In late 80's and early 90's, I used to live in Vikaspuri, New Delhi. One day, I had a stiff neck. I could not turn around. Probably I had slept in a wrong position, that resulted in a neck pain; it will go away tomorrow! I assured myself. But that was not to be so. The pain started to grow.

My friend SD, came visiting the next day. He had been diagnosed of spondylolysis a few weeks ago. He used to wear a dog collar on a regular basis. When he heard of my symptoms, his face lit up! He exclaimed you too have spondylolysis! He was about my age group and so probably happy to find company.

He then philosophized as to how one should not demean others of their medical condition, lest God afflicts them of the same punishments and so on. He was referring to my calling his neck support the dog collar.  Anyways, after the initial exuberation, he sobered up and insisted me to accompany him to the best  spondylolysis clinic around that area, “World famous in Vikaspuri”, I guessed. The doctor's fees was on bit of on the expensive side, but then, I should not pinch pennies when it came to health concerns, he advised.

Surely, after duly hearing me out patiently, and as SD had diagnosed, the doctor too diagnosed me of spondylolysis! He placed his finger  in the right pain spots and also he pressed at few other points that subdued my pain. So, I was impressed. Didn't I need an X-Ray?  “Who's the doctor?” said the doc. Angrily. That shut me up. He also advised me not to exercise.

Now that was totally unacceptable to me. Exercising was my only sunshine of my busy working day, of a software engineering job. And, I would never let it go. The district center greens, the birds (both of the feathered and un-feathered kind), those early morning nods from the park walkers. No, I could never give it up,  spondylolysis or no  spondylolysis.

Since the pain, I had in-fact stopped exercising, but after the doctor said no, I resolved to start it again. So the first day I attempted, I was in tears. It pained a lot. I massaged the area, took some pain killers, and had another go the next morning. The pain was unbearable, but the imagery of the dog collared coy existence kept me going. My friend SD kept warning me against it, being concerned that I may land up in a hospital with a broken neck. He even threatened to complain to the doctor. But neither the pain nor the friendly threats could stop me.

Finally, a few days later, there were some audible clicking and crackling sounds while I was exercising. Ah! I though Nostradamus was right, so finally I did break my neck. I quickly called my office saying that I needed a couple of weeks off. Told my parents that I was off to check-into a hospital with a broken neck. My father pointed out to me that I was able to move my neck, freely now, so how come I thought I had broken it?

True, I moved my neck around, looking from side to side. There were some crackling sounds, but no pain! Viola NO PAIN ! For God's sake no pain. Anyways, my colleagues at office were delighted to see me  and my boss was relieved that I had canceled my impromptu leave.

That evening SD was waiting for me, when I came back at 9 PM from office. He had his fill on my story from my father, but still wanted to check it out for himself. I went through the motions and also teased him about this neck support, daring him to free himself.

Seeing me a freeman, and being teased as well, added insult to injury. His face first turned pink, then red, and he left swearing explecitives under his breath, cursing the doctor to no ends. I used to walk him half way home, but he sent me back that day, saying he had to go somewhere else. 

Around 10:30 his family called, asking for SD. They wanted to know if he is dining at my place. I told them that he had left at about an hour ago. Concerned, I decided to take a night walk in the direction he had taken.

I had a hunch, as to where that path led him, and I followed my heart. It took me to the good old spondylolysis doctor's clink.

Sure enough there was a small crowd, enjoying the tamasha! He had the doctor by the stethoscope and the doctor was tugging at his dog collar. He was shouting and gesturing and the nurse was trying to break them loose. A PCR (police van) was parked at a respectable distance. Probably the police was too drunk to intervene or were they were waiting for a brawl to breakout.

When my friend saw me, he gestured at me, shouting at top of his now hoarse voice, telling my story at a rapid pace.  He even asked me to turn my neck as a demonstrator. The doctor, took the cue and     melted inside his clink and shut the door. I calmed him down and walked him to his home.

SD many a times, after that, thought of attempting to exercise. But never had the guts. I advised him to take a second opinion. I don't know if if did. But I saw him less and less of him. He had slowly melted away from my life.

Disclaimer: Please do not use this blog entry to justify exercising against doctor's advise. PLEASE ALWAYS FOLLOW WHAT YOUR DOCTOR SAYS. But, there is always a second opinion at hand.