2023 — Not Off to a Good Start

When I woke up yesterday morning at 7:30, after very good night’s sleep, I was feeling refreshed and eager to experience the first day of the new year. The rain that drenched our area had stopped and the sky was a brilliant blue without a cloud in the sky.

I savored my morning coffee, read the Sunday paper, ate my breakfast, trimmed my beard, and took a shower. I was feeling great.

At around 10:30, my wife and I went to our back deck and sat in our swing chair to enjoy the sunshine and relatively mild temperatures and to watch the birds frolicking in the waterfall. Or dog was on the deck with us, busy chomping away on no-hide bone. Everything was wonderfully serene.

At around 11:45, the dog got up and started walking around, a sure sign that nature called. I got up and grabbed her leash and walked her to the spot where she usually takes care of business. Sure enough, she pooped. I pulled a poop bag out of my back jeans pocket, dropped the leash, and picked up her poop in the bag.

When I dropped her leash, she took off like a bat out of hell, and started zooming around the backyard. I saw her as she was heading toward me, her leash whipping in the air behind her. As she zoomed past me, her leash wrapped around my legs like a cowboy’s lariat wraps around the legs of a calf at a roping competition. Suddenly my legs went out from under me and I landed flat on my back.

And flat on my back in bed is where I spent most of New Year’s Day. Taking Advil every four hours, chewing a CBD gummy every six hours, and trying to lie as still as possible to avoid severe and agonizing lower back muscle spams.

Yes, 2023 is not off to a good start. For me, anyway. I hope it was better for you.

63 thoughts on “2023 — Not Off to a Good Start

  1. sgeoil January 2, 2023 / 6:25 am

    An awful way to start the year. I hope you recover soon.

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Paula Light January 2, 2023 / 6:26 am

    Ughhh! That’s awful. Actually, I hurt my neck again and have been in a lot of pain, though yours sounds worse 🙁

    Liked by 3 people

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 9:33 am

      It is bad. Didn’t sleep last night due to lower back spasms. Seeking medical help today.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Paula Light January 2, 2023 / 9:36 am

        Eek. Good luck 🍀

        Liked by 1 person

  3. Maggie January 2, 2023 / 6:28 am

    Oh, man, that had to be rough. Not a great way to start the new year I agree. Rest and recuperate. I hope you will be feeling better soon.

    Liked by 3 people

  4. ghostmmnc January 2, 2023 / 6:38 am

    Oh no! The shock of a sudden accident and injury is not good. Hope you had help getting up. I’d have never done it without help. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

    Liked by 3 people

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 9:35 am

      Thanks. My wife helped me up. Lower back muscle spasms are knocking me for a loop.

      Like

  5. newepicauthor January 2, 2023 / 7:52 am

    I hope you can get a brace for your back pain as they have all of these devices now for relief of Back Pain, Herniated Disc, and Sciatica. My cousin just had back surgery and hopefully you will be able to recover without enduring that.

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Rising Star January 2, 2023 / 8:13 am

    Many many wishes dear. I am also going through it and I can feel your pain. May you recover soon

    Liked by 1 person

  7. pensitivity101 January 2, 2023 / 8:42 am

    Not a good way to start the year Fandango and I sympathise big time. Hope you’re not laid up for too long. I’m taking painkillers every day for my arthritis now and will be glad when they give me a date for a MRI so that I know exactly what I’m up against. Day 2 of the new year did not start well for me after a sleepless night.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 9:54 am

      Yes, my recurring muscle spasms all night long kept me up almost all night long.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Ron. January 2, 2023 / 9:15 am

    six months back, I finished making the bed, tucked in the final corner and straightened up – or attempted to straighten up, but did so in agony. After several appointments to assess the damage (including X-ray and MRI), referrals to chiroexperts, Weeks of PT, and steroid injection, I’m maybe 80% returned to normal (which wasn’t all that flexible to begin with.)
    I hope your road won’t be so long or so bumpy.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 9:57 am

      I hope it won’t be as long or as bumpy, too. But I guess I’ll find out soon.

