A very frustrated parish priest writes this from his new makeshift bed on the living room floor! For a couple of weeks I have suffered with mild pain and twinges in my lower back (doubtless a rugby injury) and thought it was improving, but yesterday it went altogether in dramaic fashion and has left me unable to stand or even walk. The twenty minute journey, on hands and knees, from car to house was an epic and painful trial which I never want repeating…it certainly opened my eyes to the challenges faced by the disabled daily.
As ever calamity comes at the worst possible time, Hayley loses much needed support and the parish diary is full and hectic. Worst of all I am not even ill, just totally incapacitated and in hideous pain if I attempt to move. Apparently my back is ‘in spasm’ and little can be ascertained until it calms down. Hopefully it is only muscular and will heal quickly, the alternative is slipped disc. Prayers please for a speedy recovery. On the plus side I am very taken with the diazapam and co-codomal cocktail which certainly takes the edge off……
UPDATE Oh dear! Slipped disc it most certainly is- L2 to be precise. MRI scan is booked and a long road to full recovery ahead. Anthing from 6 weeks to a year said the Doc….I am going for 2 weeks maximum, but it may be ‘go slow; for a while. Parishioners please note- no Mass tomorrow or Saturday. All other services will be communion from the reserved sacrament which our pastoral assistant Michael will officate at. Finally my thanks to Father Derek who went to Brenda Padgem this afternoon, do pray for her, she has just been diagnosed with cancer and unfortunately is unlikely to leave hospital.
Bad luck Ed.
Been there – done that.
You will learn that ALL the smallest extremities of your body are somehow wired through that part of your back, and should you attempt ANY movement searing pains will occur. Fun eh! Horizontal rest and time is the only cure [two months for me!]. I have lovely memories of flying around the room – great stuff that diazapan!…(if you have any spare……….)
I sympathise with you. I trust you have ice and a slice with your”cocktail”
I don’t know. You spend your life serving the the invisible man in the sky, and how does he repay you?
My genuine sympathies though; your pain sounds horrendous.
So sorry to hear this. Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Genuine sympathy, a friend has been through this twice in recent years it is not pleasant.
Prayers with you both, hope you recover soon.
Much sympathy Ed, though more to Hayley! Get well soon.
You have my sympathies. I too have had long spells on my back as a result of sporting excesses. Not sure whether this is one an osteopath can help with – but if it is, get there soonest; the drugs are no substitute.
Deepest sympathy…. scotch on the rocks applied internally is the best cure known to medical science; or at least, it is what a Medics take. God bless. +E
I’ve spent too much time under the surgeon’s knife due to rugby – God speed.
I had a similar experience of ‘spasm’ a few years ago although fortunately without the slipped disc – the result of not warming up properly and not wearing enough clothing before going out on the river. I was in bed for a while and got absolutely no sympathy.
I know how painful it can be, but perhaps it is a time which you can put to other use – catching up on reading and giving us more of your reflections on life, the universe and everything else. I thought your piece today on the forthcoming general election was excellent.
The other thing is to get people to pray over your back – jury is out for me about major healing – God heals what He will heal and some people do appear to be particularly called in this direction, but I really don’t have enough personal experience to say more – but prayer is certainly ideal for things like muscular spasm which is about tension and inflammation, and in this context has worked for me.
I will pray for you. God bless.
PM