I knew I'd likely need to see a doctor at some point on my trip. But, I always imagined it'd be overseas in some foreign city making sure I didn't have some exotic disease. I never thought it'd be in my own country before I ever set foot on foreign soil.
In the week preceeding the start of my trip, I acquired an ache in my back that hung around through the trip out west. It wasn't painful and would typically go away once I moved around a while. But, at a stop just outside Bryce Canyon, my back collapsed completely and, in considerable pain, I decided my back just might not get better on its own.
A trip to the nearest ER couldn't determine the source of the injury despite some x-rays. So, I cut the trip short and headed back to Chicago. An MRI last week found that I herniated a disc in my lower back which is also pressing on the sciatic nerve that runs down my left leg. It's a fantastic combination that only hurts when I sit, stand or walk. But, after 10 days of laying on my parents couch watching World Cup soccer matches all day, the pain is subsiding and my range of movement is increasing. In another month or two, I expect to be back in traveling shape.
I've postponed my trip to Costa Rica/Peru which I hope to do next summer after I get back. I'm planning to resume travels in late August by heading to Fiji as planned. I'll continue to post any new updates and info here whenever its makes sense.
In the mean time....remember to bend at the knees.
