One Year

Today marks one year since I woke up unable to move, sit, or stand, without excruciating pain. It marked the end of what I like to refer to as “my very brief and undistinguished stint as a patio installer.”

(I’m sure the PA I worked with initially — who was perfectly compassionate and businesslike — was mildly amused when he saw me. “Oh, look, another middle-aged lady with back issues.” He didn’t even have to examine me, just took a look at my posture and listened to my situation, and was like, “here’s what we’re going to do…”)

I’m happy to report that after a week of prednisolone (anti-inflammatory) + gabapentin (nerve blocker) + methocarbamol (muscle relaxant), six weeks of rest, 10 weeks of physical therapy and the intervening months of yoga, core workouts, range-of-motion workouts (including splits training!), and walking, I’m (mostly) pain free.

Can I lift anything heavy or awkward?

I cannot.

Can I work for hours on end in the garden?

Nope.

Can I sit for hours on end?

Ummm, no.

But let’s face it, none of us is supposed to sit for hours at a time without a movement break.

(And no, my splits aren’t there… YET. It’s been a long time, and while I’m happy to report that my flexibility is still mostly there and I’m pretty strong… well, it’s been a long time.)

Part of the problem with my injury is hyper mobility in my back, and I still have a bunch of work to do to strengthen my core and improve my stamina. But I know *how* to do that work now without exacerbating it. I can tell when I’m getting too close to something titchy, and to modify the effort. (Do I always do it when I should? No, but I’m learning.)

I can do all of my daily stuff without issue, and almost all of my volunteer stuff. I can lift our very old, small (15lb) dog, with ease, when I need to take her down the stairs or to the vet. I can stand to cook and bake, to present with birds, and to draw in the field. No issues with any of that stuff!

My only ongoing issue is some numbness in my left shin, so there’s still some impingement, but it doesn’t hinder my ability to move at all. It feels funny when I shave my legs, but that’s the only real issue… and how real is that, really? (Minor! So minor!)

I am grateful. For helpful physicians, and helpful medications. For physical therapy, and physical therapists! For yoga apps. For a nice neighborhood to walk around in. For improved self-awareness. But most of all, for healing.