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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, November 4, 2011

A trip to the E.R.

Yesterday, I thought my back was doing a little better, but I spent an absolutely miserable painful night last night.  When I got up this morning things were the worst they have been.  I got Emma put out on her lead, but that was about all I could accomplish.  I would have asked one of the other volunteers for help, but I couldn’t walk as far as their rigs, and the temperature was 32*, so no one was outside.  It turned out that Colin had left early to do some bird watching anyway.  We were going to exchange phone numbers, but hadn’t gotten around to it yet.

In the meantime I got on the computer long enough to Google urgent care, Anahuac TX.  The closest place was Bayside Community Hospital in Anahuac.  I couldn’t even sit to read blogs this morning!  Eventually, Colin returned and I flagged him down to ask if he would take me to the E.R.  Of course, he said yes.  I had planned a farewell dinner for Colin for this evening, and had to get the corned beef cooking before we left.  I know that sounds crazy, but I just had to do it.  He drove me up to the community building so I could get the meat in the crockpot, and then we headed for the hospital.

_MG_3898

As we drove the 20 something miles, Colin kept up a good chatter to help me keep my mind off of the constant searing pain.  We talked about the unusual arrival of this Harris’ Hawk that I had spotted the other night as we sat outside enjoying the last light and thousands of geese heading into the refuge.  Thanks Colin, that sure helped pass the time.

I had imagined having to wait hours at an E.R. to be seen, but I was ushered right into a room and examined.  It didn’t take them long to diagnose my malady as a pinched sciatic nerve.  I was not surprised, I just wanted some relief!  Soon, the nurse came in with two needles, and said, “drop your drawers.”  As I sprawled over the gurney, she punctured both cheeks of my kiester.  That was another new experience for me.  Surprised smile  One shot was a muscle relaxant, and the other was for pain.  Then, I was instructed to use an ice pack and given exercises to do to help with relief.  I also had two prescriptions filled for the pain and a muscle relaxer.  You can bet I’ll be taking them.  By the time we left, I was felling a bit better.

_MG_3911By the time 4:00 rolled around, I was able to slice up the corned beef and join in on the farewell dinner.  That’s my friend, Colin, on the left.  Barbara and Jim are the other volunteer couple here with me, and Stephanie and her son Eon (sp?) are on the right.  Sorry to say, I was not able to stay for the clean-up of our dinner, but sure appreciate the others taking over.  Stephanie had also found a replacement for me for the VIS tomorrow.  I just need to concentrate on getting better.  Phew!  I was worried about how I was going to be able to work tomorrow.

That’s about all I can stand sitting here tonight, so I’ll have to leave reading blogs for a later date.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

39 comments:

  1. Argh! I missed you yesterday and was worried. Maybe we need to give Murphy a going away party and a one way ticket so he'll get the hint!

    Hope you recover quickly!

    Cyndi & Stumpy @ RVly Ever After

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  2. Ouch, hope you are feeling better soon!

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  3. Judy, hope the meds kick in and your recovery is speedy.

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  4. Take care Judy and get better fast.

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  5. You've got to stop practicing for a role as a Chinese acrobat in the circus and let your back loosen up.

    Double shot, wow, I thought that only booze came in that style. Hope you can get a good nights sleep and relax those muscles.

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  6. OOoh, sciatica is so painful! Glad they gave you the good stuff.

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  7. It's time to take care of YOU -- take you pills, rest & get better soon!

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  8. I am very sorry to hear that you had to go to the ER. Not a pleasant experience. Hope you feel better soon.

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  9. AND......

    DO THE EXERCISES EVERY DAY

    GOOD TO HEAR THAT YOU GOT RELIEF.

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  10. Oh Judy, so sorry to hear about such terrible pain. Any idea how you did this? And how long before it is better. Back problems are just the worst. You certainly are a trooper!

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  11. Thank goodness for good friends to help you out in a "pinch". (pun intended) Hope those meds help you to sleep well and feel better soon!

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  12. take care of yourself Judy!!..hope you feel better soon!

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  13. Sorry about the pain/problem. Hope you get to feeling better super soon.

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  14. So sorry to hear about your back. You take care of yourself and hope you are feeling better very soon.

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  15. Wow hope you get better! Back pain is nothing to sneeze about. Mine is usually helped with some Aleve, but yours sounds really serious.

    Get better!!!!

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  16. I sure hope your luck chances soon. I am almost afraid to look at your blog for fear of what calamity has occurred.

    I am glad they found out what it is. I have to smile about the two shots in the rear area:) But I am sure there was nothing funny about the whole thing.

    Feel better soon!

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  17. Sorry you've been in so much pain, but glad they were able to do something at the ER to help and you could semi-enjoy a nice dinner with friends. Hope you feel better real soon!

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  18. Glad you got to the ER and got meds to relieve the pain. Hope it's all better real soon.

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  19. Sure hoping those meds have kicked in and you get a good night's sleep. Hopefully tomorrow you can get out of bed and walk again. I know Jim's back feels better when he does his exercises.

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  20. I'm so glad that you found someone to take you to the emergency room. Sciatic pain is no fun at all. Glad you got some treatment and medication. I hope you feel better soon!

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  21. Pop the pills and feel better SOON! (Maybe this is due to all those crazy positions you get in to take pics of the birdies...)HEEHEE!
    Oh wait, don't laugh, that could hurt!

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  22. Take care Judy. And be sure to do those exercises they gave you once the pain eases up enough. They really do help... Unfortunately speaking from experience...

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  23. You are fortunate there was someone to take you to the ER, and I hope you recover quickly. Is there no end to our trials?

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  24. Oh my Judy, I wish we could all just wish the pain away for you but since I don't think that's possible, take the drugs, use the ice packs and do the exercises. So glad you are by friends who can help you out.

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  25. Hope that the meds and a few days of taking it easy has you on the mend soon.

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  26. Here's hoping you are BACK to normal soon:))

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  27. I'm glad you were able to get to the ER. I was worried about how you were going to manage taking care of yourself and Emma with a bad back. I never realized how bad that can be until my back went out one day out of the clear blue. Wow...it was painful.

    Don't go back to work too soon. Remember, it's a volunteer job!

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  28. Judy, hoping your back resolves with the medication and exercise. I know it's no fun. Glad you were able to get to the emergency room. Aren't RV people great--you can always count on their kindness. Colin looks and sounds like a wonderful friend.

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  29. Don't worry about doing a blog, take care of yourself! Glad you got some relief from the injections. Hope the pills help too. Take care.

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  30. Anxious to hear how you are today.

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  31. We've had back issues a few times. A chiropractor really helped both of us. Hope the meds help and you're feeling much better soon.

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  32. Ouch! Sciatic nerve pain is a pain in the ... lower back.

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  33. You sure have a wonderful following here. And Colin is sure was great guy.
    But mostly I wish you well soon. That is a very painful thing to have.

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  34. Glad you were able to get a ride to the ER. Hope the meds do the job and you are back on your feet soon!

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  35. Sciatic nerve pain is terrible! So very sorry that you are suffering. I hope you are now on the road to recovery, and that you are able to get back into your routine very soon!

    Kerri in AL :-)
    HomeschoolingSolo.blogspot.com

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  36. They gave you one shot in each side so you'd quit trying to sit. Go to bed, girl!

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  37. Ouch... glad you got some relief. Stay low for a couple of days. I hope and pray you're back to your old self soon!!! Jeez, what next?

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  38. Be religious about the exercises -even after you feel better.

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