Journal: 25th Feb 2023

How’re you doing, my friend? I hope you’re well.

This week I’ve been focusing on adapting a stage play I wrote several years ago. It feels good to revisit it. Once I’ve done it, I’ll be sending it out.

(If you know of anyone looking for screenplays, let me know.)

Midweek I had a bout of sciatica. That was an interesting experience. I was at work when the pain around my left arse cheek became a tad unbearable. At one point I went to the toilet, dropped my trousers, and went scouting for a hair or a spot, or anything whatsoever that could be the cause of this harsh pain. My skin felt raw and was sore to touch.

My search was in vain. Up the trousers came and I spent the rest of the day sitting on the edge of my seat, trying not to wince.

Now, last week I’d been experiencing strange pains around my heart, my head, and down my left arm. I’m no hypochondriac, but I was getting a little concerned (while trying not to show it of course and keeping it all to myself. You know, as you do).

I don’t smoke, hardly ever drink alcohol, get plenty of exercise, eat a predominantly vegetarian diet – and I’m 39 – so the chances of me having a heart attack are pretty slim. Still, the mind does its thing.

It doesn’t help that Google likes to tell everyone who’s got anything, that it could be cancer or an underlying tumour.

Thankfully, the pain subsided, but then, like a sneaky little devil under the skin, made its way down to my left bottom cheek. I gave in and explained my symptoms to my wife, to which she calmly said, “Sounds like sciatica.”

“Sciata what?”

I went to work, where I explained to my colleagues the pain and its location, and they all said, “Sciatica.”

“You need to sit on a tennis ball,” said my boss, straight-faced, and then proceeded to look for one, in drawers and under desks.

I wasn’t too chuffed about this idea I have to admit, and was secretly wishing that all tennis balls were well and truly hidden.

Thankfully, they were.

I should mention that I’ve never ever seen a tennis ball in the office. Nobody in the office even plays tennis. But it felt like one of those occasions where a tennis ball would suddenly appear and I would be forced to sit on it.

However, a colleague kindly handed me her footrest, saying, “It’s your posture. Use this today and see how you go.”

It worked like a dream. I also did some basic stretches when I got home, too, and now I’m sciatica free.

If you have sciatic, here’re some stretches you can do to ease your pain.

So take it from me, if you’re experiencing pain of any kind, speak up about it. I know it can be scary. But most – if not all – of our fear stems from not knowing. Once we know the cause of our discomfort, our awareness shines a light on it, and we can get to work making it go away.

Wishing you well.

G

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