So I'm on Spring Break vacation. Woohoo!
If only I hadn't wasted an entire day confined to the couch, I'd be happier. This was not by choice. I had probably the worst stiff neck I've ever had and it just hurt to move.
My day was supposed to be filled with exercise. I know, some of you are rolling your eyes, but that's what I wanted to do and had been doing the days before. I was going to go lift weights, watch movies and have a run later on. Instead, I spent more than 12hrs on the couch, half sitting up and half lying down because that was the only position I could tolerate.
I have no idea what I did. I guess I must have slept in the weirdest position ever. But! I didn't wake up once all night. I slept so well and was completely refreshed when I woke up. I got up, walked around, felt a little pain (but nothing like what it turned into) and took the dog out. I was fine...or so I thought. After taking the dog out, I went back to bed and THAT'S when the pain really hit me.
I couldn't move my neck in any direction. The pain went from the top of my neck, down the right side to the bottom of my shoulder blade. It hurt soooo much. Getting out of bed was a challenge. An even bigger challenge was brushing my teeth! So much pain. I was walking around the house looking like a robot who couldn't lift it's head. My head was fixed in a downward "the floor is my friend" position all day. And that too became uncomfortable, not to mention annoying.
I took some Tylenol and at first refused to give into the "stiff neck - I can't do anything today" pity party. I tried to use my computer, but I couldn't lift my head or extend my arms without shooting pain. So, my online access was limited. I had to sweep the kitchen/family room area. Why? Because my brother's chocolate Labrador, Hershey, has been staying here and she sheds like there's no tomorrow. (How is this dog not bald yet?!) So I start sweeping and I KNOW I shouldn't be doing this. I FEEL I shouldn't be doing this, but I do it anyway. I had to laugh all through the pain to stop me from crying. After that was done, I resigned myself to the couch. It wasn't even noon and I knew I'd spend all day there.
So I gathered my "husband" pillow, my Sudoku book and a book called "Love And Other Impossible Pursuits" by Ayelet Waldman. I propped myself up and back with many cushions to take the pressure of my neck and I stayed there...all day. My sister suggested I take a Celebrex which I refused. Aside from Tylenol, I don't like taking random medication. I'm not a pill popper.
Life on the couch went as follows: turn tv on, turn tv off; do some sudoku; read book; turn tv on, turn tv off; painfully move to answer the phone; take a nap; turn tv on, turn tv off; eat lunch and dinner looking at the floor.....You get the picture. I did try to use my computer a few times, but I was more comfortable on the couch...even though "comfortable" is not a word I'd use to describe my experience yeterday. Sometime in the afternoon I said "F*ck it" and took the pill. I didn't expect it to take the pain away, but atleast make it a degree more bareable. No difference whatsoever.
I ended up just reading my book all afternoon and night. I did of course have to take Hershey out a couple of times. This worried me. She's sort of a spaz and is prone to pulling. I was worried she'd pull me, I'd end up on the grass in pain and she'd happily continue pooping. So I decided to take her the backyard instead of an actual walk. Hershey, thank goodness, was calm.
And I was back on the couch reading! By the time my sister got home I was almost done with the book. It definitely was more interesting than anything on tv. By then it was time to go to bed. I'd had enough of the pain and just wanted to be slumberous. So my 12hr couch residency was over and I went to bed. Of course I slept, but in the only position I could...flat on my back. I woke up today with an extremely slighter version of yesterday's pain. I can move my head in all directions now, but it still hurts when going extremely sideways. And of couse my neck in completely sore from looking down for more than 12hrs.
Atleast I can rejoin the living today! Yay!
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