Things are a bit slow this morning. Who am I kidding? It’s afternoon already and still in pyjamas but what a spectacular firework display last night and fun on Bastille Day, our Fête Nationale en France. I’ll do a post on it but in the meantime, here’s something I want to share with you all.
You’ve got to laugh. I must be mad to have let this go on for so long.
This could also happen to YOU if you’re not careful.
At the end of May I seized up in front of the computer – just like that. Stuck in my chair in absolute agony. Doctor came next day, confirmed it was a “sore back” without any examination, “see the physiotherapist”, take painkillers (the ones that gave me an ulcer last time, thank you) and you’ll be as right as rain. Why do people say that? ”Right as rain.” How can rain be right?
What's up doc? Shouldn't we point that the other way?
Things worsened, doc came back same time next week, then the next, then the next. He was impressive at bringing out the credit card machine, to be fair. I couldn’t even get in the car without seizing up. And I still had no idea what was wrong. Meanwhile, making macarons was one of the few things I could still do…
Macarons for the end of year school bake sale...
After seeing doc#2 six weeks later, infiltration treatment was on the menu for a herniated disc. Following the injection, doc warned, “You may just get a sore head, in which case lie flat”. Mon Dieu! He didn’t tell me I would be flat out for over a week with the most skull crushing headaches, propping myself up with orthopedic pillows, not even able to talk but “carry on as normal” chatting on Facebook, blogging to take my mind off things. I just couldn’t speak or sit up, that’s all.
This week was the first time I woke up without having the impression that someone was drilling through my head. In any case, carry out pizzas and sushis were enough motivation to get back in that kitchen. Then came the revelation. I could just see it. Book 2: Mad About Blogging and a Herniated Disc. This photo could be for the book’s spine.
X-ray of a macaronivore's slipped disc
What would be the main theme of the book?
SIT PROPERLY AT THE COMPUTER! We can all get carried away in front of that screen at times but PLEASE, be careful. Ensure that you’re sitting with the screen at eye level and have a good posture. I should have read Carol Gillott’s blog post on bad backs at Paris Breakfasts…
And now for something completely different…
I’m so excited. Mad About Macarons is featured on THE PARTY TIMES ONLINE, the online magazine that accompanies Party Pieces. A couple of recipes from the book are featured, courtesy of Waverley Books, plus they have now posted a fabulous international competition for you all. Just pop on over and tell them why you think the macaron is so special...
Party Times Competition to
Win 10 Mad About Macarons! books
Go on, I don’t have to tell you that they’re gluten free, only about 80 calories each, beautifully crispy meringue shell on the outside with a velvety, voluptious centre, so luxurious, lighter than a cupcake, etc. Be creative! You may just be one of the 10 lucky winners.
And don’t forget to tell your friends – they don’t have to be macaronivores. Although they soon will be… 
"Mad about Macarons! Make Macarons like the French"
Jill, congrats , that is beautiful news you deserve it:)
Sorry about your back, stretch exercises or yoga can help….you have to continue making these magical desserts.
Congratulations on being featured Jill! I’m so happy for you!! I’m sorry you have been experiencing so much pain since the end of May. It’s awfully a long long time to be in pain. Sorry I can’t offer to help but cheering you up. I do watch out my back as I read this…thinking this could happen to me. Take good care Jill. Thinking of you.
I’ve herniated L5 twice, so I am extremely sympathetic to your plight. My doctors said it would get better in three months and that was the case both times. I hope yours heals faster.
oh, no! I knew you said you had back pain, but I had no idea it was a herniated disk.
Hope you’re feeling better.
Meanwhile, your caption about the macaronivore’s slipped disk = hysterical! And congrats on your PARTY TIMES feature!
Oh no, Jill I hope you are doing okay. I hear you, I had to take a break for a bit myself because of my wrists. I hope you get some rest. I love all those macarons, you have me hooked.
-Gina-
Oh, you poor thing!!! But, as always, you made me laugh in spite of your pain. Hope you’ll be on the mend soon, my friend!
Oh my goodness this sounds horrible. I don’t know what is worst hurting and not knowing what was wrong or finally figuring it out and being in more pain. Hope you can continue to heal. Best wishes!
Ohh I had that kind of headache two weeks ago and thought that my head will overheat or explode..:)) I do hope that your back got better after injections!
Congrats on the feature…
Congrats on your magazine feature! And I DO hope your back is on the mend really soon! : )
You’ve got a herniated disc and you still find it in yourself to make macs? That is total macaron love
.
Anyways, I do hope you are feeling more like yourself again very soon!
