Remember - Christina Rossetti

Remember me when I am gone away,
Gone far away into the silent land;
When you can no more hold me by the hand,
Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay.

Remember me when no more, day by day,
You tell me of our future that you planned:
Only remember me; you understand
It will be too late to counsel then or pray.

Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.

Slipped Disk

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

A slipped disk--also known as a herniated or prolapsed disk--occurs when the ligaments that support and surround the flat, platelike cushions between the vertebrae in the spine begin to weaken. A back strain may cause one of these ligaments to break, allowing the disk material to squeeze out from between the vertebra and press on nearby nerves. Slipped disks become increasingly common with age.

Causes

The ligaments may give way under the stress of regular lifting, or tear open during a sudden injury. The odds of this happening increase when you are overweight.

Signs/Symptoms

A slipped disk in the lower back can put pressure on the sciatic (sigh-AT-ik) nerve, causing sciatica--sharp, shooting pain from the buttock down the back of the leg to the foot. You may notice weakness, numbness, or loss of muscle strength in the affected leg. If a disk slips in the neck, the pain will get worse when you move your neck. It may also extend across the shoulder or down one arm. Your arm may feel weak or numb, or may lose muscle strength.

Care

Your doctor may prescribe pain medications or muscle-relaxing drugs. Physical therapy will help to strengthen your muscles and prevent future strains. Surgery may be necessary if a disk has ruptured.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

• If your doctor prescribes medication to control pain or to relax the muscles in your back, take it exactly as directed.
• It is important that you rest your back and give the irritated nerves and muscles a chance to recover. Your doctor may suggest you rest in bed to take the weight off your back. You may read or watch TV, but you should get up only to go to the bathroom and eat meals.
• Use a firm mattress or put a piece of plywood between the mattress and box spring. Don't use a water bed; it will not support your back correctly. When resting or sleeping, lie on your side with your knees slightly bent.
• For the first day or two, apply ice to your back to help relieve pain. Put the ice in a plastic bag and place the bag on your back. You can also have someone rub the ice directly over your back 4 times a day for 30 minutes.
• After 2 days, applying heat to your back may help relieve pain. For 30 minutes every 3 or 4 hours, use an electric heating pad set on low, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel.
• After your period of bed rest, limit your activities until your symptoms improve; then gradually resume your normal activities. Avoid motions and activities that cause back strain, including heavy exercise and lifting, or sitting in a slumped position.
• After you feel better, do exercises, such as walking and swimming, that will strengthen your back muscles. Avoid exercises, such as rowing and jogging, that will put stress on your back Check with your doctor before starting any exercises or sporting activities.

Call Your Doctor If...

• The pain in your back, legs, or arms gets worse or fails to improve with treatment.

Seek Care Immediately If...

• You develop weakness or numbness in your legs or arms.
• You lose control of your bladder or bowels.