Monday

My New Normal


Just an average day...

Unfortunately, my Cortisone shot stopped working. 

The next option in avoiding surgery: a home traction device to relieve pressure from the ruined disc . I do this 4 times a day, 10 minutes at a time. 

(And while I'm strapped down, I pray my toddler doesn't jump in the middle of me and my dog doesn't make me smell her breath.)

Because. Well, you know.

Oh, and of course, it's completely natural for my daughter to soak her sore toe in epson salt beside my head.

I thinking our normal might be a little weird. 

What do you think?


39 comments:

Lauren Delaine said...

I think weird is the new normal.

Melanie Eccles said...

well actually, scenes similar to this one (complete with epson salt!) occurred all too frequently in my home growing up.

Jan said...

You know, I am not sure if the words home and traction belong in the same sentence. Sort of like chiropractor and sadistic -- never mind, those do go together.

bridget {bake at 350} said...

Oh, KRISTEN! I think you need cookies!

Unknown said...

Bless your heart! I can honestly say that my dad used to soak his feet in epson salt while his knees were wrapped in electric heating pads. Oh yeah, that's all kinds of wrong. We'd just pop some popcorn and gather 'round his recliner for a little quality tv time til the hot water cooled off. Seemed normal at the time...

Latonya said...

Your new normal is funny! That pic is too crazy! Hope you're having a great day!

Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama said...

ugh, that stinks! Hope you find relief soon!

Robin said...

Definitely weird! I sure hope it works for you so you don't have to have surgery.

Serenity said...

You poor thing! I will be praying you have some relief soon! If it makes you feel any better, your sweater is adorable :)

Jenn @ Beautiful Calling said...

I think it's great that you're willing to share LOL!

Muthering Heights said...

You poor thing!!

Tami VanHoy said...

I am very familiar with ruptured discs personally, so I am by no means insensitive to the actual pain of the situaion :) ~ but they say it is all in how you look at it, so... if this is going to be the new normal, then adjust your personal world view a little and celebrate that you now have 4 doctor ordered 10 minute power naps in the course of your day! Cage the dog, toddler in play pen (or whatever 'cage' :) is age appropriate), light a spa candle, turn on some Pachelbel (I recommend Canon in D), turn off the phone and assume the pressure relieving position. Make those 40 minutes of your day the best they can be!

I'll be lifting you up in prayer...very familiar with the pain.

everydayMOM said...

Oh Kristen, I can relate! I have constant back pain because I'm in my 37th week of pregnancy. But about a month ago, my husband also injured his back. Now neither of us is really much good to the other and anything that involves the back... OK... isn't that EVERYTHING?? ... is do-able at our house.

He is doing physical therapy three times a week, but I'm thinking that home traction devise looks kind of nice!

We do have a friend who had the surgery on his disc and he is like a new person. Really... back pain is the worst! We "feel" your pain!

Mombrud said...

Wow! Traction has improved! The torture device I have in my basement quite literally tries to separate your head from your body by pulling it up and over a door! Enjoy it how you can. I loved the comment about "caging" any possible interuptions and turing it into a spa time. Although, in my experience, it would be a spa time for masochists.

Anonymous said...

Well, you are THAT family. LOL. I feel your pain (literally). I so hope this works for you.

Unknown said...

Kristen, I'm praying for you! That is a miserable pain and I hope that the Lord heals you swiftly. And really what is normal anyway? Have a great day relishing the fact that love is your normal and you have that abundantly.

Mommy, I'm Home said...

And why exactly are you avoiding the surgery?????

se7en said...

That looks totally awful. You are very brave!!! All the best wishes to you!!!

Lisa@BlessedwithGrace said...

Bless your heart, Kristen. Sorry to read about your chronic pain. I pray the traction will offer you some relief. I can't imagine what a burden and frustration this is for you.

Amanda from Faith, Food and Family said...

I'm sorry about your back! I hope the traction device helps. My sister has degenerative disk disease so I know that anything with your back is so difficult. Hope you get relief soon!
God bless,
Amanda

B-Dub said...

Owie, I hope the home traction helps!

Lynn said...

