January 16, 2010

• Starting the New Year in Misery....

  At the suggestion of my wonderful hubs I decided to blog about the worst thing that's ever happened to me physically, because he never wants me to forget what an awesome husband he's been the past week.

  So the second half of last year I was pretty good about working out and taking care of my body. I even started jogging, yes me, jogging. I could hardly believe it! I managed to work myself down to my pre-marriage weight and run 3 miles in less than 30 min (something I'd never done before)!

  Well, fast forward to the holidays and all the awesome eats and then our annual trip to Orlando to see family and friends and do more eating. *sigh* Working out and eating right went to the wayside. Then when I attempted to get back on track I hurt the heel of my right foot and couldn't step down on it without grimacing, so working out was put on hold.

  So the new year starts and my heel is still busted, and I am basically in hibernation mode because it was sooo freaking cold in NYC. I feel the pounds creeping back on and my body start going back to lazy mode.

  Then disaster struck. On Tuesday morning as I was getting ready to head out to the office, I'm folding a sweater on my bed and *bam* I feel as though someone stabbed me in my lower back!! It was so painful and sharp my knees buckled and I fell down on my bed.

  I was totally stunned and in so much pain I could barely breathe. I called out for the hubs for help, and slowly in excruciating pain he helps me flip over on my back. I think the whole thing took 10 minutes and included lots of needless cursing and crying from my part and of course the hubs took it all with patience and a calm I'll never have.

  I've never had any significant back pain in my life and didn't know if something broke or if this was a muscle problem.

  I managed to contact several doctor friends and ended up getting a web diagnosis from our good friend Mikey and also some confirmation from several other folks, including my mother who has experienced severe back pain from a bad car accident. The diagnosis -I badly strained by lower back muscles from walking around with most of the pressure on the left side of my body to avoid putting pressure on my right heel.

  I really wanted to physically go see a doctor or acupuncturist but the pain was so intense I couldn't bear the thought of moving, let alone getting out of my building, into a cab and being jostled around 30 blocks downtown. Since the pain wasn't shooting down my legs and I have no history of back problems or ever had a major car accident or trauma, everyone pretty much agreed it wasn't a disc problem.
   
  The advice I received was to just lie down on my back with a pillow under my knees and ice my back on and off for 15 minutes and take ibuprofen.  I basically did this the entire first day and then switched to heat when it seemed like there was no more swelling. I ended up bedridden for 4 days and it wasn't until the fourth day I could even attempt to get out of bed without help. The hubs had to help me do everything -and I mean everything. I can honestly say now there is no mystery left to me. The hubs has seen and done it all for me.

  This was the most humbling, painful and scariest experience I've gone through so far. I don't know if I've ever cried or prayed so much before. I cried until there were no more tears left in me. In desperation, the hubs contacted our small group and several friends from church and they prayed for me and sent sweets and even a back device.  Through these prayers I was able to get out of bed the few times I desperately needed to use the bathroom.

  I'm sitting here now blogging in pain but nothing like the pain from 4 days ago. On a scale of 1 to 10 the pain is now a 4 and I'm finally able to sit in a chair without sharp stabs of pain. It's more of a constant ache now. I never thought I'd be grateful for a constant ache.

  Despite the horror of the past week I feel like I've learned a lesson. As my good friend Jami once said, "I really should honor my maker with the temple he gave me by taking care of myself."

  I shouldn't let exercise and eating right just go by the wayside when I get busy or when things aren't convenient.  I've also learned the importance of flexibility and stretching and can't wait to incorporate stretching into my workouts. I'm definitely looking forward to being able to stand for more than 5 minutes and walk around the block.

  Also, I'm forever in debt to my hubs. He took such great care of me...I don't have any patience and couldn't have taken care of him in the same kind, gentle way. Thank you God for such a good man! And thanks to all the folks that prayed, emailed, texted and called me. I'm so grateful for the well wishes and concern.

  I'm getting better each day and I will return a better, healthier Eugy

  • 8:38 pm
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