So it’s like this: one Sunday, I got up and my back was a little creaky. It’s always given me trouble–when I was 16, I managed to fall off a house I was roofing, and it’s been a bit weird ever since. So much for working with my hands. Anyway, by midday Monday, I realized something was a little more wrong than expected; I couldn’t sit through the day. I went to my doctor on Tuesday, figuring it’d be, oh yeah, it’s out of alignment, crunch, here’s a couple prescriptions and remember to bend your knees. The usual drill every three to five years.
Well, no. This time he gave me that grave look that I think they have doctors practice in mirrors at medical school (in a big room resembling a dance studio): you have a bulging disk. (I checked the impulse to reply “Or are you just happy to see me” because the interior voice was going “uh-oh.”) Not the end of the world, very common, but it’s taking longer to get over than usual, and I’m spending a good part of my off-work time horizontal in this narcotized cocoon. Which sounds great at first, but, after awhile, you find yourself repeating Major Tom’s mantra in “Ashes to Ashes”: want to come down right now! Plus it’s kind of thrown a curve into my many nefarious plans–being a photographer, playwright, theatregoer, gardener, and, of late, guitar slinger. (I definitely need to branch out more, no?)
So, to my theatre friends: sorry I’ve been missing your shows. I’d like to go, but I seem to be having this problem with gravity.
S
October 12th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Dang! my sympathies, Steve. Chronic illness can be very discouraging, as well I know. No doubt Deb is taking excellent care of you, but if you need me to ferry anything over, please don’t hesitate to let me know.
October 12th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Thanks, Mead. I’m doing okay. It’s just slowing me down more than anything else. If nothing else, it reminds me of how busy I keep myself, trying to keep the projects going in addition to regular life. (Though I’m not sure which is the regular part.) I’m just going to have to pace myself a bit, which is probably good for me in the long run.
October 13th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
Oh man, Steve, that sucks. As you know, Trish and I are somewhat versed in the ways of back issues… must have happened after I bumped into you at Fred Meyer’s on Saturday, eh? Well, like you say… it’s a good reminder to pace yourself. Time to catch up on that reading, huh?
October 13th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
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October 13th, 2008 at 2:49 pm
Happened actually well before Saturday–when we met, I was just floating in a narcotized haze. (Hmm. That’s Harold…isn’t it?) Thanks for the well wishes.S
October 14th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Steve – that sucks so hard. I grew up watching my mother struggle with the same issue – so frustrating and so little to do but wait for healing. I hope you can manage to keep your awesome, dry sense of humor through it! – Here’s to a quick recovery.
October 14th, 2008 at 5:38 pm
Thanks, Matt. The sense of humor helps and is good for keeping perspective. I was feeding the dog this morning, carefully bending my knees so I could keep my back straight (as instructed), and as I set the bowl down, I thought: Christ, be a great time for my knees to go out.S