When it comes to good health, I won the lottery.
At least until now.
Never once have I faced a serious health issue. That’s really remarkable for someone who crossed the 50-yard-line two years ago and lived what some might consider an unorthodox lifestyle. In fact, it’s kinda’ shocking I’ve never had a health scare before.
Well, maybe things are finally starting to catch up with me. This past Saturday morning, I threw my back out. I haven’t been able to walk in four days. The pain has been excruciating.
I’ve tolerated lower back issues off and on for several years. But when something flared up, the pain usually went away after just a day or so. Not this time.
Four days ago, I was preparing for my usual daily run. Just as I stood up, things didn’t seem right. Something popped. I bowled over and hit the ground, and ultimately ended up tucked into a fetal position. I was a jar of Gerber away from sucking my thumb. That’s pretty much been my 24-hour existence ever since. Even typing — as I’m doing right now — is uncomfortable.
Right now, simply rising to my feet and standing up places intense pressure on the lower spine, triggering a sharp pain. The shock races down to both knees. One has the feeling that the backbone simply can’t support your own weight. Even though I’ve tried to stretch and work through the pain as I’ve done before, the body completely freezes at times. Nothing moves.
But there’s an upside. My current state of semi-immobility has given me two things — first, a broader sense of awareness, and second, deeper feelings of compassion for others who are far less fortunate. Indeed, many people are forced to endure pain every single day. How challenging their daily lives must be to manage constant discomfort while going to work and upholding their responsibilities when pain is such a distraction. I can’t even begin to imagine what some people have to go through.
Of course, life must go on. I’m not willing to sit around and do nothing. Movement actually helps me. So, I’ve tried to keep active as possible. Trouble is, as long as I’m burdened with this back condition, I look like a 95-year-old man. The brain says one thing, but the joints won’t cooperate. You can imagine the tremendous inconvenience that this causes. Fortunately, I haven’t had to fly anywhere or leave the house more than a few times. So if there’s such a thing as “good timing,” this was it. The biggest downside, aside from the constant pain, has been not being able to run for the past several days, which drives me insane knowing I’m essentially bedridden.
I suppose I’ll have to see a doctor about this problem since it’s not going away. The last thing I want is to have to take pain medication, but that’s probably the next step. I’m hopeful it won’t be much more than that, but you never know.
There’s no point to this story, really. I expect things will gradually improve. Still, I wonder about empathy and how easy it is to see the light once you walked in someone else’s shoes.
One has to play the cards you’ve been dealt. And as painful as this is at times, plenty of brave people have it much worse.
My heart goes out to them.