Doctor Visits

I took my top off in three different venues, today.

That sound really, really bad, doesn't it?

I went to the doctor today.  It has been a month since that woman rear ended my car.  I have been going to physical therapy all of this time and I am happy to say that the muscle soreness is mostly gone, now.  Remember the spot in the middle of my back, though?  The spot that felt like someone had punched it with a pointy tool?

It still hurts.

The doctor wanted X rays.  That was the first top removal of the day.  Those weren't conclusive, so he sent me over to the hospital for a CT scan of my spine.  That was top removal no. 2.  I have to say that was kinda fun.  Not the stripping part!  Get your mind out of the gutter!  I've never had a CT scan before.  It is a big white donut looking thing with a platform sticking out of it like a tongue.  I laid down on the platform, that moved me through the donut while the whole thing whirred and spun like some futuristic Stargate portal.  I almost expected to come out of that thing in a different universe, or at least in a different time/space continuum.  Yes, I am an unabashed sci/fi geek.  But I seem to still be in the same universe since the ugly Honeybucket Christmas decoration is still in my front yard (more on that later).

What were they looking for with all this radiology?

The doctor suspects a compression fracture on the T7 vertebrae.

I may have a broken back?!?

Fabulous.

And the third time I got to strip?

Physical therapy, of course.  Every time I go I have to strip to the waist and wear a hospital gown so they can put electrodes, heating pads, and ultrasound waves on my back.  And don't forget the massage!  Today was the first time the therapist didn't do ASTYM on my back.  I don't know what that stands for.  It is a technique of scraping at the shallow muscle tissue and creating minor bruises to stimulate faster healing of the surrounding tissues.  No, it does not feel good and yes, it leaves marks all down the sides of my spine for about a day after each time he does it.  No ASTYM, but he did include some weight lifting exercises to strengthen my back muscles, and stood over me making sure I did them.  I will be sore tomorrow!

So, three.  That's how many times I had to take my clothes off, today.  I really should have chosen an easier bra/top ensemble.