2 Weeks Since Back Injury

It's been two weeks since I injured my back. I was just standing in my house, not doing anything the least bit strenuous, and all of a sudden *wham* I felt like I'd been struck in the back and nearly fell over.

The remainder of that day was pretty much a loss. I hobbled to bed to lie down and literally could not get up. When I finally did two hours later, to see my doctor, figuring out a way to rise from bed without falling over in pain took 10 minutes. I spent most of the rest of the day seeing my doctor and waiting for an x-ray. After that I didn't feel much for work. The following day was largely a loss, too. I couldn't sit at my desk for more than about 45 minutes without significant pain, even with the muscle relaxant and painkiller prescriptions my doctor provided.

Fortunately I don't always have to sit for my job. I work remotely, so I can lie down for it. With Hawk's help I moved my computer and second monitor to the floor next to my desk. I lay in front of it with a few pillows to prop me up. I've done this before in the past ~10 years when I've had back problems (all of, I think, twice before) and it's worked fine.

(Mostly) Steady Progress

I've been seeing improvement in my condition pretty much day over day. It wasn't obvious at first but by Wednesday last week it was clear. Bits of stretching one normally does without thinking about it, such as bending over to put on socks or pick something off the floor— things that had caused me bolts of pain and weakness for several days— I could do almost normally again.

I pushed it too far with that newfound confidence, though. I was stiff Thursday from overexerting myself Wednesday, a slight setback. But by Friday I was improving again.

Sunday (yesterday) I was feeling even better so I pushed it again. Hawk and I went for a hike in a local park. We hiked over 3 miles. Then I vacuumed 2/3 of the house. I was sore that evening but awoke feeling better this morning.

Taking it Sitting Down

While working from the floor has been okay the past week and a half, I'm getting tired of it. Some things are just easier when sitting at my desk. And I know from the past that if I lay down too long— as in, avoid sitting for too many days— some of my core muscles will contract, making it harder to get back to sitting. So today I've taken my next leap: I've moved my work computer and monitor back up to my desk. I'll see in a few hours if that's a good idea....