It's A Trap!... A Trapped Nerve.

A couple of weeks ago I was working very hard finishing Teeny's room.

I was working hard - plastering, sanding and painting. I started at 6pm, and finished just after midnight for 3 days in a row, working flat out, no breaks. This was the last big push to get that room finished.

I got marginally more plaster on the walls than I got on my shoes

I was working so hard that I didn't notice I was giving myself RSI... I felt the pain but I am stubborn and I kept going. It took a few of days of pain before fingers began to go numb, 2 weeks of carrying on like normal; carrying a toddler, hanging out washing, hoovering, changing nappies, flying kites, dropping lots of stuff... finally a yoga session which pushed me over the edge.

Then it really hit me, painkillers were having no effect, no position was comfortable and I eventually passed out from the incredible pain. (I was sitting in bed, at 3am, so it could have been worse) I saw a doctor and was given a cocktail of strong painkillers - which knocked me out, and I slept for practically 3 days.

It was somewhat embarrassing to tell them that I had been plastering and painting until past midnight, after a full day with a lively toddler, and home-school.

I'm now undergoing a course of physiotherapy (I'm still on the painkillers) and all from pushing myself too far for just a few days. I have been diagnosed with a trapped nerve in my neck, and probably ligament damage in my right elbow.

I've only just started typing again, more than a month after I injured myself.

So a note to all those other lunatic avid DIYers out there - and to remind myself in future - here are the lessons I have learned from this, one of my most spectacularly idiotic mistakes.

1. It's not a crime to take a break.
2. It's not weak to stop when you feel pain.
3. It's not ditzy to change to an easier job when you feel stiff and sore.
4. It's not clever to dose yourself up on painkillers and caffeine to mask either pain or fatigue.

5. You are not invincible ! 

Darn it!!

PS. The room is not finished.