*get well kisses* HH
Bach Ache, you have my sympathy, scrub ache for PAIN. I did a similar thing switching off a radiator in the middle of the night because it was making a knocking sound! Six weeks later I couldn’t believe I’d taken part in such a dangerous sport…Glad you are feeling better and can view a macaron spine with a sense of humour. All I can say is ‘ looking forward to the rest of the macaroon body! ‘
I hope you get well soon…
Oh my! Hopefully this recovery lasts, because splitting migraines can be absolutely awful!
It’s almost like you wrote this post for me! I feel your pain, with my back being bad right now… But yours sounds so much worse than mine! Sounds horrible… Hope it gets fixed soon.. Love your humor & the xray of your spine… of course your spine would be made of macarons! Hugs to you… Get well quick!
Jill….I felt so bad for you while reading this! I’m sorry it went on for so long!! As I was reading your post I started to sit up straighter and straighter. I truly hope your back problems are in your past now! Anyway, I love the spine photo… clever as always!
beautiful pictures colourful macaroons
Sorry to hear about your back! A stack of macarons does really look like spine though – very creative!
I just sat up straight while reading this. So sorry for all the pain you have endured. We didn’t even know – you just kept posting pictures of beautiful French scenery and delicious macarons without complaining. I hope you get relief soon. Thanks for the tip on the giveaway. I am going there now….
Thank you so much for all your lovely comments. Yes, I’ve been keeping going but didn’t want to sound an old moan. Just wanted to ensure that you all pay attention in front of that screen!
So sorry you’ve been experiencing such pain. Gotta say that you make better macarons while ill than I could ever make all in one piece.
Fingers crossed that you’re 100% soon.
Notice I didn’t say right as rain.
Happy Bastile Day! I am so sorry to hear about your back, I find that I have to sit in a hard chair to do my work, or my back gets really bad. I also sufffer from a few herniated discs and a few bulging..lol…nothing in moderation for me! In fact I tried a device called a teeter, an inversion table and it worked wonders for me, I ordered one for home, I’m hoping it offers relief. Getting old is rough, but it still beats the alternative!
Cheers
Dennis
As I was reading through your post, my back got more and more erect. Jill, this is HORRIBLE. I am so sorry! I had to have a series of MRIs this summer because of crazy headaches/migraines. I know first hand how awful the pain can be. I am so glad that today the pain broke. I am sending you positive energy that the pain stays far, far away! HUGS!
Sorry to hear about your back. You are right, we all spend so long at the computer with bad posture. Eeek I am taking the warning from you. Love the slipped disc macarons lol!
Sorry to hear about your back problems. I’m on my way to check out that contest!
Congratulations on being featured in their site! How exciting! I LOVE your book and am headed over right now to see if I can win one! Your macarons are amazing by the way!!!
xoxo
OMG!!!
How did I mess this!?
Of course a stack of macarons look like a spinal column.
Hell in yr case that’s probably what you’ve got in there.
I had the same thing darling.
Massage 3X a week did wonders + the TENS Unit
Now who’s nagging
Ha!
Is that why I got it?
Because of a messed up, uneven stack of maccies inside?
Is being macaron-obsessed bad for ze back?
Qui sait…
Must think on this a bit.
GET BETTER SOON.
xxCarolg
As always, fantastic macarons. I can’t even make a decent one when I’m perfectly alright. I hope you get better soon. I know how it feels.
omigoodness Jill, I’m so sorry to hear that you’ve been in such pain! =( you are a trooper for even thinking about baking during that time. I hope you’re feeling lots better… congrats on the magazine feature! =)
How horrible about your back…and such a long time for the doctors to take care of it. I hope you are feeling much better soon.
And congratulations on your feature
Por dios! You’ve got me worried now, I seem to be developing a slight hunch! Hope you feel better soon those migraines sound like hell!!
You poor thing! I hope your back feels better soon. We really do need one of those super duper chairs sitting in front of the PC.
So cool to be featured at The Party Times! I love your book. I need to absorb it a little more before I start on my maiden batch. I bought the silicone baking mat. I’m getting there…
Great googly moogly! Reading this just made MY spine seize. I’m so glad to hear the headaches have retreated. Maybe the fireworks helped…
Heading over to Party Time to go rave about macarons
Feel better!
Ouch that really stinks about your back! I like your idea though of using that photo for the spine!!
Dear god, woman! What a horrible thing to endure for so long! I got a good giggle out of the macarons as spine with slipped disc shot though. Funny! I so, so want one of your books, I am off to try my luck!