Spine, Ribs & Knee-Oh My!

The month of January was like a big storm that just wouldn't pass.

Early in the month, I fell off a chair with no back, flat on my spine onto the concrete, taking my entire weight straight onto the spine, and posterior ribs.  I didn't feel anything from it until the 2nd morning.  And Oh My God it wasn't good when I did wake and feel that fall.

Between many other things going on in life; I wasn't able to get an Xray, and I kept on doing way more than I should have.

After a couple of weeks, I was still hurting in the spine and posterior ribs.  One thing about Chronic Pain that I find extremely interesting, is that those of us with constant pain tend to not seek treatment as fast as we should, mainly because we are so used to pain, and don't run to the doctor every time we hurt.

But this was different pain.  ACUTE pain, not related to the other spinal issues that cause pain, but exacerbated the 'normal pain' many times over.  

Near the end of the month, I was getting up from the floor, trying to carefully pull myself up by using a chair, put all my weight onto my right leg, and was stepping up; when...POP!!  The sound was horrible, loud, and deep in my knee.  The same knee that was injured severely in the rollover accident in 1976, the same knee that needed a huge surgery (4 in 1 Patellaplasty)  in my senior year, the same knee that needed surgery again in 2002.

When I was seen at the ER, the Dr. braced the knee, and told me to use crutches.  There were no breaks, the knee had severe swelling, and an unknown injury that requires an MRI, and an Orthopedist.  Gone are the days of going to the ER and getting what needs to be done to diagnose an injury, as in an MRI.  If something is a non-life-threatening emergency, but still needs immediate attention; then get used to waiting for any type of medical care.

So, picture a person who suffers from Chronic Pain in the spine, falling hard onto said spine, possibly cracking vertebrae, and further herniating the 12 Thoracic levels already herniated, most likely breaking ribs, and right on that injuries tail, dealing with another acute injury causing acute pain, and to top it off, on crutches.  Not a good situation for me.

I am waiting for the authorization to go through for the MRI, and to see an Ortho.  In the meantime, the same 'old' spine pain must be addressed; there is no rest for the injured, the hurting.  And add acute pain on top of chronic pain, and you get a very messed up body.

As usual, I try to stay as positive as possible, and I am thankful for those in my life that truly care, who are there when the chips are down.

I am writing the next post that is about the URGENT NEED FOR EDUCATION regarding Chronic Pain.

The ever-judging, always-right, extremely close-minded and still uneducated idiots never cease to amaze me....I am amazed at the positive way I am able to think without allowing those jerks to get to me.  It still makes me sad, for I know that I am not alone in my journey of pain, and the resulting ridicule, judgmental attitudes, etc., will continue to exist; my empathy is with you all who also deal with this very unnecessary part of our life in pain.
 

Gentle Hugs.... and Stay strong ~just for today~