Body 09 Mar 2009 03:24 pm
everybody’s got something to prove except me and my marble
If you’ve been following my facebook or livejournal entries, you’ve heard the news: I have a lumbar disc hernia the size of a small marble. I’m under treatment from a good physiatrist, and I hope to avoid surgery. I’ve cancelled plans for the next several weeks. We’ll just have to see how it goes.
That I could walk at all with that thing in my back was miraculous, with a healthy side order of “What the hell was I thinking?” Okay, so I guess I proved I was tough. Once again my strength of will outstripped my common sense by a significant margin. Note to self: strength of will is supposed to be in service to common sense.
I’m still screwed in terms of getting anything done. My first cortisone injection took out most of the pins-and-needles and about half the pain. With the help of tramadol and vicodin, this means I can do exciting things like sleeping and turning over in bed without biting back a scream. I can get to the bathroom without it being a big dramatic ordeal. And I have much of my brain back; before that shot, the pain was bad enough that I was actually more clear-headed on vicodin than off.
Sitting for more than a couple of minutes and (especially) standing for more than a few seconds, though, are things I still very much prefer to avoid.
I didn’t update here before because I couldn’t remember my wordpress password. It was written down in a little book that was across the bedroom; it might as well have been in Iceland for all I was going to get to it. Normally I’d just use my desktop machine with its autofill, but right now, no.
I have a snazzy laptop to use here in bed, but typing is a little tricky given the positions that are currently comfortable. So I owe some email, and what I’ve sent has tended to be terse. I can read just fine, but writing is harder. This post is taking me a while.
Some notes on the experience:
- I mentioned using a wheelchair to someone who reacted with a certain degree of shock. That shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did, a little: wheelchairs totally look like instruments of liberation right now. Want. Even though sitting is not all that comfortable, WANT. (Also want a pirate hat and a sword, yarr.) I’ll probably rent one; if sitting gets easier, I’ll definitely rent one.
- I cannot make my own coffee right now. Arrrgh. Fortunately, it does come in expensive little cans — the Starbucks “Doubleshot”.
- At my request, Josh made me a Google form that helps me track my medications. Very handy. I should have used timestamping like this ages ago. No more, “I took that last one at noon, right? Oh hell, I’ll wait another hour just in case.”
- After spending a lot of time reading in a supine position, I have a new preference for paperbacks. When you drop them on your head, they don’t leave marks.
- I miss my chickens.
- I really like hearing from friends. Thank you, friends!
Anyone read any good young adult novels lately? That’s about my speed right now. Good, kind of dumb movies or TV shows that I might find on Hulu? Boredom hasn’t really set in yet, but it will, it will.
on 09 Mar 2009 at 4:28 pm 1.Ted said …
Daniel Pinkwater – several, in particular “Alan Mendelsohn, the Boy from Mars”
Hulu has Family Guy, which is about as dumb as you can get and still be funny, but may not be your cup of tea. For regular dumb there’s Knight Rider, old and new versions (compare and contrast!). I also recommend books on CD, no potential bonking involved.
on 09 Mar 2009 at 4:48 pm 2.Catherine (tylik) said …
Robin McKinley has put out a two new books in two years, if you’ve missed those…
Hmm… is it CBS that just put up most of their classic geeky TV shows from the eighties online?
on 09 Mar 2009 at 5:07 pm 3.Karlos said …
I just picked up a set of Lloyd Alexander’s Prydain Chronicles (The Black Cauldron, etc.) which you can borrow if you like. Or Moomins, if there’s any you don’t have.
on 09 Mar 2009 at 5:49 pm 4.Aim said …
I’ve been following elsewhere, but this is the first time I’ve seen it all in a condensed form, rather than bits and pieces.
You’ve got a ton on your plate. Having just been through the battle for my life, I have a few thoughts that you can take or leave.
1- Wheelchair. I have a push chair, which is probably your speed anyway since I doubt you’ll be self-propelling much for awhile yet. You are WELCOME to it and we will even deliver since I know you guys are car-free.
2- The new SBux VIA instant coffee is actually fairly tasty. It dissolves freely in both hot and cold liquids, so if you’ve got a little water and some soy milk within reach, it might be useful. I am happy to help out with that too (or just cold brewed coffee and a mini fridge if you can swing borrowing one from someone)
3- BedBath&Beyond (alternately, the foam place in Ravenna) sells a bed wedge that is long and gradual enough of a rise that you MAY be able to get away with leaning on it. It will raise your head about 4″.
Some things I learned when I slipped L4L5 and L5S1:
Lying on your back hurts, as does everything else. But lying on your back with your legs elevated and bent at a right angle resting on something (think sitting in a straight backed chair, lying on your back) may offer a lot of relief.
The very best Physical Therapist for spine issues in the country is here in the PNW. his name is Mark Looper and he’s based in Kirkland/Totem Lake. He’s amazing, and he’s the one who teaches all the other PT’s how to deal with spines. He worked magic on me. If you want to see him let me know and I may be able to help you get in. I’ve got a connection through my mom.
I have a few DVDs and such you’re welcome to borrow. Even better we have an entire library of books on almost any topic you like. When I was sick this fall I re-read all of the Anne of Green Gables series and a bunch of others of that sort. Just enough to keep my attention but not an unfamiliar story where I miss huge chunks if my mind wandered from the medications.
My community really rallied around me and lots of people brought me DVDs and such to keep me occupied. I’m happy to pay that forward if I can. Just let me know what you need, and I will see what I can do.
on 09 Mar 2009 at 5:51 pm 5.Aim said …
Your spam filter picked up my previous comment. Check it when you get a chance
on 09 Mar 2009 at 10:11 pm 6.Siderea said …
Oh my goodness! I’m glad to hear you’re getting treated and hope you’re better soon.
Are you familiar with Whatever: An American Odyssey in Eight Acts? It’s a radio drama. Each act is about an hour long (i.e. 8 or so hours total). It’s wonderful. It’s got a hundred characters. It’s all done by one woman.
on 10 Mar 2009 at 6:18 am 7.Ms. Danson said …
Wow. That sounds awful. I hope your recovery will be a smooth one.
Books, etc.
Have you read Diane Duane (So you want to be a wizard)? She has quite a few books for young adults. Tanya Huff also has some easy reading fantasy (Summon the Keeper) in addition to her heavier stuff.
I’ll second Lucy Maud Montgomery too. She has quite a few books (and short stories) and most of them are out from under copyright so you should be able to find them on Project Gutenburg.
http://www.gutenberg.org/browse/authors/m
http://www.gutenberg.net.au/ebooks02/0200951.txt
Also, have you heard of http://librivox.org/ ? Free podcasts are available via iTunes as well.
Take care.
on 10 Mar 2009 at 10:38 am 8.Ian said …
I just wanted to comment regarding the wheelchair: when I messed up my hip in January, I too looked upon a wheelchair as a means to freedom. I was walking considerably slower than an arthritic basket case, and when I did finally get myself into one at the MRI place, it was a joy to move faster than a zombie shuffle. Ignore the doubters.
I hope you get over this quickly, it sounds completely unfun.
on 10 Mar 2009 at 11:32 am 9.naomi said …
Watch all the videos here:
http://thru-you.com/#/videos/
Delicious songs made from found music.
on 12 Mar 2009 at 6:09 pm 10.Bink said …
I recently read Neil Gaiman’s “The Graveyard Book”, which is a young adult Gaiman ghost story. Loved it.
I am very sorry to hear about your back, and I wish you the speediest of recoveries!