How many of you sit with your legs crossed? For me, this was a HUGE accomplishment. As I was on my weight loss journey, the point when I could sit comfortably with my legs crossed was a MAJOR milestone. For years, I yearned to cross my legs and not have to do the ankle to knee cross. You know what I mean right?
Today, my huge accomplishment became part of my worst nightmare. As I was sitting at my desk this morning, I uncrossed my legs when a sharp shooting pain shot from my lower back down my leg. I kept right on working because I thought it would pass. After about an hour of having about a 4 or 5 pain level, I attempted to go upstairs. I did accomplish the task but it took a few minutes – first I tried to walk up then I hunched over and finally, I literally crawled up the steps. My back hurt when I put pressure on my left foot. My back hurt when I tried to walk. UGH! Pain level was now a 10! I was due to leave for the periodontist for a check up so hubby’s solution – 6 ibuprofen. It took a little but it finally kicked in and I was able to head out the door for my appointment.
Fast forward to about 4PM…Pain level is about 11! Walking, sitting, standing – EVERYTHING HURT!!! Next stop ER at Ocean Medical. Rob drops me off and goes to park the car. As I hobble in, security asks – do you need the ER? Was it that obvious as I limp, shuffle and grimace in pain? Rob looked for a wheelchair but none were to be had.
Among all of the ice falls, I calmly tell the receptionist, I have NO IDEA what I did but I am in pain. She was very sympathetic and tried to speed the process. Triage nurse takes my blood pressure and looks a little concerned at the 103/50 so she quickly moves me to “express care”. She wanted me to move quickly but my body was screaming “STOP”. I shuffled across the hall and waited.
The PA asked all kinds of questions… then he asked me to lay down so he could do a few tests. You know, lift your legs – PAIN. Push on my hand – PAIN. The end result – acute lumbar back pain. UGH! No offense, but I could have told them that when I walked in the door or at least tried to…
First round of meds done, dinner at the Chinese buffet and home to rest and relax. I am not a good patient so being restricted is going to be tough. As I have always said – this does NOT fit into my schedule. Thankfully, my Thirty One party on Thursday night is online!
For those of you who suffer from chronic back pain (including my hubby), I feel for you. I can’t imagine living with a pain level that is great than 5 or a regular basis. Time for some more meds…
Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!
Hope you feel better!! My husband has gotten such bad pain we have had to take him in an ambulance!! Take it easy!! 🙂