Ohh the pain!

I spent this morning in the ER. Ok, don't panic! It wasn't anything hugely dramatic just EXTREMELY painful! Wednesday night my lower back went into spasm causing sciatic nerve pain. For all of you wanting to know but not wanting first hand knowledge, let me tell you... sciatic nerve pain is the WORST PAIN that I have ever felt. It's the kind of breath stopping, black out causing pain that no one should ever feel! Lucky me I've had this pain a few times before. I had it the most severely back in 2003. That time I made the trip to the ER in an ambulance cause I could not move at all. This time I knew what was up and could move a bit, albeit slowly so I drove myself to the ER. After they loaded me up with a muscle relaxer, steroid, & a narcotic they sent me on my way. Harri came to the ER to drive me home. I didn't faint this trip and I no longer am having to remind myself to breath. Progress!
As I mentioned this pain tends to cause you to stop breathing when it is at it's most severe. As I'm sure you know not breathing causes oxygen deficiency to the brain witch is never a good thing. I actually fainted from the pain in 2003. In retrospect it is kind of a funny story. I lived with my friend Adrienne at the time. She was the one with me at the ER that trip. After many hours spent in the hospital bed I had to go to the restroom really really bad. Being a good friend Adrienne tried to assist me in this task. The whole task was quite a trial for both Adrienne & I & not very successful. With much effort I was able to get myself onto the toilet but not off of it! With Adrienne's help I managed to get up just enough to cause excruciating pain to radiate through what felt like my entire body. The next thing I knew I was on the tile floor dripping wet. I had fainted and collapsed to the ground during my attempt to become vertical. The wetness was from Adrienne pouring water on my face in an effort to wake me up. When I was coherent enough to realize what had happened all I can remember thinking was "Fuck, now I have to try to stand up from the GROUND!" I couldn't so I eventually crawled back to my bed.
Back to 2009...I'm doing much better now. I still hurt but at least I can wipe myself now without assistance, and of course in a situation like this unassisted bathroom trips is the true measurement of success!!
Thank God I've been blessed with a high tolerance to pain. :)