The turning point

And then, one day, I was not able to get out of bed. Something was so painful, pushing or pulling at the very bottom of my spine. Trying to stand up was excruciating. I tried to phone the physiotherapist, but she had office hours to stick to. It was 7am in the morning. I could not move, and didn't know what to do. Finally then, I got hold of my GP, who was so kind to come to my house for an injection (in my buttock). That helped slightly. But the pain remained, deep inside my spine. That night, in bed, I was unable to lie on one side of my body. Sitting up straight was less painful, so I tried to sleep in the couch, sitting up straight. It was torture. None of the standard painkillers we have in the house helped. I Googled my questions, and started to read stuff about lower back pain, how it can be prevented, managed and treated. So I put ice packs on my back ... to no avail. I walked short distances ... useless. Every time I would read about surgery, I would cringe. There was no way I would allow anyone to cut open my back.

For 4 days I sat in that couch (visited once by my GP, who gave me another injection in the buttock). Cramped up, thinking about whether I wanted to go and see that surgeon again. Hoping that it would all go away, really. I just needed to relax, I thought. But the pain did not go away. I got completely exhausted. So I did make an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon. Funnily, I was constantly on the edge of sobbing ... sobbing for the slightest emotions. The surgeon explained to me that I was completely exhausted, and cramped up (my back had gone in a spasm). I was admitted to hospital, and was given morphine and a really great hospital bed.