Florida Project: Pain in the Back

Saturday was a Disney Water Park day. We had to pick between Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. How to pick? If you mostly like the tidal pool and lazy river? Typhoon Lagoon is the best. They have a couple of water slides, but the wait for us was 30-45 minutes. There is a kiddie park for those under 48". And there is a place where you can swim with the sharks. If you like water slides the most? Then you choice is Blizzard Beach. Both parks have many of the same things, just one is better than the other at some things.

We picked Typhoon Lagoon and spent most of our time in the lazy river. We did five laps around the park just relaxing in an inner-tube. 

It has rained everyday we have been in Florida and this day was no exception. Luckily? We were at a water park. But the thought did cross my mind that we should seek shelter so we wouldn't get wet. 

After the lazy river we tested the wave pool. The wave pool has two modes: waves like you might see at an ocean; and tsunami. We were standing in the calm tide pool with the water below our knees. A siren sounds. Then a thunderous rumble. And a tsunami wave (perhaps twenty feet high?) formed in front of us. By the time the wave hit us, it was at my shoulder height. 

I quickly turned and grabbed my youngest (soon to be 10 yr old Mike) and lifted him above my head so the water wouldn't drown him. 

Five years ago I was lifting heavy CRT computer monitors and work - giant 30" monitors, and I blew out my back. I went to the hospital for and MRI, was put on some good medicine. It felt like the top and bottom of my body were disconnected. I had to use a walker and endure a lot of pain across a week to walk again. After that, I would occasionally have minor back pain requiring the medicine and a few days of light activity. During the past year I have been strengthening my abs and back and have had no problems.

I lifted Mike while turning as that wave hit. I dug my legs into the ground so the wave wouldn't knock us down, sending us both into the wave. It was then I heard my back snap and knew that was the end of the fun for me. 

I am back on the back pain medicine. It isn't a major problem - I am still fully functional (still carrying the 50lb back pack). But I have a constant never ending pain in the back.

To add misery to the pain. I forgot the first rule of water parks: sun screen. My brother taught me that you should start the summer with a good burn and then you wont burn again, you will just tan. Obviously my brother is not a doctor, but I followed this pattern yearly. I get really good deep tans. I get so tanned that one September at the start of elementary school, my daughter told her teacher I was black. So you would think the lack of sun tan lotion wouldnt have a strong effect on me. I didn't do my back or chest and now I have a nice burn. Back pain and sun burn - nice combination.