How I Lived 30 Days with a Broken Neck (And Didn't Know It)

Have you ever ignored your body's signals, dismissing them as "just a hangover" or "sore muscles"?

I did, and it nearly cost me everything.

This is the story of how I broke my neck, walked around for a month without knowing it, and how it transformed my approach to health and self-advocacy.

Just Another Hangover... Or Was It?

Picture this: It's September 30th, and I'm waking up with what I thought was just another killer hangover. You know the drill – head pounding, light feels like daggers, and the overwhelming urge to become one with your couch. This was my typical weekend routine, a badge of honor I wore with a mix of pride and regret.

I spent that day in a fog, drifting in and out of consciousness, my body feeling like I'd been hit by a truck filled with tequila. Little did I know, this wasn't just any hangover. This was the beginning of a life-changing experience.

The Pain That Wouldn't Quit

Fast forward to Sunday. Usually, I'd be shaking off the hangover by now, ready to face the world, but something was off. As I lifted up my mug of daily lemon water into the microwave, a sharp pain shot through the back of my neck. It was like someone had replaced my vertebrae with a white-hot poker.

Being super stubborn, I ignored it. I mean, who hasn't woken up with a few mystery aches after a wild night, right?

Doctor's Orders (or Lack Thereof)

A few days passed, and the pain wasn't letting up. Now, you need to understand something about me – I avoid doctors like they're selling timeshares. The mere thought of needles makes me want to curl up in a ball. But this pain? It was bad enough to make me face my fears and drag myself to urgent care.

The doc took one look at me and basically said, "Eh, you're fine. Just some sore muscles. Walk it off, champ." Now, I'm no stranger to the gym. I know sore muscles. This felt like there was something really wrong with my neck.

The Night Everything Changed

Cut to 3 AM, about a week later. I woke up feeling like an elephant was sitting on my chest. The pain was so intense I couldn't even take my hand off my chest. Heart attack? Aliens trying to burst out of my ribcage?

I had no clue, but I knew it was bad.

Did I call 911 like a rational person? Nah. I white-knuckled it until the urgent care opened at 7 AM. (Pro tip: Don't be like me. If you think you're having a heart attack, call the damn ambulance.)

The Diagnosis That Wasn't

After some poking, prodding, and an EKG, they hit me with a diagnosis: costochondritis. Fancy word for "your chest joints are inflamed." They threw some meds at me and sent me on my merry way.

Two weeks later, I still couldn't lift my arms over my head without feeling an intense pain in the back of my neck in a very pinpointed spot. For a fitness junkie like me, this was torture. I needed answers.

X-Marks the Spot (Where My Life Changed)

I finally dragged myself to my GP, who also happened to be a sports medicine doc. (Hey, when you're as accident-prone and active as I am, that a HUGE plus in a Doctor) He ordered an X-ray, probably just to shut me up.

I'll never forget that day. I had a hair appointment right after (priorities, right?), and the X-ray tech was chatting away like we were at a coffee shop. Then she saw the first image. The room got real quiet, real fast.

Next thing I know, I'm overhearing words like "fracture" and "immediate attention." My brain short-circuited. Fracture? Me? Nah, couldn't be. I'd been walking around, attempting workouts, living my life for a month!

The Verdict: I Broke My Neck

The next day, I found myself face-to-face with a spine specialist who had all the bedside manner of a cactus. His words hit me like a freight train: "Your neck is broken. You need a cervical collar. Indefinitely."

Cue the waterworks and the panicked call to my office. "Hey, boss? Yeah, funny story. Remember that “sickness” from a month ago? Turns out it was a broken neck. I need to work from home for a while…"

The Silver Lining (Because There's Always One, Right?)

Now, I could sit here and mope about how I nearly paralyzed myself by being a stubborn mule. But that's not my style. This whole ordeal? It was a wake-up call, wrapped in a neck brace, served with a side of humility.

It pushed me to reevaluate everything – my lifestyle, my diet, my relationship with my body. I dove headfirst (carefully, this time) into nutrition research. I became a plant-based eating machine, fueling my recovery with foods that made my body sing instead of scream. I walked down to the local organic market every couple days and filled a backpack full of fresh fruits and veggies (because I still coun't drive) and would get interesting looks because I had a neck brace on but also a smile across my face as I picked out my delicious produce in the store.

The Comeback Kid

Three months in a cervical collar gave me a lot of time to think. When I finally got the green light to start rehab, I attacked it with the fervor of a caffeinated squirrel.

My physical therapists were floored. "We've never seen anyone heal this fast," they'd say, scratching their heads. Little did they know, I had a secret weapon: a diet packed with raw, whole foods that turned my body into a healing powerhouse.

Lessons Learned (The Hard Way)

1) Listen to your body. It's not just being dramatic; it might be saving your life.

2) Doctors are smart, but you know your body best. If something feels off, push for answers.

3) A plant-based diet isn't just for hippies. It's for anyone who wants to heal like Wolverine.

4) Hangovers suck, but broken necks suck more. This was the doorway to me getting sober.

The Takeaway

Fast forward to today, and I'm in the best shape of my life. My neck break is a distant memory, my days are still packed with more greens than a football field, and this saga of mine? It makes your most epic weekend adventure seem as exciting as watching paint dry. This whole ordeal has turned me into a walking, talking testament to the power of listening to your body and fueling it right.

Remember, folks: Your body's always talking to you. Sometimes it whispers, sometimes it screams. But if you ignore it long enough, it might just decide to break your neck to get your attention.

Stay healthy, stay aware, and for the love of all that's holy, if you're blacking out and not remembering injuries, it may be time to face some truths about yourself.

Peace, love, and neck braces!

P.S. I just hit 16 months of being Alcohol-free!! One of the best decisions I've made for my body as I age!