Sorry, I've been away. Not away
physically, but mentally. This blog was intended to be a place for
positive thoughts, and I'm nowhere near positive right now. In fact,
I need a passport to even get back from where I've been, I'm so far
away from positive.
But you know what? That's OK. Life is
not always positive. Life is hard, anyone that tells you differently
isn't doing it right. The fact that life is hard is what makes it so
rewarding when you get it right.
Quick update on me: I injured my back a
few weeks ago. The pain got worse and worse, until it was almost
intolerable and causing my blood pressure to rise. Tried oral
steroids, didn't work. Finally an MRI showed a herniated disc with
disc material floating in the vertebral sac. This caused inflammation
and the resulting pressure caused severe sciatica. This is pain that
radiates down the back of the hip and thigh. In my case, sitting
triggers the pain. Do you know how often you sit? Driving, working at
a computer, eating at the table...a lot of things involve sitting,
and I can't do any of them. Driving is the worst. I have two busy
teenagers and I can't pick them up or drop them off. I've really had
to rely on my family to help me. They have been wonderful and I am so
thankful to them.
Oh yeah, and two days after the intense
sciatica started, I got bit by a spider and had a major reaction. At
one point the inflamed bite area was about 8 inches across and hurt
as bad if not worse than the sciatica. So, yeah, staying positive has
been a struggle. My husband will tell you that cranky is sometimes a
polite way to put my mood.
But, thankfully, the spider bite is
completely healed and after a round of epidural steroid injections my
sciatica seems to be improving. I can sit in a chair for five minutes
instead of two minutes before the burning, ripping, tearing pain
starts. Baby steps, but positive steps none the least.
What I have had is a lot of time to
think. I have come to the following conclusions:
- I am extremely lucky. I have a support system around me that can step in when I am incapacitated.
- Being sick or injured is very lonely, even when you are surrounded by people.
- Get Well cards or simply a phone call or text, mean a lot. Take the time to contact someone that is sick or injured. It may seem like a small thing to you, but it means the world to them.
- I am a game show addict. GSN (game show network) is like crack, and my day revolves around making sure I catch Jeopardy at 4:00.
That is about it. Not feeling very
creative or pithy today, but I did want to check in just to let y'all
know I am still here. Hang in there, and if you get a spare minute,
send a little healing energy my way. I really appreciate it.
Pass the pain pills,
Jen
Sickness comes on horseback but departs on foot. ~Dutch Proverb, sometimes attributed to William C. Hazlitt
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