking of faith, that killer verse from Proverbs 3:5-6 fits like a glove:

"Trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding; in all our ways submit to Him, and He will make our paths straight."

It's the cheat code for life's quests.

Hope this extended journey analogy clicks.

If it does, please UPVOTE, COMMENT, & SHARE.

May you tackle this strength training quest with the power of David and the wisdom of Solomon.

Faithfully yours,

Strength Training with Gary