December back pain (part 1)

HO HO HO..HA HA HA…”Merry Christmas & Happy New Year” and whatever other cliche phrases that usually go along with the December month. When I arrived in Kuching on 20 Dec after my Long Banga trip, I had already made plans to leave Kuching for somewhere, anywhere, just to avoid the hype of Christmas. Besides, I thought I needed some time in solitary to reflect on what I’ve been doing (and not doing!) this year. Yes, it was all planned carefully and almost naturally, I thought of finding solitude in Bako during that day.

Anyways, Francis called on Friday (22 Dec) inviting me to join him and Azmi to do some exploratory kayaking in Padawan. The river, Sg. Abang, is a tributary of the larger Sg. Sarawak Kiri. We got off near the junction to Kpg. Bayor and as usual, the orange kayaks attracted the amusement and curiosity of the villagers who were selling their durians by the roadside. As I got off my car help Azmi with the kayak, I felt something funny happened to my lower back. I didn’t think much of it then but the pain gradually came. I thought I must have slightly twisted my back as I got off the car. My overgrown love-handle blubber didn’t help as I thought this would contribute to the back ache. But I just let it go.

As we kayak through the river, I could feel the pain in the spine, the lower part of my back. It felt uncomfortable, not exactly hurting, as I sat longer on the kayak. The only thing that distracted my from the uncomfortable feeling (and thoughts) was the beauty of the river! There were small rapids after another, which none of us had expected. As I said, it was an “exploratory” adventure. Then, there were obstacles in the form of bamboo arching over the river and large fallen tree trunks. I capsized twice throughout the journey, and later, Francis thought it would be better if I exchanged “seats” with him – he takes my single kayak and I join Azmi on the double. It suited me better as Azmi did most of the paddling and I did most of the..er..observation.

We must have been on the river for almost three hours before reaching our (planned) destination at Kpg Bengoh, where we usually start our kayaking downriver to Kpg Semedang. It was then when I felt a sharp pain on my lower back. I almost couldn’t stand and if I did, it hurt so badly that I was on the verge of tears.

Again, on the way home, I managed to ignore the pain. I took a shower and went over to pick up a friend of mine, Terry who came to Kuching from Miri to visit his brother for Christmas. We hanged out in my apartment but most of that afternoon, I was so tired from kayaking that I decided to sleep. My back was throbbing with pain. In the evening, I took Terry back to his brother’s place and I went back to my apartment. When I arrived home, I sat on my sofa and as I was about to pick up my computer, I felt a sharp thrust of pain coming from my lower back. I just collapsed on the floor and couldn’t move my legs. The pain stayed for almost 10 seconds but it felt like one whole hour! After the pain slowly subsided, I decided to move very, very slowly and I could feel it’d come again if I place my body or move my limbs into certain postures. So, to reduce that possibility of experiencing another thrust of pain, I decided to lay still for that whole night. And I did.

Sunday, Christmas eve morning. I woke up. I felt nothing on my back. I thought it was just a bad dream. So, I quickly got up off the floor where I slept and that was a mistake! The pain returned with vengeance and once again, I became a lump on my floor. I thought “This is too much! What’s wrong with me?” The whole Sunday morning I was in pain although I managed to get out and grab my breakfast. I said to myself “There goes my Bako trip and plan to do some bloody reflection shit!”

So, I stayed depressed the whole Sunday, staring at the Ghost of Christmas Hype sniggering at me like a sick hyena. Oh, gosh! Christmas came on Monday and I was still struggling with my back. It was so painful that it made my head go spinning. I thought “hhmm…this is a good way to get a natural high!” I can’t be bothered taking painkillers because I’ve lost faith in those medications. Doesn’t solve the problem. More like alcohol. But that’s another different story.

I’ve got to see the doctor today and see what is wrong with my back. I’m really hoping for a bad case of straining my lower back muscle and not something like a slipped disc or spinal problem. Urgh…