Ouch.. redefined

I always thought of myself as a die hard when it comes to pain. I've been through so many things throughout my life that caused tremendous amounts of pain,and I keep amazing doctors and other people because I can take so much and heal so fast. I guess I became a bit arrogant about it, believing there was no pain in the world that could incapacitate me. And then, the Universe decided to teach me a lesson.

Two days ago, I woke up.. and couldn't move. The slightest attempt would cause me unbearable pain in my lower back and thighs, and even without moving it felt as if someone had stuck a knife in between two discs at the bottom of my spine. Struggling and crawling I managed to get out of bed anyhow, and I even managed to get myself up and down the stairs to wake the kids and get them dressed and ready for school. But no way I was ever gonna walk the 30 minutes to school to take them there. Luckily, my Love saw this was serious, and so he drove the kids to school and arranged to be home early enough to pick them up, as well. God I love that man, he so is my rock every time I need one.

While they were all gone I tried to phone our family doctor to make an appointment. The phone was busy constantly and when I finally did get through it was past the time for making an appointment and I got the answering machine. I dragged myself through the morning and, even though I thought that was not possible, the pain got worse. I could not stand, nor sit, nor lie down, nor walk. I took the heaviest painkillers I could find in the house, doubled the dose, and it didn't help a bit. Whatever I did or did not do.. it was pure and utter torture. It brought tears to my eyes and finally I decided to call the physiotherapist who helped me a few years ago when a disc in my neck had slipped causing part of my right hand to go numb. She listened, and she must have heard in my voice that I was in a bad shape, because she scheduled me for an appointment the very next day even though according to her assistant who initially answered the phone she was very busy, and it would probably take a while before she had a spot.

The day passed in a blur of pain and trying to cope, and the night was sleepless apart from a few short naps here and there. Yet, the next morning the pain was less. It was far from gone, but at least it was bearable. Ron took the kids to school again, and at noon when it was time to pick them up, I was brave enough to go there by bike, and I made it. In the afternoon I saw the physiotherapist, who massaged my cramped up muscles and then started pushing my bones back to where they should have been all along. That hurt, a lot, but it was nothing compared to what I had felt the day before.

That was yesterday, and today I am almost without pain as long as I don't make any weird moves, lift heavy things etc. Just a bit stiff. I'll need to go and see the physiotherapist a few more times to work on the last bits of irregularity in my lower back, but for the most part I am fine.

But mannn.. was I wrong in believing I knew it all and was too strong to be brought down by something as silly as pain. I'd rather have both my caesarians and if need be, a root canal treatment on the same day than go through this again. Hell.. lumbago be thy name. I salute you.