Cortisone shot

Today I got an epidural cortisone shot for my herniated disk. I started the day with a visit to the doctor. He was really nice. When he learned I was a pastor, he asked me if I get my sermons from the internet. I assured him that I do not - I go straight to the Source! I do use the internet as a research tool, though.

After it was determined that I would indeed have the shot today, I had an hour and a half to wait. I went to the Grinnell hospital to visit a man in my congregation who is a patient, then went with my husband to Hardee's so he could have lunch.

I didn't have to wait too long once I checked in at the hospital. I will admit that time passed more quickly thanks to my new iPad and an episode of NCIS. I didn't have quite enough time to finish the episode before I was taken back to the OR.

The procedure itself went amazingly fast. I laid on my stomach, and the doctor marked the spot on my back. He set up the C arm for the X-ray machine, then numbed that part of my back. That stung a bit, but it wasn't bad. A minute or two later and he began the injection. It took about a minute to get to the right place and inject the steroid. I knew when it was injected because I got an intense headache as it rushed up my spine.

By then it was done. The headache faded a bit as I stood up. I walked myself back to the recovery area, and it was all finished.

I had orders to lay on a bag of frozen peas once I got home. I've been doing that all afternoon and evening, and I have to say I'd make a terrible princess. There were no mattresses between me and the pea, and still I was able to nap just fine! However the headache has gotten steadily worse throughout the evening, and there is a nasty aching feeling from the point of the injection down to my toes. I'm sure it will be better by morning, but sleep may be a difficult thing tonight.