I am a 44 year old mother of 9. My last two were twins (7 years old). I work as a dishwasher at my kid's elementary school, so I know I have put my back through a lot. On New Year's Eve, I went sledding with my five youngest kids. First time down the hill, I hit "the jump" that my kids warned me about. It was snowing so hard, I didn't see it until the last minute. As soon as I hit the ground, I knew something wasn't right. I felt like I was trying to go into shock (suddenly shivering, wanted to vomit, etc.) Anyway, once my head cleared, I sent the two oldest that were there for my cell phone. I called my husband to come home (he was working) and I made the slow, painful climb back up the hill. My kids helped me walk about an 1/8 of a mile home.
Anyway, we went to the ER. (fun New Year's Eve) The x-rays showed two compression fractures in my spine. The doctor did not give me a percentage or tell me where it was affected (lower and middle, but not more specific) or anything like other posters have gotten from their doctors. I had an MRI the following Tuesday (I live in a very small town and the MRI truck comes twice a month). I called for the results, as I have been out of work for the past 2 weeks. No doctor was available, but the receptionist scanned over the report and said "it says you have some compression-like fractures). I am still waiting for the doctor to call me, but I am so frustrated. No one will tell me how long I have to stay out of work, or what I can do to help myself. I have been in and out of bed for 2 weeks. If I sit for too long my back goes into spasms. I really can't afford to be out of work and I am quickly losing faith. I have had problems with depression in the past and I am so afraid it is coming back to haunt me. I feel absolutely useless at the moment.
Anyway, thanks to anyone who reads this and has any words of wisdom,
Anita