The Absence of Pain

November 2009 was an interesting time for me.  The Princess's diagnosis was fresh in our heads, having been made official during the month of October.  After nine years, my employer and I parted ways...well, rather suddenly.  The very next day, I threw out my back for the first time in my life.  There I was, playing with The Princess, when I felt a twinge.

For nearly two weeks, I couldn't even get out of bed.  I needed a cane to walk, and - come to think of it - "walk" may not even be the right word.  It was more of a hunched, pained shuffle with all of my weight on the cane.

Over time, it's gotten better.  I can stand up straight and walk without assistance.  But it's never been the same.

On and off, there've been comparitively minor injuries, but only one of note.  I have no idea what I did, but for almost a year now, I've had a constant pain starting in my lower back and shooting all the way down my left leg into my ankle.  It's been around so long that we've actually named it: butt-leg-foot.  Whenever it starts bothering me, The Hubbs can tell, and he asks, "Butt-leg-foot?"  Sometimes, I can only grunt in response.

Having recently procured health insurance for the first time since November 2009, I bit the bullet and made an appointment with our family doctor.  I visited her office this week, and she determined that my butt-leg-foot pain is being caused by a pinched nerve.  She gave me a couple of prescriptions that should reduce the inflammation in the muscles around my spine so that it can heal properly.

I was skeptical.  I was certain I'd need a chiropractor, that I had a slipped disc or some other horrible ailment.  I trust my doctor, though, so off to the pharmacy I went.

The very next day, the pain was gone.  I was able to sleep through the night comfortably for the first time in I-can't-tell-you-how-long.  I swung my legs over the side of the bed when I got up the next morning, and I felt nothing.  All day, I remained upright without the previously ever-present pain from my waist down.

I hesitate to say this too loud, but it seems like the prescriptions may be working.  Here's hopin' they do their job and I can stop taking them within a week or so.  Cross your fingers for me!

For now, I think I'll just bask in the glory of the absence of pain.