My back hurts..

About three weeks ago I became aware that I had a pain in my lower back. Obviously I ignored it and carried on surfing and training thinking it would go away.But following three weeks of manically smothering myself in deep heat to numb the pain, and developing a hobble which resembled something from the back streets of Dickensian London, I finally decided it was probably time to go and see someone about it.I managed to get at appointment with Stephen Masters at Litchdon Street chiropractor's. Who had been looking at my back for all of 20 seconds when he said: "Did you do gymnastics as a child?""Yes from the age of about five to fourteen..""Ah... There is a chance you may a have a stress fracture in your back, it's really common amongst people who used to be gymnasts."Next thing I know I'm strapped into a slightly ancient looking machine, which looks like it may have been stolen from the set of Return to Oz, having an X-Ray done on my back.Stephen told me he would ring me with the results, as I had to get back to Journal towers on mount Roundswell. The phone rang."Hi Chloe it's Stephen, I'm afraid you have got that stress fracture in your spine."I'm gutted, my head is swimming and all I can picture are images of myself trapped in some kind of metal back brace, with my mates wheeling me around the Marisco."What does this mean?""Thirteen weeks of treatment in the rehab gym twice a week."Further discussion with Stephen revealed that it's not as severe as it originally sounded, in fact the injury means if anything that I am sentenced to a lifetime of physical activity- fine by me, I'm a self confessed excersise junkie. Stephen also told me that the worst that could happen is that I end up in surgery having pins put in my back if the rehab doesn't work.The following day I flew to Barcelona for a week for Summercase festival, where there is no surf, but plenty of alcohol, so when I flew back on Tuesday my back wasn't feeling too bad, having not been put in under any strain, apart from some pretty enthusiastic dancing to Blondie- who were amazing.However, the surf came up on Tuesday night and I merrily skip down the beach feeling stupidly invincible after a week in the sun. Almost straight away as I get out back and sit on my board I'm aware I'm in pain. several waves later and I'm really in pain... I get out and realise I'm probably not going to be able to surf for a while.13 weeks in fact... What am I going to do in North Devon without surfing for 13 weeks?Presently I am filling my diary with exciting things to do, last night I got boozy with the sports team as Chris Rogers, sports editor extraordinaire is leaving.Tonight, after an hour on the cross trainer (non weight bearing) I intend to probably get boozy again as Chris is having another leaving party.I'm really hoping I can find something more to do with my time other than drink...