I’ve done my back in. Twice in three weeks. Now this is a first for me as I’m a robust kind of gal and rarely suffer from aches and pains. Even in pregnancy I don’t remember any significant backache. (I remember a hell of a lot of other ghastly things about it but I won’t divulge them I don’t want to discourage anyone from having children even though you won’t have a decent night’s sleep for about ten years, you’ll look like Donald Pleasance in drag until they leave home at 18 and question your sanity everyday for the rest of your life.)
So the first time I awoke in the night with pain in my hip. “That’s odd” I thought, “Has Mr T been trying it on without my knowledge?” ( He hadn’t but it’s the thought that counts.) Then by morning it had spread to a stiffness in my whole back and I was kaput. It took me about three days or so to get back to what seemed normal. I put it down to bad luck which is on a par with what most Doctors say when you go to the surgery which in my experience is usually one of three phrases;
a) “It’s just one of things!”
b) “You’re getting old. You’ll just have to put up with it!”
c) “You’re depressed. The pain is a symptom of your depression!”
Now, Dear Readers, I want to offer you my life experiences on such Doctors’ phraseology – If you are unlucky enough to experience all three of these diagnosis for the same complaint may I suggest checking your life insurance before seeking private medical care.
Anyway, time passed and all seemed okay with my back and then early last week I was cleaning in the kitchen (Okay, okay go easy on the universal gasps of horror) and I nearly passed out which again is something I have never done. Basically, I have the constitution of an ox – unless my stomach has one of those funny moments. (I also have the legs of an ox but that’s a different story.) Anyway, I decided to put this episode down to an overdose of cleaning fluids (I was a little heavy on the bleach in the sink), the exertion of cleaning the floor and most likely another little hint that the (whispers) menopause is on the way. Also, this theory has the added benefit that I would be able to avoid any future cleaning duties. Which, obviously, is very, very sad but a necessary evil if one wants to avoid drowning in a bucket of floor cleaning solution.
So Thursday comes and I decide to play tennis in my usual manner which is basically to hit the ball as hard as I can. Because that’s the way I am. None of those silly drop shops. Those are for women over 50 who can’t run and who don’t have a constitution of an ox. So, needless to say, I did my back in again and have spent 3 days in a lot of discomfort and 4 nights in even more discomfort. I have seen a sports physio and have had all these weird, rather too intimate manipulations done and he clicked some stuff back into place and now I am just stiff, stiff, stiff.
So other than aches and pains all is well. I am also working on a new novel which is called The Changing Room. It’s a comedy-drama about life’s ups and downs. I hope I have taken on board all that I’ve learnt over the last five years writing this blog and doing all the other bits of writing I’ve done. Hopefully, this will be the book that makes it into print. Fingers crossed.
Ps – when my back is better I am going to practise drop shots. Damn.
6 responses
Oh dear! Bad backs are truly tough to deal with. Hope you have a scheduled a full doc check up and get well really soon. The plus side–no cleaning for a while, you are resting after all and a perfect excuse for dark chocolate and red wine–all those anti-oxidants might help.
Thanks, Sue:)
I am coping during the day – but the nights – so uncomfortable! It's like being pregnant again – only worse!
Poor you! I hope you get better soon.
Mrs T, when they say 'keep moving or you will seize up', they mean 'move slowly'! Me, I already swim so slowly that I can almost see the point of tight-fitting swim hats with plastic flowers on. Should I be worried?
Plastic hats with flowers on, Mrs B?
Be afraid, be very afraid!
I can sympathise. I was immobilised for six weeks when I slipped a disc whilst chopping a carrot. Who says they're good for you?
Anna May x
Oh sorry for late reply, Anna:) I am a bit besieged at the moment and it slipped my mind. I've never suffered from back problems before so this was a first – aside from the pain I really hated being immobile – certainly a good incentive to lose weight! I am intrigued to discover how you slipped a disc chopping a carrot – there must be more to it: I look forward to hearing one of your amusing stories in due course!!