09/28/2026
Candidly, this year got off to a rough start - I ended up at an urgent care on February 8th, Super Bowl Sunday, with crippling abdominal pain … and that is no exaggeration! A coughing fit from the flu set off a lifting-related injury I’d picked up during a week of hard manual labor back in September of 2025. While I was never able to get a CT (doctors are the only profession worse than lawyers), by process of elimination, it seems I had a severe abdominal strain, probably a torn internal oblique. Almost 8 months later - I’m nearly healed.
I don’t know exactly how I’ve managed to accomplish much of anything this year. In February, I couldn’t get off the couch without flipping onto my stomach and sliding off, butt-first. In March, I couldn’t walk more than 100 yards from my house. In April, I gained some mobility back, but was in constant pain. Around June, as my abs healed, my back began to have problems from months of overcompensation. It’s only been in the past week that I’ve been able to sleep through most of the night, go through most of the day pain-free, and do things like tie my shoes and play guitar while sitting, without being in pain.
I won’t go so far as to say I’m grateful for the experience; however, there is value in living through pain. Anyone who's read my book knows I don’t struggle with empathy, but this year has made it a whole lot easier to understand those who struggle with physical limitations and live their lives in constant pain and discomfort.
Despite all of this, The Longhair Lifestyle has trucked along, and so have I!
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