h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I had several bad days in a row with my back, where I didn't even get out of bed. Today was the worst, but I made myself get up. I sit here typing with what feels like a huge dagger made of molten steel lodged beneath my shoulder blades. The pain is sharp and hot, and is getting worse the longer I sit here and type.
But I had to get online. I simply could not take a fifth day in bed. I'm suffering from cabin fever. I've grown to detest television, and books. My world consists only of tv and books, and when I'm down, and can't get online, I feel so frustrated and limited that I hate tv and all books. I don't want to watch any more tv or read any more books. I want to do what I used to be able to do.
I want to work out. I want to do my kickboxing, work out with my punching bag. I want to climb a mountain- its been over a year since I last climbed a mountain! I want to go swimming. I want to go hiking. I want to go to movie! I can't even do that because the chairs hurt my back. I want to go roller skating, ice skating, play tennis, go to the mall. I can't do anything, and when I can't get online, I feel the loss more acutely. So even though I sit here, my jaw locked in position against the wail inducing pain, I feel relieved just to be able to be here, and not in bed.
A week ago, my brother went into Albuquerque to stand in line at midnight when they released a brand new video game. I went with. I thought I could handle it. We stood in line for an hour! By the time we were able to leave, I was in so much pain I could barely walk back out to the car, and spent the entire ride home moaning in agony. I can't even stand up for an hour!!!
Okay. Complaining over and done with. Just needed to get it off my chest. I'm okay now. Back to bed for me, with another book, to dream about what my future might hold.

Cali my lovely
I have just read your kind words about 'dancing' and the 'complaining' post. Thank you for your kind words about the Poetry I love trying to put words together in a way that can touch others. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that someone so far away as New Mexico reads my words. I have never been bothered about being paid for writing, but I so much wanted other people to read it and now in my Autumn years it is at last happening.
I can almost feel your back pain when I read your words. I think I told you that a couple of years ago I suffered a wedge fracture of the spine. No one who has not experienced it can imagine the agony of back pain. Here in the U.K.we have this wonderful free health service and I received the best of treatment and medication.
Please don't hurry too much to get moving again. Don't before you can walk properly I promise you rest is really the best in the early days. You will be able to do all you want to eventually but not yet. Be patient. I believe in the power of prayer and you are on my prayer list. You do not have to believe. I can believe enough for both of us.
May your God(or Goddess) look on you with mercy, and yourgaurdiankeep you safe.
I send yous and s
Kif

Thanks so much hun, for getting up & online!I was wondering where you were but of course I knew the pain was very likely keeping you offline. I realize the pain's alot to deal withso thanks ever so much for tolerating it enough to get back here. So it's the upper back? My back pain's usually in the lower back, but I have had some stiffness & aches in that shoulderblade area...butI can only Imagine what you're dealing with! Wishing you all the best hun, be as strong as I know you are...I just Know you'll be doin' all that again soon!

& s & all!

The fact that you didn’t come online several days in a row let me presume that you’re having more pain again. And unfortunately I was right.

I agree with Kif: it’s better to rest now, and wait until you’ve fully recovered before getting started with climbing on mountains, kickboxing and playing tennis again. Of course, the fact that you’ve got to lie in bed all the time is terrible! I hope that the pain will ease off at least so much that you can get online without pain, or maybe even go for a walk. Isn’t it strange how exhausting lying in bed all the time can be?

I wonder which alternatives you’ve got apart from watching TV and reading... maybe you could do some crosswords? I personally don’t like them – but lots of people are really fond of them. I always get stuck and end up looking up the solutions. Not much sense in that!

I took some interest in fine arts lately. It can be very interesting to run over the pages of an art book and dwell on pictures you like... It’s quite relaxing. Maybe you can get some nice art books from the library!

Well, obviously I can’t think of anything sensible ... hope you’re getting well soon!

Looking forward to reading you!


katkodl

Ok, in no particular order;
Hey Katkodl!
thanks for writing!
I know I need to stay in bed, to rest, to recuperate. And most days I do. Some days its just harder than others, especially in Autumn, which is my second favorite time of year.
Back pain IS one of those things that you don't understand until you've experienced it. I certainly never did. My sister has a degenerative bone disease which means she spends most days in bed, and has for the past ten years or so. My other sister has the same problem, but it affects her feet, and so she is very inactive as well, and spent several years confined to a wheelchair, not allowed to run, or even walk. I never understood. I sympathized, because I love them, but I never empathized. Now, I am in the same situation. Its been almost two months of forced bed rest, and I show no signs of recovery at this point. Last night I was up until 4am with the pain. But I slept, finally, and am feeling better now, mostly because all night long I slept with a heating pad under my back. Didn't keep me from feeling the pain all night long, but it made me able to get out of bed this morning with something like a smile!

Jaz!
On Monday it was my shoulder blades. Yesterday, and all last night it was my lower back on my right side. This is one of the reasons I think I may have nerve damage- the pain is different, and travels from one area to another, most annoying, and very troubling.
Honestly, coming on line is one of the only things that keeps me sane. I've always been sort of a dreamer, very introverted, but because I had a choice, it never bothered me. I could be extroverted at times, then enjoy my solitude. I loved activities. Now, I find myself becoming dangerously introverted, and it is not my choice. So, I come online! What a Godsend this site has been for me!

