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April 2007

Monday, April 09, 2007

One thing I have noticed that helps me through tough times with my arthritis is the ability to whine when I’m not feeling well. It usually starts out as a dull complaint, then grows into an attitude and generally ends with a full-blown whine about what hurts and why it’s not fair. And the truly lucky have someone who is compassionate and nice enough to listen while they whine. It makes the whining feel effective – even though you’re whining for yourself and not for someone else. Nonetheless letting it all out really makes a difference.

This week has been full of whines – how the hands hurt, the back hurts, nights are sleepless, ankles still ache, and on and on – and if not for the whining it would all be pent up inside.

Which makes this week a little more bearable – I have a been doing a good job whining. I’ve also tried to take care of myself with extra care: going to the gym (!!), eating really really healthy food, full night’s of sleep and extra long hugs.

We can’t forget the hugs. They keep the world moving. Especially when you hurt and you wished like heck that you didn’t.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Here’s how I feel today:

Imagine taking a 10-foot battering ram. The kind that was recently featured on “Road Rules / Real World Challenge” and requires a team of 6-8 people (previously appearing on either “Road Rules” or “Real World”, of course) to heave and ho back and forth to gain enough momentum to batter down an old castle door.

Now picture me, standing directly in the path of the battering ram, between it and the door. Three direct hits to the back, and that’s roughly how I feel today after playing golf for the first time all season yesterday.

Not exaggerating. Am I crazy or just a lunatic for wanting to play again? Is the pain and soreness the next day (AKA week) worth the few hours of holding a stick and knocking a tiny ball? You bet your battering ram it is.