Oh my aching back

[darkemeralds]

Something kind of interesting just happened here in the World's Tallest Basement.

Norm, my co-[over]worker, just told the boss that he's been having some very bad low-back problems and will be seeing a doctor tomorrow and might take the day off.

After the boss left, I turned to Norm and I said, "Norm," (I said) "Let me give you the benefit of a small piece of advice. I was once out of work for 18 months because of a low back problem..."

This is a true story. I described how a high-powered but sedentary job finally stressed me out to the point where my body took over and laid me down. A year and a half: that's how long it took me to recover. I didn't describe the more lurid aspects of the L4-L5 Herniated Disc Tango, such as having to literally crawl on my hands and knees to the toilet. But I will if I think he needs to hear it.

I also didn't actually say to Norm that this is a large part of my reason for taking a moderate and easygoing attitude to my job today. I think the message was clear.

I did remind him that everything currently on our shared plate of All You Can Eat Work will keep for a few days longer.

Maybe it's a turning point. I hope it's a turning point.

Comments

[tehomet]

I hope it's a turning point, too. He'd have to be really thick not to get the message.

Sorry to hear about your past back problems, though.

[darkemeralds]

Poor Norm. He's talking to a medical doctor on the phone right now. They have said basically "take two of these and call me in the morning," only "call again on Monday if it still hurts."

Now, if he'd called a chiropractor or an acupuncturist (of which this city has MANY), he'd be lying there getting some pain relief and healing right now.

The reason my back problem is in the past is that I went to a chiropractor--as it happened, a really good one--whose first order of business was to stop me from doing the thing that was fucking up my back--i.e., my horrible, horrible job at the time. Medical doctors generally don't even ask the question.

Nothing against MDs--they're very good for what they're good for. But in my experience, low back pain is NOT one of the things they're good for.

[scribblemoose]

I do hope so. Work-life-balance is so, so important, especially when your body isn't at its best.

[darkemeralds]

And one's body just plain isn't at its best as one gets older. Poor Norm--he's not quite as old as I am, but he's no kid. Stress takes a larger toll the longer you're exposed it, so why volunteer for any? That's my question.

[scribblemoose]

That's been very much a theme for me the past couple of days, too. There comes a time to say 'enough'.