Back To Back - Part 4

So continuing with this journey, Monday, January 20th was one of the worst pain days ever. Thankfully, it was MLK Jr. Day, and we did not have school. I had already missed some school days due to back pain, but this one was a freebie.

I was not looking forward to going back to school on Tuesday; however, inclement weather was on my side, and school was cancelled for the day.

So, for the next few weeks, my days were lather, rinse, and repeat. Go to work, go to treatment, go home, take more pain meds, and go to bed early. That was it. Absolutely nothing more. Every time I went to the office for treatment, the techs would ask me about my pain level. Steady, predictable, and without missing a beat, mine was staying at 9. Night and day, I was at a 9.

Within these few weeks, I learned how to walk as little as possible, and Walmart home delivery became my saving grace. This was certainly not living, and this was no life that I wanted any part of. If you have ever been or are still experiencing debilitating pain, you completely understand what I'm saying.

Oddly enough, the two things that were better than any narcotic that I was taking were time and treatment. Let time and the treatment do their thing, I kept saying to myself.

Then, without even realizing it, on February 5th, I was working at school as usual, and I noticed that halfway through the morning, I hadn't taken a pain pill yet. I really didn't feel that I needed to take one. Then I measured my pain, and it certainly was not a 9.

That afternoon, I went to the office for treatment, and the tech asked what my pain level was, and I hesitated for several seconds. She asked me again what my pain level was, and I said 5. The tech rejoiced with me as this was significant progress. I had to think back to what a 9 and 10 felt like, and today, there was no more 9 pain level.

For the next several treatment sessions, my pain level would gradually go down and up a little bit, but during this time, my pain level was bouncing between 3, 4, 5, and 6.

On February 11th, I felt like I could tackle making supper for myself. I went to the store by myself and then cooked dinner all by myself. I had not fixed a meal since the end of December. I felt like this was an amazing accomplishment.

On March 24th, I proudly walked into the doctor's office and when the technician asked what my pain level was, I said a big fat zero. Needless to say, they were all rejoicing.

You will never ever have any better cheerleaders than this group of ladies at the office.

I am so glad to say that I have been at a zero pain level ever since.

For the next blog entry, I will be sharing what I have been able to do since having spinal decompression treatment. Stay tuned!