Shot up

Yesterday was the appointment to have the epidural shots injected into my back.  The appointment was originally scheduled for 2:45.  Then a cancellation moved it up to 2.  Another cancellation moved it up to 1.  A third cancellation would've moved it up to 11, but I had a parishioner visitation scheduled, so declined the earlier appointment.

Part of the instructions was to have someone to drive you home, because they wouldn't allow you to drive yourself.  Not sure what the big deal was there, but I try to follow the rules, so I had The Kid take me in.

We got there at 12:40.  Traffic was lighter than expected, lights were in our favor and the building was easy to find.  Checked in, gave them the insurance card, filled out paperwork, and then sat until 1:30 for my 1:00 appointment.  Why do doctor's offices do that?  Anyway . . .

Finally went back, talked with the nurse.

"Where are we doing the injection today?"

"My back."

She was not amused.

Got me set up for the IV for the "relaxant."

"It's not anesthesia, just something to keep you relaxed because most people don't find needles stuck into your back to be all that relaxing to begin with."

Talked briefly with the doc and he told me he'd be giving me six injections.  Three on each side of my lower spine. 

Went in, laid down, hooked up, shot up, and out.  The actual procedure took about 15 minutes or less.  Walked out to the room (actually, wheeled out because they put me in a wheelchair), picked up The Kid and went to the car, all the while wondering what the big deal about not driving was.

The clinic is at the south end of town.  By the time we got to the north side on the freeway, I was soundly asleep.  The Kid bought me a DQ Blizzard when we got back home.  She's a good kid.

Today was the first day after the shots.  I hurt in places I've never hurt before, but am not sure if that has to do with the back or having needles stuck into my spine in a variety of places.  So I'm going to generally take it easy this week, monitor it, and see how things feel on Friday.

I will say that some parts of the back that have normally hurt don't hurt so much at the moment, so maybe that's a good sign.  We'll see.