Back Again

I'm having something  of a back episode again, much like the ones so many years ago, when the kiddos were in kindergarten.  It started innocently enough, with my standing up to fetch something and feeling a pop and shooting pain in my back.  I couldn't finish standing up and so sat back down.  Oh, it hurt.  I'd say about an 8 on the famous numerical pain scale.

Here, more than 24 hours later--after rest, ice, muscle relaxers, painkillers, my brace, small walks around, and a trip to my specialist--I'm down to a 5 or 6 (sometimes even lower, depending) when I'm moving, which I can do mostly unassisted once I'm up.  This is wonderful progress, owed in part to our adjustable bed, which helps me up and down; so much easier than last time.  And after years of mindfulness practice, I didn't go straight to fear and panic, and was even able to just think "ok, that's pain," and let it go.  Now that's definitely progress.

The kids are taking it all in stride, pretty nervous when it happened right in front of them and I cried out, but now better since I've explained that it's not dangerous, only painful; they're also somewhat annoyed at fetching, which is fine.  They've seen us through two surgeries and other complications, so they know this happens.  And at least my lessons in how to handle pain and obstacles are getting better.

So, I'm optimistic that things will be much, much better in a few days.  I did have to cancel hospice and such this week, but I know it could be worse.