07.28.08
Back Pain and its Effect on My Productivity
Friday, the day my kids were to come home from summer camp for the weekend, I lifted a carton containing 12 bottles of club soda and injured my back. I’ve always suffered from on and off back pain but I knew this time I really pulled some muscles pretty badly.
It is now Monday and I am still in excruciating pain despite 2 trips to a massage therapist, frequent baths, ice and lots of hydrocodone, ibuprofen and muscle relaxers. So I thought I would write about all of my lost productivity since Friday, with the hopes of putting life into perspective as well as teaching myself a lesson that with 3 strong young boys in the house there is no need for me to be lifting heavy boxes!!!
Cooking - well that went out right along side my back. I know what you’re thinking and yes, my husband can cook but his pasta has dual use as plaster filler for holes in the walls. My kids have actually called me in the office begging me to not allow him to cook….ever. So, delivery it was for 3 days which cost a lot of money.
Driving - Nope, couldn’t do that either. Between the cocktail of meds I recklessly put in my body, overall discomfort and lack of quick reflexes I thought it best for my entire community that I stay off the roads. So 3 kids, one driver (that would be my husband, the cook) and lots of plans that had to be revised, adjusted and so on.
Work - not too productive here either. I typically check emails, blog and tie up open items during my limited alone time over the weekend. That didn’t happen either. First, I found it incredibly uncomfortable to sit in one position for more than a minute and second, it was a little hard to focus on anything but sleep due to the pain meds.
Fun - Was looking forward to some fun time with the kids at the pool this weekend since they go back to camp on Mondays. The fun consisted of me saying “come sit down next to Mom so we can talk.” Now that’s just the fun my 3 rambunctious boys were craving rght? Especially my 14 year old. Sure mom, there’s nothing I would rather do than sit with you in bed while you are going in and out of a coma.
Well it’s Monday and I couldn’t make it to the office which really made me very angry. I’m not the type of person that can sit still, I don’t like asking for help and I certainly don’t feel sorry for myself. But I actually slept half the day (all the meds caught up with me) and ended it on a relatively good note. I’m feeling just a spec better and I had a very productive conference call. The kicker is…I was soaking in the tub during the entire call and no one knew it (except for now I guess)! Thank goodness I didn’t have a web cam — the things you do to get by. And now I have been able to sit still long enough to write this post. It’s the little things in life that I need to stop and appreciate. Any one else have any similar stories to share?