Update From The Kvetch

I just sent a note to my boss telling her I’m not coming to work tomorrow or Friday. That’s tough for me. I enjoy going to work.

I cancelled a speaking engagement for Saturday. I was the keynote. Ouch! I can’t ever remember cancelling a speech.

If there’s sleep to catch up on, I’ve caught up! I did at least ten hours last night and another two naps during the day today. Maybe the drugs… maybe the boredom. Does it matter?

Sometime mid-afternoon Helaine said “enough” with political talk and news. Sorry Congressman Akin, you’re on our own.

I’m back on steroids. That started late this morning.

If yesterday’s pain was a 10, tonight I’m down to an 8.

I am smarter than I was last week. Anything that might irritate my disks (as it turns out my problem is) is being avoided. I haven’t sat all day. Driving is out of the question.

We have a whirlpool bath which hasn’t seen water in 15 years. I’d use it, but I’d have to sit.

Doppler has been especially nice. When I got into bed Monday and last night she came and cuddled up against me. Usually she’s on Helaine’s side. Dogs know.

This is all very frustrating. I’m used to being in-charge of my life and tonight I surely am not.

23 thoughts on “Update From The Kvetch”

  1. Geoff wow I hope the pain goes away soon.
    I have not experienced that pain and hope
    I never do. Will miss seeing you on tv tonight.

  2. Feel better Geoff, my husband is in the same place you are, and I feel for him everytime. Hurry back, miss seeing you doing the weather…..

  3. I’ve had back surgery twice on the same L5-S1 after extreme back pain…and Sciatic pain. I’ve been good now for several years. If it comes to that.. Dr. Hilary Onyiuke is a great surgeon at UCONN. I would highly recommend him. I did medical transcription and can relate to you not being able to sit down. I was off work for a long time. 🙁 Prayers for healing and recovery for you Geoff! Keep Doppler close by! She’s a sweetie!

  4. So sorry for you! Back/nerve pain is brutal. Hoping the 2nd round of rhoids do the trick. You will be missed. Helaine and Doppler will take good care of you!!

  5. Mine also was L5-S1, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis and retrolothesis (spine was cracked front and back) basically a broken back, herniated disc, bone spurs. A real mess. Long story short had surgery – only option left at that point. So far so good since 2005. So I know what you are going through and I truly sympathize. Once you can start PT things will improve as you will begin to strengthen the muscles you need to support your spine. There is now less invasive surgery for herniated discs also. If that is what is needed the recovery time is minimal compared to invasive. Maybe now is a good time to learn mediation – just a suggestion as I know you are open to new experiences. Take care Geoff.

  6. I’ve been thinking about you since your first “kvetch” and figured you were so quiet because you weren’t feeling well. I hope the pain subsides and you start to feel better soon. You are sure missed on air!

  7. Geoff, I know pain, I have Fibromyalgia and a bulging L4/L5 disk. Its awful. I do hope what they have you on takes away your pain and quickly. Not just so you can go back to work, but so that you can feel good again. Thoughts are with you!

  8. It’s surprising the number of people with back problems like this. I’ve been dealing with it for many years as has Bev. Do what you can, and don’t quit. Swimming is generally low impact and good exercise without stress. Keep track of when you’re due for your pain meds… holding out til you can’t stand it another moment only causes you pain, and will take more meds in the long run than if you took them on the given schedule. Will miss ya on TV, but hopefully you’ll be back soon. Best o’ luck Jill

  9. It’s amazing that you have so many friends here who have had similar problems (me included.) Everyone understands and this should be comforting to you… not physically, but emotionally! And we all have our stories and what we did to get relief. So you are getting plenty of ideas. It boils down to do whatever it is that gives you the least pain. It will improve. We miss you, but getting better is all that matters.

  10. another lesson learned , I just wrote a paragraph up top and didn’t COPY before submitting and was sent down at the bottom for ”required’ info and lost my text… Just take time off and take care Bro’

  11. Hope it [Sciatica] doesn’t cause ”Lumbar Spasms” had that for yrs. A specialist looked at my MRI 3 yrs. later and couldn’t believe that I ever walked back then. I think it was a crushed L7 disk that I nursed back to life but I never RAN or Walked the same again. Thank God it isn’t a desease but stupid injories. same with my recent Cervical Stenosis [Laminectomy last yr for C3-T1] BTW: when I had my Hernia Operation and had 2 weeks of sick time, I paniced about work and went back a week to early. Take your time Bro’ Get well. [But tell me if Isaac is comin’ to Nawlins’ ! ;-}

  12. see that they got another meterologist to replace you sat. night in boxboro, guess there sticking with that theme, have to see if hes a ham also

  13. Geoff, I’m so sorry to hear of all your pain. I really feel for you. I don’t know how long this episode of yours has been going on but in my experience with bad sciatic pain, it usually takes about 2 months to calm down. Keeping my fingers crossed for you…………

  14. I think you just unknowingly hit the Mother Lode…”Being in control of your life.” There is a link between emotional issues and back issues. I know…I know…something most men do not like to acknowledge – emotions. I recommend a good read – and it really is – Bill Moyers “Healing and the Mind” Might “blow” yours. It contains interviews with leading Giants in the field. This is not Voodoo stuff – One chapter is an interview with Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., founder and director of the Stress Reduction Clinic at the University of Mass. Medical Ctr and Associate Professor of medicine in the Division of Preventative and Behavioral Medicine at the University of Mass. Medical School. All M.D.’s, & Ph.D.’s from various Hospitals and Universities. But it actually is an interesting read and something you can consider reporting on when you are up to it. Discs do heal. Take the time to listen to what your body is telling you. With whom are you angry???? ; )

  15. Having had only one disk herniate (I coughed while bending over) I can related to the level of pain you must be experiencing. I healed mine with a combination of chiropractic visits and at home therapy exercises and being very careful of what I did physically and how I did it – but it took quite a while. I did not take drugs for pain. I hope you are able to recover quickly, and that the extreme pain goes away even sooner.

  16. I just wrapped up months of physical therapy for a back problem. Fingers crossed that it’s over now, as I had to go back for a second round of therapy when it flared up again. It’s an awful feeling, not being able to do the simplest things… and you feel like the pain will never go away. I agree with Jill, swimming helps. It gets better, hang in there and feel better!

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