Got to bed around eleven, and Laura was complaining about her back. It’s been an on again, off again problem with her, and no one has really been able to figure out what the deal is. Anyways, she was in more discomfort than usual, and went to get the backrub that she uses in these circumstances.
This backrub stuff, I might not have to tell you, is pretty noxious stuff. One, it produces an excessive amount of heat on the area where you rub it, and two, it smells like peppermint to hell and back — as a matter of fact, I think I still smell it now at my desk at work.
(Note: If you ever apply this, either on yourself or someone else, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. I did not, and got quite a shock when I went to the bathroom afterwards. Yeah, you can figure out the rest for yourself. Nasty, nasty stuff it is. Yeow.)
Anyways, after I put the rub on her back and we both go to get some sleep. I am successful. She, not so much. I am awakened around 1:30 by her coming back from the bathroom, apparently she — completely unable to sleep — had gotten up and taken a bath to try to curb the nagging backpain. It had now progressed from annoying to annoying and quite painful, much more so than usual.
After a half hour or so, we decide to go to the emergency room, as it’s been a few hours and the pain is showing no signs of retreating. Neither of us really wants to go, but sometimes it’s what you have to do. It didn’t help that it was also quite cold for a late May night, with temperatures hanging around in the fifties during the day. We both got dressed and headed out to the car.
We get admitted to a bed and they being with the normal questionaire and blood work stuff. I surprise myself by getting a little woozy watching the nurse take out the 3rd and 4th vials of blood and had to take a seat. This was odd as I’ve never been bothered by the sight of blood before. Perhaps it was the late hour. Maybe it was the fact that it was being taken from my wife when we really didn’t know what to expect.
In addition to the bloodletting, she got a shot of an anti-inflamatory for the pain and an x-ray. I got to watch some Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Kids in the Hall. No one was able to diagnose anything obvious from the tests, but at least we know it wasn’t a bloodclot from the flight to/from Mexico. That’s a good thing to know, I never even suspected it as a possible cause. Probably why they’re the doctors and I’m just a lowly HMO member.
Got home around 4AM and called the office number to leave a message in the receptionist’s mailbox. I knew I was going to need more than two more hours of sleep in order to function today, and let her know that I was going to be a little late this morning. Turns out I got in not too far past ten.
Laura’s at home today, catching up on her sleep and resting her back. She’ll make an appointment with her doctor and try again to figure out what’s going on. I hope this time we’re luckier in the diagnosis department…