Ups and Downs

Hi folks,

Bad news first... I (re-)injured my back. Back in April I injured my back for the first time. Thanks to a bulging disk that was pressing my S1(?) nerve going to my right leg I was off work for 3 weeks and a further 3 weeks on reduced hours. Medication and exercise took care of it then.

Well, earlier this month, while shoveling snow I strained my back, so I was in pain again. This time it was only for about 4-5 days. Unfortunately, just over a week later (Monday Feb 11), I forgot myself when lifting something, and did it again. In both cases it was a bending/lifting situation. Lifting vertically I can do, but when bending over and then exerting myself, that's the bad kind of lifting.

This time, my sciatica (the bulging disk) flared again, and 9 days later I'm still dealing with it. Mornings and days are pretty good. Early evening is when the pain starts to be worse. It is just like last spring, though thankfully in a reduced way, so I know I just need to work on my exercises, take it easy, and wait for the swelling/inflammation to subside.

Still, it is frustrating. I'm angry with myself for doing that lifting. I feel like I let my wife down. And I feel semi-guilty, since "obviously" I wasn't exercising enough to strengthen my back. I know, I know, not all of those are true or valid -- sometimes things happen for reasons which we just can't forsee, and we may never know why (in this life). But the emotions are still there.

All I can do now is press on and do what I can.

On the upside, this week marks the 1/4 mark for me in fundraising. Yesterday I wrote another series of 22 letters to go out, to another group of contacts that I have not yet approached. Also, our London group (we are working together on fundraising) has more ideas and energy to move forward. I'm confident we're going to make it.

And look at the tour overall! 211 cyclists! Wow, Praise God. 129 going sea to sea, and 82 going part way. Do the math, that is a big chunk of change going to poverty issues! (I figure somewhere in the neighbourhood of 1.5mil)

I'm also really curious as to just what kind of PR we're going to get this summer. A bike tour this size has got to attract a lot of interest and curiousity. That is something to look forward to as well.

And I'd better wrap this up. Blessings, all!