Oh the things we take for granted!

     My two followers and my aunt, who reads my blog, I am sure have noticed my absence. I had promised a post everyday in November of something I was grateful for. It isn't that I didn't want to, couldn't find something to be grateful for, or didn't have time. I physically couldn't get to the computer. Even now, the pain in my back is a lot to bear. So it all started last Wednesday when my back started feeling a little sore. This happens to me quite a bit. I have two 20 lb. weights that I frequently swing around. Both of my twins like to be carried around and both refuse, even at the age of 15 months, to walk. My back was bugging me but, it wasn't anything unbearable. I went to bed later that night and woke up sometime in the middle of the night with it hurting quite a bit more. I, so brilliantly, decided that the hard wood floor would make a better bed. I went into the living room and laid on the floor. My sweet husband went to work at 6:30 and I got up off the floor to pray with him. I then proceeded to use the restroom. I noticed that I couldn't pull up my pants without a lot of pain so I decided to make my next brilliant move and lay back down on the floor until my kids woke up.
     A little after 7 I had to use the restroom again but this time, I couldn't get up off the floor. I struggled, strained, and told myself to breath through it. I couldn't do it! I called my mother-in-law, who lives half a block away, and asked her to come over. By the times she came, the babies were in in their cribs crying to get out. She quickly got to work feeding and dressing the babies. My father-in-law also came over and tried to help. They made lunches for us but then had to leave due to some doctors appointments. I was still on the floor. I called a neighbor and she came over with her little girl and took care of the kids, put the babies down for a nap, and tried to help but she was no more successful at getting me off the floor. She had brought over a walker to see if that would help me pull myself up but to no avail. She had to go pick up her son from kindergarten and had to leave around 11:30.
     As I lied on the floor I cried, pleaded and worried. I wondered if I would ever be able to get up. I wondered if I would have to call the paramedics. I worried about my kids. I broke down and called Josh at that time and asked him if he could come home. Shortly before his arrival, my mother-in-law came back. By this time the babies had woken up from their naps and Turner and Max had taken them sippy cups and tuna fish sandwiches. I am sure that was the best crib picnic ever! After an hour of Josh and his mom helping and trying to problem solve I was about ready to give up. By this time, I had been on my back for 7 hours, not including the amount of time I had slept on the floor.
     Finally Cathy (my MIL) got a brilliant idea. She took two couch cushions and stacked them on top of each other. The top one she slanted like a ramp. I was able to roll on top of them. From there Josh and Cathy both grabbed a leg and scooted it under me and I could get on all fours! This was progress, painful progress but progress none the less. The next step was for me to pull myself up to a kneeling position using a dining room chair. Every painful step took abut 5 minutes. I then could pull myself up to the armrests and then I pull myself up to a full kneel with the help of a walker. The pain was too much to bear and I had to go back down to the chair. Finally I worked through it and got up to standing and with Josh's help, I was able to go to the bathroom. I sat down on the toilet and almost passed out because of the pain.
     I have had gallbladder attacks, gallbladder surgery, gone through natural childbirth, a twin pregnancy, and the beginning of a c-section without drugs. This was the most pain I had ever dealt with! My wonderful husband has been the sole caregiver to all 5 of us. In addition to me being down, all four of my kids got a little stomach bug. Josh has had to deal with throw-up and diarrhea! My back pain gets a little better everyday, and I haven't had to use the walker all day today. I am thankful it is getting better but it looks like it is still a long road ahead. The doctor said 2-3 weeks! Holy moley!
     I have had a lot of time to reflect on the things that I am grateful for. First off is my relative-good health. There are those who suffer through chronic pain everyday of their lives. I can't imagine! Second, is modern medicine. I am not a huge fan of meds. or going to the doctor. I try not to do it as much as possible. The doctor I went to see on Friday was the king of clueless doctors, but he could prescribe some ibuprofen and muscle relaxers. They have helped to take the edge off and I am thankful for that. I am also thankful for the walker my friend lent me. Someday I might have to use one of those full time and believe me they help a lot! Third, is my wonderful kids who decided to get sick while mommy was out of commission. Thank you for saving me from this round of vomit and diarrhea! Fourth, and last (for today) is my in-laws. They have brought us dinner twice, took care of my kids on Thursday and have offered a lot of advice and support. I am glad that they are only a phone call away when crisis strikes!
     It has taken me all day to type this so a review isn't on the docket- please forgive my errors! I hope you can understand my drug induced ramblings. Hopefully I will be able to post everyday again!