Monday, January 23, 2006

What a pain in the back!


This past week, I twisted my back, straining some muscles. Apparently my sacro-iliac joint gets stuck sometimes. It has not happened very often, but I’ve had this kind of episode very occasionally over the last 20 years. So, it isn’t just the joys of aging. I have had this happen twice now in the last three months. We are not amused.

Ice, then heat, large doses of anti-inflammatory drugs muscle relaxers, and even the occasional heavy drugs. What must if be like for those with chronic conditions or disabilities. I have no right to complain, but, of course, I do.

It is hard for me to slow down, let alone stop dead. In spite of years of neglect, I am strong as an ox (usually), and I have a rather high tolerance of pain. At 6’2”, 250 lbs., size 14 shoes, big bones, and a very thick skull, I feel ridiculous when I am hobbling around, walking very gingerly, holding on to things, hollering and near tears because of the pain.

I am not a happy camper. But I don’t get angry, I get depressed. The world as we know it has ended. All of life is but pain and suffering. Woe is me!

What a whiner! It’s better now. Much. And unusually good weather even permitted a short, easy hike on Friday (only about 3 miles). I am grateful. Yes. Very grateful.

2 comments:

Ross said...

I'm sorry to hear about your pain. It can get pretty horrible, can't it. I've been in back recovery for about a year now, and I seem to have the opposite build as you (srawny guy).

Take care of yourself. I'll be praying for you.

Michael Dodd said...

I don't know which is more difficult to deal with -- one's aches and pains or knowing one shouldn't whine about them. For years I suffered with near-crippling gout attacks (how eighteenth-century-country-squire is that?), and it was as painful to have people see me creeping about as it was to creep about.
Prayers and peace and patience to you.

mzgssmx -- the sound of a macho guy muffling a wimpy scream