Myriam   Thiong Kay’s story began one day while she was visiting her mother. They were   having a good time talking, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. Then   Myriam tried to get up and found that she couldn’t due to sharp pain in her   sides and lower back. Experiencing   so much difficulty doing something that should have been easy was alarming.   So Myriam and her mother called the family doctor for a quick consultation.   Upon close examination, the diagnosis of acute back pain emerged. The doctor   prescribed treatments and ordered fifteen-day bedrest. Thus began the ordeal   of her life.