don't sneeze

Last Friday morning, I had Carter on my lap and my nose began to itch. It itched and itched and I could feel it coming on. The mother of all sneezes. I braced myself and craned my neck hard to starboard. "ACHOO!"

My neck flew back, as my muscles seized up in my neck and shoulder. My right arm was tingly and three of my fingers started to go a little numb. The pain was shooting down my back as I put Carter down and told Ryan that I hurt myself.

I went to go lie down on the bed and did my best to get comfortable. My neck felt like it was on fire. My shoulder and my neck were so tight that I could hardly get into a position that would allow it to stop hurting!

Several ibuprofen and hours later, I could actually sit up without the searing pain shooting down my arm and back. I put on a happy face for my grandparents when the arrived and when we went downtown to trick-or-treat; but I was so excited to get back home and into my pajamas and get into my lovely bed. My neck was so stiff that I couldn't even turn my head to the right. I just thought that some rest would be fine. After hardly sleeping that night, because of the pain, Ryan convinced me to going to Quick Care and see a doctor. The doc asked me what happened and could hardly control his giggles when I said, "I sneezed." I was told that I gave myself whiplash, and sprained my neck. I was given some large pharmaceuticals and instructions to rest. I asked him if I could have that in writing.
I hurt my neck and squished some nerves, that explains why three of my fingers were numb and it hurt to be upright! I guess it doesn't take much to hurt yourself, there is lots of complaints every year from sneezing. Evidently, injuries include hernia, muscle tears, hip damaged, nausea, inner ear damage including tinnitus, lung injuries and much more. With something as forceful as a sneeze behind a strained neck, it's possible to hurt yourself! A sneeze can be between 95-650 miles per hour!

I tried going to church, but I was in pain and my sweet friend, Ashley, had to cover playing the piano in Primary and doing her Sharing Time. Thanks Ash, I owe you one.

Even today, it's still extremely tight and tender but I can at least function. I'll survive, I suppose. Moral of the story, sit straight up when you sneeze. Otherwise you'll give yourself whiplash and a pain-inducing embarrassing story.