June 28, 2008
Last Friday, I went to the hospital with intense leg pain.. I wanted to make sure it wasn't a blood clot (it wasn't, thank God). I had X-rays and an ultrasound done. They also doped me up with Flexeril (muscle relaxant) and Percoset (narcotic pain medication).
I was relieved it wasn't a blood clot, but it still hurt. I was diagnosed as having sciatica. The nurse practitioner suggested that walking would help it, so Saturday morning I went walking. I returned home and got ready to take a shower, then had a full-blown back spasm combined with a massive leg spasm, and I just about made it to the bed. Since then, it's been extremely difficult to walk, and my right leg keeps cramping up, to the point where I can't put my foot flat on the floor (my left leg is totally fine).
Went to the doctor yesterday.. there was a line.. but when I got in there, the pain was so bad from walking the few steps into the office.. I couldn't stand, I couldn't sit.. I finally laid down right on the floor in the waiting room.. only then did I get some relief, and as a bonus they called me in right away.
Doc ordered an MRI, which was supposed to be done on Wednesday, but it has to go through insurance review first to make sure I am not trying to scam the insurance company.. because so many people like to claim they have a back injury so they can go on disability. Sucks for the rest of us who are actually in pain. So that's rescheduled for Friday, along with some nerve test thing at the doctor's office.
Since Saturday evening though, I have been 100% raw.. eating fruit (apples, bananas, peaches) and drinking green smoothies (apple, peach, parsley, water). Today I feel a LOT better. At least I am not crying from the pain like I was on Sunday.
Went to the MRI on Friday.. longer procedure than I thought.. never had one done before. Was told results wouldn't be in until Monday.
Yesterday (Friday), an hour after taking a Percoset, a Flexeril, and 800 mgs. of Ibuprofen, I experienced probably the worst pain I've ever experienced in my life. I asked Annie to take me to the hospital again. This time, I had to wait a while. I was practically crying from the pain (ok, I WAS actually crying from the pain, and also the frustration).. they finally got me a room in "intermediate" emergency, which is a step up from "First Care". Amazingly, as I was on my way to the room, the pain vanished.. it has not come back since.. and I haven't had to take any more pain pills. I praise God for this, as I was praying intensely for relief.
The doctor was somehow able to access the MRI results from earlier that day. Turns out I have two herniated discs (one of them is quite recent.. probably when I was removing heavy stones from my garden last Thursday). Still, it's a result, and it's better than some of the alternatives, like a tumor pressing on the nerve (which we thought could be a possibility since I have a history of cancer in my family).
Now I have to schedule an appointment with an orthopedist, who may recommend surgery (that's a last resort), or steroid injections (don't want those, either).
No pain since last night, but my right calf and part of my foot are numb. I've been reading up on natural anti-inflammatories (pineapple, strawberries, etc). I ate some fried rice last night and two peaches today. Not very hungry.. I should try to eat more.. I've been eating a lot of bananas and drinking lots of water.
Annie and I are doing a vegan 30 day challenge starting on Tuesday, July 1. We are allowed 4 treat days of non-vegan foods, (but only if we want them) so I guess it isn't completely vegan, but it's a good start. Also, one day of the week must be completely raw.
So, I guess I'm allowed to eat complete crap until then.. yet I don't want it. I'm wondering if this would have even happened if I had been vegan all along. Hoping to stabilize and even reverse the situation with lots of good, raw and whole vegan foods, and lots of prayer as well.
My weight is around 220 or so.. but this challenge isn't so much about losing weight as it is about focusing on a healthier lifestyle.
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