stickmaker | Down in the Back

My mother started having back trouble Monday night. She didn't mention it to anyone... until she called me around 2:00 AM Wednesday. I went over, found her barely able to get out of bed. She told me to call 911 and get an ambulance. She hadn't done it herself because she didn't want them to have to force their way in.

At the ER they checked her over, gave her some happy drugs, and told her to go home. I was surprised; I know it's hard to get admitted for back pain, but considering some of the medication and her history of reactions I thought they'd want to keep her overnight.

She barely got out of my car at her home. I did what I could for her, then went back to my place and grabbed a couple more hours of sleep.

During the day Wednesday I visited a couple of times. A neighbor and friend is a retired nurse, and had filled her prescriptions. However, Mother was worried about the main painkiller. My sister told her (by phone) to contact her regular doctor, who suggested taking half a pill for a couple of doses. That, unfortunately, wasn't enough.

She called again at around 5:30 Thursday morning. This time, sitting up was so painful she couldn't even stand. The ambulance was called again, and this new pair of Paramedics had to lift her from her bed, instead of having her walk to the gurney.

After several hours at the hospital - which included extensive blood tests and an X-ray - they finally decided to admit her, possibly at the suggestion of her regular doctor. This primarily to make sure the problem isn't more than just back pain.

My mother, sister and I all have a long history of lower back trouble, but this is the worst episode for any of us.