It’s not a flare up
10 Sep
Last night David started having intense pain in his lower back. It was a really rough night for both of us. We got up this morning, and I got him into the bathtub to soak. I called Dr. Fan’s office and they said they had an appointment available in one hour.
Now, I was still in my pajamas, we hadn’t had breakfast, and it takes 30 minutes to get to the doctor. Oh, yeah, and I was going to have to get David out of the tub and dress him.
A friend saw my Facebook status -
Ashley wants a one story house and more sleep. Dr. Fan will see David from 10-10:30. I have no idea how I’m going to get David down the stairs or even in the car. Please pray for us.
- and said we should call the nurse and tell her to send a wheel chair down for David. This was so helpful. It really saved my neck.
We were ten minutes late to the doctor, but I was just glad we made it. Dr. Fan asked lots and lots of questions. He examined David’s back and poked around. He said it’s not a flare up. David’s pulled or twisted a ligament last night while he was swimming. His exact words were, “Most men your age have back muscles that prevent this, but you have the body of a sixty year old.”
He gave David a cortisone shot, which may cause a psoriasis flare, and muscle relaxers to stop the back spasms and pain patches. Pain patches are such a great invention. They are patches you put on your skin where ever it hurts, and the pain medicine is absorbed through the skin.
I asked what we should do and how we could prevent this from happening. Dr. Fan said that David should rest for a few days and then resume his normal activities. He said there’s really no way to prevent it from happening again, and in fact, David MUST continue exercising.
Great. Exercise is already painful while David is doing it, and now he runs the risk of pulling a ligament.
Dr. Fan spent a lot of time explaining why this wasn’t arthritis. He said that if it was an arthritis flare up, the pain would not have been so sudden. The pain would have started gradually. It would also be in more than one place. Maybe David’s whole back instead of just one side of his lower back. We really appreciated him taking the time to educate us, and that fact that he told us to come in any time David’s in pain. Even if we think it’s not arthritis.
I am so tired. I need to clean the house, do laundry and fill out the forms for the handicap permit. I just want to veg in front of the TV. I have to go find a straw for David so he doesn’t have to sit up to drink and take his meds. Somebody hand me another Diet Coke!
Prayers are being said, it’s the only way I can help. I love you, guys.
Wow. I’m praying for you two.
I’m so sorry, Ashley. You need to rest too, you know. YOur house isn’t going to fall apart if you rest for a day or two and take care of your hubby. Doug is always doing something too…and I keep telling him he needs to take care of himself. Jacob and I depend a lot on him, and David depends a lot on you. I will pray for a speedy recovery!!
Hang in there, guys.
Thank you all for your prayers. Only a few more weeks until our house is off the market. I might have talked my realtor into canceling our open house on Sunday, Lord willing. If I did, well, then I’m going for a massage!
We are so sorry to hear about this and are praying for you both. We’re glad however that you were able to see your doctor and that most importantly, he was helpful. Personally, I’m very excited to hear that the he didn’t just blame it on the arthritis and send you on your way. It sounds like you might have really found a keeper! I know this was two days ago but know that we are praying for you both, even on the days when you both feel better.