And finally, Kif, my dear,
Your most welcome, and thank YOU for the poem. It truly is beautiful. I have always felt that we are all God's children, and the most important way to show that, is to be like him. To show love to all, to be fair, to learn to be wise, to use our power with mercy, but most of all, to be creative- like our Father, the Creator. People forget that Creator means to be creative, and that it is just another word for Artist. We are God's children, and he(or she if you prefer) wants us to be creative, to be artistic, and that poem, because it not only pleased you, but brought a tear and smile to my face, surely pleased God and brought a smile to his face!
I do remember you telling me about your back injury, and in fact, whenever I get too depressed about not being able to do what I used to do, I go back and read that message again. You have been quite the inspiration for me Mr. Kif!
I know I have to rest, to take it easy, and I am trying. Whenever I forget, my back sure does remind me!!!
Thank you for your prayers. Sometimes, in the thick of things, we forget that the most powerful thing we can do is to let go, and give our burdens to God. We tend to hold onto them, fight him, and say, "I can handle this on my own, thank you very much!" Then we wonder why we feel like he has abandoned us. We humans are so very silly sometimes!

Well, I need to rest a bit now, starting to feel achy, but I'm staying on line for a little while, so I will check back in about an hour or so, after I've had a bit of a lie down. everyone!

Love,
Cali gal

Hi Hun! Hope things are reasonably good today!

Was good, have been online too long, starting to feel sore, will probably call it quits soon. Good to hear from you though. Don't give up on me!
Love Cali

Oh no hun, wouldn't ever give up on you! And I understand the pain's gettin' to you...just glad we caught each other!

'Allo Darlin'
I have just got around to answering my posts. I am sorry I missed you yesterday. I was up until the early hours but playing games on this rather than looking at my friends postings
We have had a bit of a rough time lately but thank God and all His Angels we are through it now.
I am so pleased that you are a believer in the power of prayer. Mrs Kif and I believe that prayer has had a huge effect on our lives.
I hope that day by day your pain, both physical and emotional will ease.
Winter has settled in early here in Cornwall and it is cold wet and windy. However the sea is a wonderful sight. Great rollers crashing on to the shore and amazing black clouds rolling across the sky.
We are fortunate to live in such a lovely place.
Take care
Kif

*Gentle Cuddle* If it makes you feel any better, you're not the only wounded soldier. I've been having severe chest pains due to my "extra heartbeats", can barely walk on my left leg because of something I did in the police cells last week and my back hurts too, I think it's stress induced backpain.

Hello Cali!

How is it going? Just noticed that you haven’t been on h2g2 within the last five days.
Hope you’re fine!

katkodl

Hello, dearest Katkodl of all katkodls!
I haven't been on for a variety of reasons.
First, I have to use my brother's computer because mine doesn't have internet access just now, and so I can only use his computer when he isn't home, which is only while he is at school. This last week, he didn't have a lot of classes due to the holiday, and I was sick when he did have school, so I didn't feel up to coming out to his little travel trailer where his computer is now hooked up, outside the house. My parent's house. I moved in with them when I lost my apartment back in April after being sick (kidney infection) and losing my job. Then I got a job in September, and hurt my back! Life is grand, no?
But I'm here now, in between turkey bastings and mashing potatoes, and helping clean so the rest of my family can come over for dinner. My sisters and my uncle and his girlfriend. I'm already worn out, so I took a break to come online. But I have to get back to it soon. I may not get back online until Monday, when my brother goes back to school. But I will be back! (quoth the Terminator)
Love, Cali gal

Oh it's Thanksgiving isn't it!? Erm...what exactly are you giving thanks for?

I don't have a lot to be thankful for today, or even lately. I haven't spoken to God in a while. Too hurt, feeling betrayed. Let down. But I'm thankful I'm not living in the street, which is where I would have ended up if I hadn't had my family to take me in. So I'm thankful for them, even if they are driving me nuts. I'm thankful that I'm not hurt worse. I'm thankful that I found hootoo, because it has helped me thru some of the worst pain in my life. I'm thankful for all my friends on hootoo- Jaz, Kif, Stealth, Katkodl, and Vice Mistress Kat, and all the new people I'm just now getting to know, all brought together by a common love of DNA! I'm most especially thankful for books, and that I can still write. Last night, I took an idea my brother gave me and made an outline for another book, and showed it to him for his permission/approval. He loved it! I'm thankful I'm not deaf, that even though I can't dance (my one true love), I can still listen to the music. I guess the thing I'm most thankful for today is that things aren't worse.
Speaking of which... I'm about to pass out from back pain from sitting here for so long. I must go. Sorry. Thank you all for being here, for me, for each other, for your selves. "Love thy neighbor as THYSELF." Must love yourself first!
God be with you
Cali gal

And may God be with you hun & show you a little mercy/ease your pain a bit.*careful* A belated happy Thanksgiving...I was online for awhile this morning & I should've left a message then! Even though we Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving last month, I'm thankful I found the site, thankful for everyone I've met here (including yourself! ), thankful that you're enjoying being here...& I suppose just thankful that at least we can be here (online) for you!Hoping the clock moves just a little quicker towards that diagnosis & that an effective treatment of some sort can be found & implemented quickly! You'll be in my prayers.

Cali!!!

Good to hear that the reasons why you didn’t come online were not "only" due to having pain.

I kind of was the opinion that Thanksgiving takes place on the 30th November. Another gap of education! Well, at least it’s in good company in my brain. It’s astounding (and embarrassing) that there are so many basic-facts I don’t know about. And maybe even worse is that I’m sure to know something (like that Thanksgiving is on the 30th) and YEARS later I find out that I’m completely wrong.

Anyways: Happy Belated Thanksgiving!!!

See you soon!

a puzzled katkodl

*pats katkodl on the head*

There's lots of things you know hon.

Are there lots of nice left overs to scoff now cali? That's i like boxing day about. Although it's a of bit an anti climax.
I found today that Native Americans didnt kill turkeys because it was cowardly thought. Oh and the USA symbol is eagle but was nearly a turkey!

Sorry I know that makes no sense but can't think proplery