      Like

  9. sweeterthannothing January 2, 2023 / 10:10 am

    Ah, I see why you’re so glum. I have a reoccurring back problem so I can totally relate, wishing you a speedy recovery.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. msjadeli January 2, 2023 / 10:15 am

    Rotten luck, Fandango. I remember years ago having our Bouvier on a leash, getting ready to take him for a walk and was standing on the back porch. He jumped off the porch and pulled me over with him. Not a good feeling as I recall. You aren’t prepared and that instant tensing up messes with your whole body. Please take it easy and let yourself heal and get medical assistance if you need it. {{{HUGS}}}

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 11:50 am

      Thanks. I think it’s just a muscle injury.

      Like

  11. The Autistic Composter January 2, 2023 / 12:42 pm

    Yes, my recurring muscle spasms all night long kept me up almost all night long. This was your back right?

    Humour aside, l feel your pain matey, the dang shoulder injury from 2018 grinds me to a halt some days, well , l can’t afford to stop, but l get the pain you are experiencing. I can rest up when l am dead 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  12. cagedunn January 2, 2023 / 1:09 pm

    Yeah, been there. 6-8 weeks, as long as it’s nothing too serious. I hope you went to a medical professional asap?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 5:08 pm

      Yes, today. Nothing broken, no slipped disc, so just muscular. Strong drugs, rest, and patience, apparently.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Marleen January 3, 2023 / 4:24 pm

        Someone I know went to a doctor for sudden back pain which kept on beyond a day, recently; went rather than waiting for it to go away so as not to ignore anything that could be a serious problem and potentially getting worse instead of better at his age. Or it could even be some kind of stone — for which he’d request a painkiller… was his thinking. He was told it’s only muscle pain… so then to go find a chiropractor. I don’t remember if the doctor said he could have a painkiller (other than over-the-counter) or not. The chiropractor, in addition to the adjusting and massaging on the professional end of things, mostly wanted him to do stretching [gentle and relaxing] exercises, which have always been his least favorite (hence the reason he seemed not to have the body of someone who stretches). Different kind of story, but stretching a little is good… after you get to feeling up to it. It’s a really good thing you seem to have good bones and didn’t break anything. And good ligaments, I guess.

        Liked by 1 person

        • Fandango January 3, 2023 / 10:17 pm

          Yes, my doctor recommended some stretching exercises once my back spasms are under control.

          Like

  13. bushboy January 2, 2023 / 1:20 pm

    Yep that’s an ouch. Dogs and leads are a dangerous combination when caught unawares. Rest up and hope Mrs Fan will give you special treatment 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  14. rugby843 January 2, 2023 / 1:48 pm

    Yikes!  Sounds like a cartoon but I can imagine that pain. Been there.  Rest👍🏻

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 5:24 pm

      Thanks. I have no choice but to rest.

      Like

  15. eklastic January 2, 2023 / 2:58 pm

    Hence, it can only get better. And I hope you get better soon!

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Marilyn Armstrong January 2, 2023 / 3:18 pm

    I know this sound cruel, but you need a good chiropractor (good ones are hard to find, but maybe you know someone who knows one) AND you need to get up and start moving. The longer you lay still, the stiffer and more painful your back will be. I don’t know everything, but boyoboy, do I know about this particular problem!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 5:55 pm

      I get up and walk around (slowly and gingerly) about every 15 minutes. Doc said sitting in one position for too long can trigger the spasms.

      Like

  17. Jay January 2, 2023 / 3:38 pm

    Oof, so sorry about the start to the year! Hope you have seen a doctor and are feeling better now! Take care!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 2, 2023 / 5:56 pm

      Seen a doctor, got some strong meds, but yet to feel better.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Nope, Not Pam January 2, 2023 / 10:48 pm

    I hope everything is settling down 🙁

    Liked by 1 person

    • Fandango January 27, 2023 / 8:25 am

      I see you’re behind. Two weeks after I hurt my back, I fractured a hip, had hip replacement surgery, and spent the last two weeks in the hospital and rehab. I’m finally going home today.

      Liked by 1 person

      • leigha66 January 28, 2023 / 8:00 am

        Well, it is good news you are home now. Wow. Dad had both hips replaced just for wear and tear and it was not the easiest recovery. Don’t bend too far! Take it easy!

        Liked by 1 person

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