I realize that I'm seldom the barrer of good news so this is a delightful turn of events.

My doctor cleared me to go back to work on the 18th! After nearly a year on workers comp, with limited mobility, months of physical therapy and countless needles in my back, I'm at about 60-65% and they want to see how well I handle part time. Its only about 12 hours a week, and as much as I sometimes hate the place, I'm glad to be getting out of the house and on my feet again

I'm still going to battle pain every day. The cortisone shots help a bit but I end up sore at the end of days when I'm on my feet a lot. I'll probably have to try an experimental procedure later on down the road as well, but I'll do anything to avoid surgery. 

I went back to the store today to talk to my managers and I got hugs and so many people telling me they can't wait for me to come back. Didn't realize they felt that way. Almost made me cry.