I hate when this happens.
 

Most of the time *if* I get cramps they're manageable, you know, pop an Extra Strength Tylenol and I'm fine.  Unfortunately, today was NOT one of those times.  I was stricken by absolutely killer cramps just minutes before a meeting at work this afternoon, one that included my old boss, my NEW boss (more on that transition another time), and the two of us in my department that remain after the recent retirements.  We were basically discussing the transition and apprising Dawn (the new boss) of what we actually do all day.  I sat there shifting in my seat as the waves of pain continued to hit me (not only cramps -- my back started to act up as well so I had that discomfort on top of the cramps).  I managed to remain attentive for the duration and give my input, but by the time I got back to my desk I was trying deep breathing, "labor" breathing, and anything else I could think of to try to make it through the day.  I soldiered on, as I usually do, for another hour and some, then looked at the clock and contemplated whether I really could make it until 6:00.  My answer was an "almost certainly not."  I asked my coworker what she would do in my situation (because I hate the idea of going home when I have a pile of work to do).  She said she'd go home.

I went downstairs and told the old boss, who seemed not the least bit surprised because she had seen me squirming my way through the meeting.  She told me I should let the new boss know, and when I told her she waved bye-bye and gave me a big hug!

And so here I am, hot pack on my belly, and I just did something that I almost NEVER do...I took a pain pill...well, half of one.  I have nothing against pain meds.  Actually, it's very easy for me to get on my soapbox and rant about how doctors undertreat pain patients, because I see that sort of crap in the charts I work with -- treating them like criminals, discharge from the practice over the slightest infraction, etc.  It totally pisses me off.  But I do remember becoming dependent on the Tylenol with codeine that I took in college for migraines lo these many years ago, so I treat pain meds with kid gloves.  So when I was given 20 Percocet after I had throat surgery a year ago, I took exactly 2 of them in conjunction with that surgery, then hid the remaining 18 in a closet, to be used ONLY when all else fails.  While I was sitting at my desk at work, doubled over in pain, my heart racing, feeling as if I would pass out, it occurred to me that this may just be one of the times when I REALLY need to get that medication out of the closet.  So that's what I did when I got home.  I took 1/2 a pill, not more at that point because I remember from after my surgery that I really don't like the way Percocet makes me feel.  So here I sit with my hot pack, and I think the Percocet has started to take effect.  The cramps are still coming in waves but but I'm no longer in total agony.  I may take the other 1/2 to see if I can really knock them out.  Of course, this means that I'll be knocked out too, maybe for a couple of hours, and then I can get up and fix myself a decent dinner...and then it will be time to watch our guys go up against the Halos!
 

With the game starting so late in the evening, I'm probably going to forego all but a "hello how are you" in the usual spot, and instead watch from the comfort of my bed for as long as I can stay awake.  I told my boss(es) that I planned to make up the time, which means two 9-hour days in a row, so I need to get some rest.

Speaking of rest...I'm going to lie down for a bit.  Enjoy the game, y'all!