I was cured from almost 30 years of back pain with acupuncture. Please try it before surgery.

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, I hope that works. If not, it makes for a funny shot!

Bailey's Leaf said...

Okay, I'm just saying here that perhaps surgery isn't that horrible of an option? I also understand that I don't know all the circumstances surrounding it, but wonder if maybe that would just make everything better? I know it is hard to be a mama down and the thought of someone digging around in your body with something doesn't sound that appealing, but just wondering.

Whatever your choice, I think that the home traction device is smashing. Though, I do have to admit that I've now just thought of Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion and am hoping that the kids don't try to sneak magnets on it behind your back. (Pun fully intended.)

Be well!

Brandy said...

So sorry you are hurting. I have experienced that before. Your sweater is cute though! =-)

The Martin Family said...

I think everyone's normal is a little weird to others. My normal is telling my 2 yr old to stop trying to put her fingers in my 5 yr old's rear end. They giggle and think it's funny. Talk about weird!

As for the back pain, I am so sorry. I herniated my first disk when I was 16. I had issues when pregnant with my first, but I was much more able to relax. Then by baby #2, I herniated disk #2. After a couple of those shots, I ended up practically begging for the surgery. I'm not a huge fan, but I'm not terrified.

If you choose to go that route, you will need help for a few days, full time...but I was back to my usual within about a week.

But I can honestly say that after the surgery it was like life was clearer. I discovered that the dull pain I was feeling (in addition to the acute) was making everything in life cloudy. And as a result, I had a shorter tempter and was grumpier. After the surgery, I realized that finally being pain free also made me happier. Those clouds lifted. And with the surgery, it was instantaneous. I'm very pleased with my result (2 yrs later).

While I know surgery is not the way to go for everyone, I do hope you can find relief. Life is just sweeter when you can enjoy it fully.

Stonefox said...

Normal is normal, right? :) I'm praying you are able to avoid surgery.

Anonymous said...

I second acupunture! I have had amazing results and my brother has gone from imobile and drugged up to completely PAIN FREE!

Kim @ Twice Remembered said...

I am so sorry! That does not sound like fun, ugh! Hang in there!

Write2ignite said...

sounds perfectly normal to me. of course, I'm not so sure what that says about me... ;)

hugs,
Donna

Jamie said...

I'm thinking your new normal doesn't look like much fun. I hope you aren't in lots of pain!

grannyann said...

I think we all have those not so normal days with our dysfunctional families and always when we don't feel our best.

Anonymous said...

Eeegads. That does not look fun. Have you tried a chiropractor? One changed my life when I was pregnant. Twice actually. If you do have to go the surgery route, you do know that they give you mighty fine drugs, right? I still have sort of fond memories of my times on narcotics.

Teresa said...

That is just too hilarious...well really it's NOT at all hilarious...BUT...your EXPRESSION and the way you write about the FUNNY surrounding it all is just too cute! Oh how totally funny...your little darling choosing THAT moment to soak the toe! Too cute!

Melissa R said...

Sometimes I daydream about being in traction... in a good way. I dream about my body being
S T R E T C H E D out. Ah.
Can you pay for that somewhere? Like at a massage place perhaps?
Dog breath...oh my.

Stefany said...

Only slightly strange. :)

Candice said...

Look on the bright side...you get to sit still for 10 minutes 4 times a day. Now all you need is some ear plugs and a good book! :)

Moore Minutes said...

Silly quick question...BUT is your daughter soaking her foot in salt because of an ingrown toenail? lol...I am doing that this VERY SECOND so I thought it was ironic. ;)

Samantha said...

I think EVERYONE'S normal is a little weird.... we just don't all post pictures of it for the world to see- haha!
BTW- I just read an article (Good Housekeeping Nov 09, pg. 175) about back pain: "Of the 56 million Americans who have back pain,only 5% need surgery.An enormous number of back surgeries don't give patients long term relief. There's even a term for what happens when an operation doesn't improve a patient's condition, failed back surgery syndrome, said to be the the only diagnosis named for a treatment that hasn't worked" It also said that MRI's which show disc problems are misleading. It was very interesting... Hope you feel better soon!