The human capacity for burden is flexible

I finished my third round of physical therapy today. Over the past two weeks, I have seen some improvement to my back, including getting a diagnosis following an MRI and X-ray. Two bulging discs and arthritis inflammation. I am awaiting insurance approval to schedule a cortisone shot which should neutralize the pain and allow the area to continue healing.

This new chronic pain began almost five months ago, presenting as lower back pain, something not entirely new, but it had been quite some time. After about two months, the longest stretch of back pain (far exceeding the week it may have lasted other times) finally gave way. At the same time, I started getting pains in my left leg, which got so bad I could only walk with a limp. I finally went to the doctor–and then another doctor and then another doctor. I was prescribed steroids to help and later an anti-inflammatory medicine. The doctors didn’t think anything was structurally wrong and didn’t schedule an MRI until the physical therapist strongly suggested it. Every doctor I talked to told me I didn’t have a bulging disc–until two of them showed up on the MRI.

 

Two weeks ago I began sleeping with six pillows under my left leg. That was the first and only position I have found that allows enough relief to let me sleep. (Oh, glorious sleep. I’m so grateful I have found you again!) Over the past three weeks, I have had four physical therapy sessions and taken four acupuncture treatments from Swanson Acupuncture, located at the Growing Roots Chiropractor building. Between those and the new sleeping position, which takes the pressure off of the nerve pinched by the bulging discs, I have finally seen about a 10 percent improvement. I was very surprised, and grateful, the acupuncture helped. The first session was incredibly relaxing, the second, not really, but, the second session I was able to tell Michelle about the results of the MRI, so she was able to pinpoint the care around those specific nerves. The result, less pain.

 

Over this time of pain, I have done very little newspapering. I put together the classified sections each week, special sections, and oversee the operation of each newspaper. The only newspaper assignment I completed, aside from the occasional column, was covering New Richland Prom. I wanted to give Deb a break. Also, I have taken those photos every year, aside from maybe one, since I was 22-years old. I took over the responsibility from former photographer Chris Schlaak and consider it a privilege to photograph important events. (The one year I didn’t cover prom I asked Deb, because she, too, is a professional.)

 

Coming up I plan to attend the NRHEG graduation ceremony along with as many baseball games as I can attend. It is painful to stand, painful to sit (although less, depending on the seat), and even worse to lie down. I hope the games are available electronically on the NSHS network, like the basketball games and wrestling tournament were. If not for that, I would have been incredibly sad not to be able to watch NRHEG athletes compete. High school sports, specifically the Panthers, are my favorite sporting events to watch.

 

"The human capacity for burden is like bamboo – far more flexible than you'd ever believe at first glance." — Jodi Picoult