I am a sufferer of chronic back pain. I also have sciatica (pain running down my lower back and down my legs; it feels as if someone is pouring hot oil down the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body; at times the pain is intense), and I also have degenerative arthritis affecting the joints in my back, hips, legs (knees; I have bad knees), and feet. Because of the pain I experience I walk with the aid of forearm crutches, and if I have to go to a place like Wal*Mart or to the mall, I use a scooter or a wheelchair.
I hurt twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. There is really no relief I can get from this pain except to take pain-killing drugs if the pain gets to be too much for me to handle. Don't tell me to have back surgery because I HAVE had back surgery (twice, as a matter of fact), and it really didn't do much good. So I have had to learn to live with it (the pain) and go onto disability (although, since I now work at Wal*Mart, my disability pay has been cut in half). Before I was hired by Wal*Mart, I spent my days either looking for work, or I spent the day with my kids while my wife went to HER job (she is a registered nurse). Now I work five days a week, and I work as a greeter. I am the one who greets customers when they come into the store; and I love my job very much. In a few weeks will mark my 2-year anniversary at Wal*Mart.
Before I blew out my knees playing high school football, I was your basic active, all-around athlete. I played all sports: basketball, baseball, golf, football. You name it: I was there, right in the middle of all the action. But then came the knee injury that ended my athletic career, and I was religated to the bench the rest of my senior year.
For a while, I was doing great after I had knee surgery (I was even clog-dancing for a while; and I enjoyed that!), but then, about three years ago, I fell, and I injured my back; and it's been a steady downhill slide ever since. Let's face it: I may be in my 30's now, but I have the knees and body of a 70-year-old man, my doctors tell me. And my back lets me know that fact, each and every day!
Mornings are the worst time for me. I have to have a hot soaking bath every moring, just so I can unstiffen my joints and get my back to settle down a bit; and then I rub ointment on it and rest while I read the paper and catch up on the news; and help my wife with the kids. It's then goodbye kisses as my wife and kids leave for work or school, and then I watch CNN until I go to work at ten (I leave the house at 9:30). It just takes me five minutes to get to work if I drive.
Having back pain IS a tough business because I've often heard people say that, if your back hurts, then you hurt all over; and I guess that is true ; because in MY case, that IS certainly the case! I have not only back pain or sciatic pain to contend with; but I also have osteoarthritis, and I hurt ALL OVER!
(((karen))) i know that monster well...back pain is a horror. but this story is not...although it made my back cringe...OW, pain lines! great write! (((HUGS))) and love, karla. :)
Ouch back pain is one of the worst kindd of pains you portrayed a man who suffers from it well! Keep up the great writing and God Bless you Your friend ~Michelle~
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