Hoping for the Best

The pain in my back was not much better today, and so after researching my options and consulting my insurance app, I made the first available appointment I could find with a chiropractor, which will be Monday morning. As a generally low-maintenance person (medically speaking) I just wasn't sure what warrants immediate intervention or even who to check with, but the fact that I am mostly functional despite episodes of intense pain, made me think that I could wait the weekend to get an expert opinion. 

The practitioner I chose is nearby and within my insurance network; her practice seems small, but well-rated, and I was asked to schedule the appointment online, which I did. A few hours later I got a personal and  responsive reply; it was clear they had considered the information I had submitted, and their questions were relevant. They also sent me a link to the intake paperwork, which I could also conveniently complete online. 

The questions were not hard, but they did require some thought in order to accurately describe the ailment I was experiencing. They were also redundant. 

Among them was How has this condition affected your daily living? 

I experience pain getting up, bending over, twisting, I answered. I can't exercise and it's hard to put my shoes on.

What specific activities does this problem prevent you from doing that you would like to do again? was the next question.

Uhhhhh... I considered. All of them?

Unexpected Twist

My back was feeling a little tight yesterday on the pickleball court, but a little stretching and the pain was gone. And I thought nothing of that experience this morning as I pulled weeds in the garden for an hour or so. Until the pain returned with a vengeance. 

I could walk, but I could not bend down again, and my lower left back really, really hurt. I had considered walking up there, but since I also had to go the bathroom pretty bad, I considered a win when I got the three lawn and leaf bags I'd filled out to the curb, and made my way to the car. Even so, just twisting to get in and out of the driver's seat was pretty painful. 

Back at home, I took an NSAID and looked for a heating pad. I found one by Heidi's side of the bed; unopened, the oversized device was weighted with heat and massage. And, I think it's helping? The heat and massage and some stretching feel pretty good, and although getting up from sitting seems to be bad, very bad, walking around isn't painful at all. 

A little research suggests sciatica, which I've never had before, and can have many causes. Those who know me know my next course of action: wait and see how I feel tomorrow. 

Acclimate

April has begun with record setting temps in the high 80s yesterday and today, and to be truthful the weather has been mostly pleasant. But still? Going from turtlenecks to tank tops in less than a week is a bit disconcerting. 

Not to worry, though-- it will be back in the 30s on Sunday.

Proof of Life

"Will you send me pictures of you and Lucy and the cats every day?" Heidi asked yesterday as she was preparing for her trip to see college friends in Florida.

"Yes," I agreed, but I might have forgotten, if not for the walk I took this afternoon. I had already been to the gym, but the warm, sunny weather beckoned Lucy and me. I tried to think of a place we hadn't walked in a while, and a spot a little farther out on the bike trail than we usually go occured to me. I loaded Lucy in the car and drove the couple miles to a parking lot by the rose garden. From there we headed west along Four Mile Run and through several parks. 

We had just made it to the intersection of a couple of trails when I heard someone call my name. It was a friend from work, but not one who lives in our town, so my surprise to see him was a bit disorienting. We spent a few minutes catching up, and then I said, "Heidi won't believe I ran into you! We better get a picture so I can send it." And we did just that. And Lucy was in it, too. 

Day one? Duty, done!

To Be Done

I spent this Monday of spring break baking bread and cookies for Heidi to take to Florida, paying bills, doing our taxes, and scheduling the payments for what we owe to both federal and state revenue services. The weather was beautiful, and when I was done we went to run errands for Heidi's trip, windows down all the way. 

I might feel a bit let down by all the things I had to do today, or I might be grateful that I had the time and resources to get them done. There's no shortage of to-dos around here, so I think I'll take the second option and see what else I can accomplish this week.

A Break in Spring

Probably one of the best things about spring break is Sunday night-- knowing that we can turn off our alarms for the coming week is just kind of wonderful.

Have a good one, y'all!

Prescient

I dreamed of rutabagas last night. 

Right before I woke up, I was having an anxiety dream about proctoring a large group of sixth graders for some unknown test and accidentally holding them past their lunch time. There was quite a bit of perturbation as I worked to resolve the confusion with the help of a friend and former school counselor, who is now retired. At some point, I walked into the classroom and past a huge bin of rutabagas. "Those are going to be trouble," someone said.

As is often the case, I forgot all about the dream, and remembered it only when I went to the grocery store this morning and noticed the display of, what else? Rutabagas. Drawn to the vegetables so recently labeled a threat, I selected a large firm one, and added it to my cart.

And now I know what the dream meant: You will have yellow turnips for dinner.