but last night as I got into bed, it upgraded to agonizing. I've done cold and heat and can still barely move.

I think it's seasonal back pain time. I actually went to the doctor for it on Friday combined with an agonizing headache and cramps, I was a little worried. Muscle spasm.

Some Flexeril and being less freaked out have helped. But it still was weird having back pain that didn't respond to heat, ice, stretching, massage or anything.

I hope you feel better soon, Ginger.

Nothing is doing much for this, although it's better than it was when I was googling at 3 a.m. to make sure it wasn't something that would kill me. I have an appointment tomorrow.

although it's better than it was when I was googling at 3 a.m. to make sure it wasn't something that would kill me.

Yeah, I was doing this at midnight one night and realized it was either a muscle spasm or a kidney infection. Thank you, WebMD.

Doctors are good for these things.

and realized it was either a muscle spasm or a kidney infection.

I came to the same conclusion. I ruled out kidney infection because kidney infections also hurt when you're not moving. My back is fine as long as I'm playing statues.

I went to the doctor. I now have prednisone, some codeine cough syrup, and a new inhaler. Breathing again will be nice.

Enjoy breathing, Hil. It's really all it is cracked up to be and more.

I came to the same conclusion. I ruled out kidney infection because kidney infections also hurt when you're not moving. My back is fine as long as I'm playing statues.

I had to learn the trick that if you can poke at it and make it hurt even worse, muscle. Because it was hurting always.

Sorry you have to play statue. And I hope you get some relief tomorrow.

Good lord, this dark of the moon is turning out to be dark. Thoughts for relief and support to all who need them.

Um. I have to include myself in that wish...dos that negate it? I hope not.

Tomorrow, Bartleby is going for surgery that frightens me and, for which, I do not have the money.

I'm struggling to be rational about it...and thought I was succeeding until this evening when a friend said something so bone-deep insulting, I can't even breathe.

eta: Wow. I know I'm dyslexic and all, but the typos in this screed really do speak to how upset I am. Oh my.

I called a friend who can hear anything and she was great. As a result, I have stopped shaking with rage and have mellowed into a deep and resonating anger that I really must do something with in order to get through the next two weeks.

Short story, I'm doing the flowers for a friend's wedding. I've asked for the budget roughly 10 times, but since they aren't paying for it, and their relatives said, 'Whatever',I did worry too much.

Keep in mind, I am the queen of cheap. The way I have set up my life is my responsibility, but my frugality is a real benefit in these situations.

I never asked for, nor expected to be paid, but they insisted. They also insisted that I come up with a number for their gift. I couldn't for a long time until I recalled that good friends of ours walked up to me with a check after I did their wedding 6 years ago and never said another word about it. I told the current friends that amount (which is less than 25% of what a retail florist would have charged).

TODAY is the last day I can place the flower order. TODAY (did I mention I've been working with them on this for 5 months already?) the gentleman called me at 5 to grill me on just what they are getting for that amount and, by the way, the budget has to be cut in half.

TODAY.

If, at any time, they had given me $50 bucks and called it good, I'd have made something beautiful. NOW he's talking to me like I'm taking advantage of them.

I can't do the tremendous volume of work I need to do for them over the next 10 days with this pit in my stomach.

Rationality will find me eventually, but right now, I don't know what to do.

Hil, I hope the meds work quickly.

Bonny, what an awful situation to be in. I'm sorry.

Ginger, I hope the pain gets much better and soon.

Oh, dear today ended up being a stressful day. I had no idea what I was walking into going to Mom's today. There was paperwork from all through my school years, including papers I wrote for the college degree I never ended up getting. As well as lots of stuff from a friend who has since passed away. I'm feeling like absolute crap tonight, and there is still so much more left there to go through. I'm going back on Thursday.

bonny, I also meant to say tons of surgery~ma for Bartelby.

Oh, thanks sj. Truly, despite my ire, he is the only thing that matters right now. I appreciate the good thoughts.