I don’t dare move . Each breath is kept low in the diaphragm, shortened , hampered ,deliberate . I want to see the time . I want to know how many more hours until first light . How long can I endure ?To see the clock , I know I have to push my sight up above my left knee that is propped up by my left foot . For 20 minutes or more I’ve been holding a pose that has given me respite ,but the urge to adjust grows by the minute . I must see the time . I roll my eyes ,stretch my neck , tilting my head back an inch …..It’s 225 am and then it comes …..a wave of wringing pain that is horrible , exhausting . The pattern continues for hours , the spasms attacking the torso on any subtle body movement ; be it a head tilt , a leg straightening , a deeper breathe or for just the fear alone ……There would be close to 20 episodes through the night and then there was the need to pee . The body cramps were bad enough but the sense of dread and the illogical thoughts it induced were anther fear altogether .
It’s almost New Year’s Eve and the end of a most challenging year for us all . For me there was a sting in the tail of 2020 . A minor back strain under my right shoulder blade would force me to see the parlours state of LAs health system . A system that is buckling under the Covid 19 pandemic. I strained my back whilst driving . Can you believe that ! I was dropping Tex off to his friends house . We were discussing surfing . Whilst holding the steering wheel I hunched my back and tilted my head in an attempt to describe how I nearly scraped through a barrel .Thats when a mild shooting pain shot down my back , followed by several electrical like aftershocks that felt a bit weird . Tex laughed when I told him I just strained a muscle . I didn’t want to believe it .
Dan , our Aussie neighbour sends a text.. “ It’s pumping out front , let’s get out there .” I look out over the front deck and sure enough Hermosa has turned it on . Fuck it ,I’m not missing conditions like this . I pop a couple of voltaren , suit up and meet Dan in the back lane way . All the while I’m stretching , moving , fighting the little voice in the back of my head that’s telling me ..”the backs a bit sore dude , this might not be a good idea .” The waves are all time . It’s cold , really cold and it doesn’t take me long to realise that things aren’t right . You try to ignore it . You forget that your age has a 5 in it now . Your not 25 either . You’re old , you’re hurt and you’re making it worse . After 30 minutes I’m in pain and I’ve retreated back to the sand . By the time I get out of the hot shower I know I’ve fucked up , but pride forces me to hide my stupidity . I even have a couple of beers with friends . 6 hours later I totally regret my actions .
A couple of terrible nights ensued . The nights are always the worst when you’re injured or unwell . The first night was probably one of the worst nights I’ve ever endured . Maybe 2 hours sleep was achieved . The fear over rides common sense . I’m lying flat on my back and there is a little tickle at the bottom of my my throat . I can’t clear it with a little cough or a deep swallow . That’d be enough to send my obliques into a paralysing crush . You start to think ..” Is this the beginning ? Have I got covid and these symptoms another new set of conditions that accompany it . I’m fallible , I’m old enough now to be on the edge of the danger zone . I mean it was stupid to be thinking like this but I was . I knew deep down that I wasn’t that bad . There are friends and acquaintances who have suffered worse pain and sickness . But whilst you live in the States right now ,any little medical complaint or even emergency can be very precarious. The second night wasn’t much better , but thankfully the muscle relaxants I received had made enough of a difference that by by the 3 rd night I knew I was going to be ok . That’s the thing here in LA right now , you do not want to get hurt and be forced to use the medical system . The hospitals are at full capacity . The 2 Urgent care facilities ( walk up medical clinics ) in our area are dedicated to covid testing .We are very lucky that Emma gets a premium health cover for our family . A system that docks money from your pay so as to give you the benefits of a free health care system . There are many who can’t afford it it in the United States . A doctors visit will cost us around $500 ….yep that’s not a typo . Fortunately we have insurance that is offered by L’Oréal and taken out of Emma’s wage . The medical bills here are outrageously high . In my situation Emma was able to hook me up with an online doctor that saw me from a computer screen . He prescribed muscle relaxants . I knocked back the painkillers as I’m very aware of their addictive qualities. He told me if things didn’t improve in 48 hours that I’d need to see a clinic and likely an X-ray or scan . This wouldn’t be easy right now . The system is maxed out . I decided I won’t be doing that .
Well kiddies it’s New Year’s Day . The backs still pretty sore but I’m ok . I’ll have a few beers tonight and in a week or two I’ll be back in the surf as well . Happy New Years to everyone . 2021 ain’t gonna be easy but I think we’ll turn the corner. The moral of the story …..stay safe and stay well and always remember that you( Aussies) live in ‘ the lucky country .’
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