four things
1) Seeing friends you have known for 15 years, spending time with them, laughing together over breakfast, walking down memory lane is quite a treat. (And retiring at the end of the day into a romantic cabin with your husband who listens to it all and holds your hand ain't so bad either.)
2) Seeing two people in love, and watching them get married, is a very nice way to spend a Friday afternoon.
3) Teton National Park is one of the prettiest spots in all the country (at least that I have seen). And Jackson Lake Lodge has one of the best spots in all the world to have a meal (I think there are probably other spots that are gorgeous out there but this one is up toward the top of the list and you should go there if you are ever in that neck of the woods). You can sit at a table right by a huge window and look out at Jackson Lake with the Tetons behind it. They are right there. And there is only nature between you and them. Have another drink of wine and take a breath and look again. Heaven.
4) I have always been able to say, "oh no, I don't have back pain, I do yoga." Until today. Around 2:00 a.m. this morning, I woke up in excrutiating pain. And it didn't stop when I took some Advil, when I woke up again, after I ate breakfast, on the trip to the airport, on the first plane ride when I was basically in tears from pain, while in airport #2 (though my mind was momentarily distracted by a nice dish of frozen yogurt), while finishing the first book, while on plane ride #2, while reading the first 80 pages of book #2, while waiting for our luggage, while waiting in the emergency room, while being told I had to put on a hospital robe (the second time tears began), while explaining to the doctor that standing seems to be the best option and reduces the pain by a tiny bit, while explaining the pain is up there on the 1-10 scale and that I haven't been in labor so I don't know if it is that bad, while being diagnosed with sciatica, while holding in the tears when the doctor left the room because this yoga teacher knows this diagnosis is not a good one, while waiting for special pills, while riding in the car home (finally), while eating thai food, while trying to finish work before going to bed. Nope. Pain. Now I "get" back pain. Whenever a student comes to me in the future to explain back pain, I will be able to nod and say, "oh how I know that."
What 4 things have you been up to while I have been gone?
liz lamoreux
Reader Comments (21)
"What 4 things have you been up to while I have been gone?"
Canning beans; making some plans for a short trip I'm taking soon; reading; went to a movie.
I'm so sorry to hear about your back! Is sciatica a pinched nerve? I know the sciatic nerve runs from the back down the leg, but don't know exactly what sciatica means except that from the sound of it, it must be intensely painful. Were they able to tell you anything to help?
I don't know if I have four things...because I've been dealing with my own odd back thing. A few days ago I bent over at the waist to brush my hair...and when I stood up... It's not preventing me from doing stuff (including dancing to "Love and Happiness" last night at a club...and let me tell you, there is nothing sexier than listening/watching your mate play that song)...but lordy, it's annoying. But starting Tuesday I'll be back to commuting to/from work on my bike...I imagine that'll work it out. Sorry you're having to go through that--it's not fun. I've never been to Wyoming, but have heard it's beautiful. Glad you had a good time (until the back pain).
i have not done yoga in about 2 months. i am experiencing some crazy stiffness in my back too. i am sure 1/100th of your pain...
i hope the pain is subsiding. your body is strong. your mind even stronger. you will is clear. so i am sure you will get through this.
be well. wishing you plenty of time for rest and healing =)
oh, i meant to add that i recently (yesterday) did yoga. my back is probably reeling from NOT having done ANY yoga the past two months...
Oh poor baby - that sounds awful. i have sciatica too, though yours sounds worse (congrats! :-)
i have been blogging (of course), working (unfortunately), drinking wine with friends (hurrah) and doing an awful lot of thinking (so what's new?) - glad you're back :-))) x
Ooh that sounds so sore - and yet you still manage to blog and describe how beautiful th escenery was! Hope it is manageable pain now and that you can return to your yoga soon.
my four things?
reading a complicated kindness,
killing ants,
attending a beautiful wedding,
looking after the kidlets...
:)
sorry to hear about your back pain,
that sucks.
Oh you poor thing---I just got over healing from a lower back sprain. Any kind of back pain just flat out sucks!
4 things I have been doing:
enjoying my anniversary day, painting, working, and eating chocolate truffles I brought back from my trip.
Sending you healthy vibes to feel better soon!
Ouch, doesn't sound fun at all! I hope it starts to feel better soon.
4 things I did this weekend...watched more fireworks, spent quality time with my Love, got ready for my interview, and sat on the beach listening to the waves.
Man, I wish it was still the weekend!!
Liz! Your email makes me wish I could bring you a huge pot of soup and loaf of fresh bread. How are you? What a horrenous experience. Is this something that is now healed? had you ever had this before? I'm thinking of you and sending you much love and well wishes. xoxo
Ok Liz, my answer is to go get some acupuncture. The meds will help, but sciatica doesn't have to be a scary diagnosis. I've had good success treating patients with it and they recover. I can help you find an acupuncturist in your area (alumni e-loop) if you'd like. There are also a few amazing schools in Seattle that will have clinics, a less expensive but very effective way to get treatment.
I've been parenting (impatiently), happily working, enjoying a weekend with some delicious ice cream and dreaming of rollerskating.
Glad your back Liz :)
But, I'm unhappy about your back :(
Sending healing balm your way...
and me?... drudged through this HOT week...read...did some sewing...work...all boring
xxx d
The Tetons are on the "to do list" for sure! Sounds like you had a great time. Sorry about the back pain - that's exactly how I felt when I got my first (and so far only) migraine. I just didn't get it until that moment.
oh liz, i've had sciatica before. it was a few years ago, but such a terrible, long, experience. i feel for you. stand up as much as possible and GENTLE streching. and meds. oh yes, that helps, too.
Here is hoping you feel better soon.
So sorry to hear about your back... hoping you find a safe and effective way to ease the pain!
Let's see, I have been sweating (we're in the midst of another heat wave), creating art, daydreaming and cleaning (there is no end to a messy household!)
xo
LIZ - oh, I am so sorry about your pain. I hope that you are feeling better soon. I have not checked in for awhile and only just (thanks to Michelle) found the post about the meditation you are starting tomorrow. Brave girl! I'm glad you are back and I hope that whatever your body needs is there so you can be well!
Another sciatica sufferer here, though I've never had it as bad as your current attack it seems - poor you :-(
I've been:
1) Getting to know my new laptop
2) Been getting to know photoshop
3) Making lots of salads with the children
4) Looking at new bathrooms for our impending makeover.
Hope you're getting some relief now, off to catch up with your posts, I think I've been away too long, honey
x x x x
1-3 sound like heaven.;)
I was cringing all the way through #4 because Sean suffers from sciatica and he can barely move when it happens, but somehow there are days he has to go to work and I don't know how he makes it through.
I am sorry you had to go through all that pain :(
Hope you're feeling better. And I hope you enjoyed the wedding.
4 things:
1. Just back from vacation with family in Rhode Island
2. Poendering what to look for in a new laptop (maybe I should talk to BB)
3. New, energy-efficient refrigerator arrived yesterday (woo hoo!)
4. Back to work. *sigh* What should I have for lunch today.
oh my gosh...so sorry about your back, you ok??? I thought you were coming home tomorrow...doh!
I have been
1. painting
2. cleaning
3. got a hair cut
4. worrying about my mom's surgery, which was today and went well.
Let's chat soon!
XOXOX