Life Has Thrown Me a Lemon

Life has a way of knocking you down.

Last Monday I woke up with a bit more hip pain than usual. I've had hip pain in my right hip for years and always just chalked it up to arthritis. I've been active my entire life, so having hip pain was just a part of the walking, the running, and the cycling. But Monday morning made me think something else was going on.

Tuesday the pain was worse. Wednesday even worse. And Thursday the pain was to the point that I couldn't stand, walk, sit, or lay down. The pain was excruciating. To the point of crying. 

I ended up at the ER. I didn't want to go. I wanted to wait until morning to go to prompt care. But the pain was the worst I have ever experienced in my life. Even going through a natural birth to a nine pounds, ten ounces baby boy was cake compared to the pain I was experiencing Thursday night.

The ER doc initially said sciatica. I said nope. I used to have sciatica and know what it feels like. This was not sciatica. So he ordered a CT scan. When he came in after the CT scan, he said, "So the scan shows you have a fracture of the L2 lumbar vertebrae, and it is compressed." He continued, saying I need to follow-up with my regular doctor and a neurologist. I was given some pain meds and a steroid then let go. 

As I was getting ready to leave the ER, the nurse helping me out said that she had sciatica and went through something very similar not too long ago, that it was a chiropractor who helped her the most and it took about six months for the pain to subside. I really wanted to look at her and say, "Really? Not helpful. Not helpful by a long shot." I also wanted to say, "It's not sciatica! It's a fractured vertebrae! I doubt you went through what I'm experiencing right now. This pain, according to your little pain chart of 0-10 is a 15. Stop minimizing my pain." But I was in too much pain to respond to her nonsense.

And the pain is still excruciating. The pain meds don't touch it. The only thing that helps to any degree at all is to sit in my recliner with my legs up. Walking five steps brings on the pain to the point I have to sit and let it subside. I can't walk the dogs. I can't stand and make breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I am basically a hostage to this pain. And it sucks.

I am worried about Sunny's training. I am worried about making sure the dogs get the exercise they need. I am worried about the long-term damage this fractured vertebrae compressing the nerves will have on my mobility. I am exhausted from not being able to sleep. I am behind on grading.

All I can do is muddle through.


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