It’s been known for people to laugh at other’s pain. Someone who has suffered from gout, for some reason, is the butt of many a joke, often seen in old silent movies. Yet pain is not funny and nobody can feel the pain that you are feeling right now. They may sympathise and even empathise but they can never feel it.
Many years ago, back in the eighties, I was working in the motor trade and tried to lift two 25ltr drums of paint thinners, one on each hand. I felt a tearing pain in my lower back and struggled to lift anything for the rest of the day. Eventually my back got better and for a long time everything was fine. As I get older, however, the odd twinge and flicker of pain has returned until a fortnight ago that is.
I was cutting the grass, as you do and had noticed the increasing painful feeling in my back. It brought back the memories of the pain I had experienced decades ago and by the end of the afternoon I was in considerable discomfort. With the judicious use of a hot water bottle I managed to get my spine back in some kind of working order only for it to fail again the weekend after.
This time I had cut the grass (there is a pattern here) but had been very careful to keep my back straight. All was going well until I reached out and tried to prune some peonies. I felt a shearing pain, once again at the base of my spine. This time I found it very difficult to stand up and suffered for the rest of the afternoon. In the morning, I was even worse and struggled to get out of bed or to climb down the stairs. All I could manage was to sit in an armchair with the hot water bottle.
Now, a week later, I am still not back to normal and have got a clear case of sciatica. I understand that this will eventually disappear but what caused it is still a mystery, one I hope will be identified by a MRI next week.
Old age has crept up on me. I am now suffering from all of those illnesses that I heard people mention when I was younger. Everytime I get something I find out that many people around me have suffered from it in the past. Sciatica is quite common and there must be thousands of people wandering around with an annoying pain in their legs.
It’s not funny and I’m not laughing. I feel my own pain and can sympathise with those who are suffering likewise. Perhaps that person who is holding you up in the supermarket queue is one, or that person trying to cross the road in front of you is as well.
Spare a thought next time you find yourself unwell and.. Look after your back!