Time for a complete overhaul or makeover?
I no longer have that spring in my step, looked like the springs in every joint have rustedπ
The holidays brought many guests to Lily's Cottage, which I'm thankful for but it was especially hard on me - every joint in my body eventually ached.
I have to remember that this body's taken over seven decades of pounding and is showing wear and tear; neck, shoulders, back, hips, and knees, not forgetting the feet, of course!
But, in my defense, we have many staircases, and I had no other choice. It was year-end holidays, and my staff were away. An awful legacy of Apartheid is that black South Africans lost their land in the cities and were moved away from the cities, so many of their traditional family homes are in the rural areas. Naturally, they want to go home and gather with their families over Christmas and New Year. I did get help from other quarters, at times, but it's the daily grind that still takes time.
At least I exceeded my daily target of 7000 steps most days during the holidays!
My lower joints did not approve of overdoing it though!
Neck and shoulders complained about having to handle bulk linen like duvets and sheets!
Eventually, every joint in my body was in agony, but there was no time to go for physio, so I just popped pills every day!
I could not wait to get behind those gates!
MRI scans of my shoulder and neck were done just before Christmas. The orthopedic was closing that day for the holidays and called me briefly when he had the results
A pinched nerve was causing the alarming episodes of numbness and shocks, no cause for alarm yet, but not to be ignored, so he referred me to a Neurosurgeon. The rotator cuff has a large tear and will need surgery, he said.
I put all that on the back burner as everyone was closing down, the Neurosurgeon was already away on leave, and things were hectic with guests coming and going. The neurosurgeon is back tomorrow, and I'm his first patient of the year, hopefully, he will have good news about a more conservative treatment option for the neck.
Things are now back to normal with my staff returning, so off to the Physiotherapist I went last week.
I love the old house with the wrap-around verandah and broekie-lace where her rooms are. Tells a story of a bygone era when life was lived at a much slower pace!
Perhaps that is where we go wrong, trying to fit too much into the hours each day.
She naturally cannot touch the neck and shoulders, but has greatly relieved the pain in my lower ball and socket jointsπ It's as if the 'rust' disappeared by magic and I can move freely again!
When I showed her the MRI report, she looked at me seriously and said -
So, you have two issues here, neck and shoulder. Your neck MRI is bad. You're seeing a surgeon, right? He's likely not going to opt for conservative treatment with this kind of result.
The shoulder tear is large, but that's a separate issue that someone who specializes in shoulders needs to fix. That will have to wait; the neck can't!
She knows me well and was just being straight. Scolded me for being impatient and not asking for help when doing tasks a 70-plus woman should not even contemplate doing.
It's not easy when you're impatient and have the will of a mule!
As I said earlier, my hips and knees are starting to smile again after just two treatments, one more on Tuesday!
The Neurosurgeon I chose to see is the same surgeon who performed successful brain surgery on Mom Lily. He is a young man, kind, and attentive, and explained her procedure in detail, so I have full confidence in him.
I'm still hoping he will opt for more conservative treatment but I'll have to wait and see!
I'll admit to being a tiny bit nervous and don't have anyone to hold my hand, so please send positive vibes my way, or say a little prayer if you will.
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Artwork by @artywink
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Artwork by @artywink