Human frailty
What else can go wrong?
We came back from France a few months ago, which means hoisting things in and out of overhead compartments on airplanes. Then, a few days after arrival, I went to the Providence Public Library without my sweet-little-old-lady library bag and came out with four heavy books and two “I LOVE MY LIBRARY” t-shirts. I walked for at least twenty minutes balancing thirty pounds of cargo – oh, that’s right, I stopped at CVS to buy some candy.
Two days later, my right shoulder began to ache.
Two days after that, I couldn’t raise my arm. I couldn’t put on a shirt without screaming with pain. I couldn’t lift a box of Junior Mints from the table.
I reconciled myself to this, though the blinding pain. I assured myself that I could make it through life somehow with one arm.
Then, after consulting WebMD and applying a heating pad and doing some physical-therapy exercises I learned from Partner, most of the pain went away.
It still twangs once in a while, and reminds me that it’s there. Naturally the words “rotator cuff” peal in my head.
And I remember what I heard a health professional say once: “Once you begin going downhill, you might slow down a bit here and there, or delay, but you never really stop going downhill.”
How cheerful!
Here’s a toast: to going downhill.
I hope the scenery along the way is nice.
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About Loren Williams
Gay, partnered, living in Providence, working at a local university. Loves: books, movies, TV. Comments and recriminations can be sent to futureworldonline@verizon.net.
Just so long as the important part still works, otherwise depression sets in….
Most of the important parts still work. For now.
I’m guessing it was buying the candy that put your shoulder over the edge!
Maybe. But the candy was necessary.
I’ve noticed that with aging I am very good at hurting myself. I don’t have to do much these days to strain a muscle and it’s probably the same with you. I only have to look at a heavy bag of shopping and I can feel my back go. If I sit too long at the computer, I get a stiff neck. If I read too long my eyes go ‘funny’. The list is endless. Almost every part of me needs extra care and attention these days.
I wish I’d been more thoughtful and caring to older folk when I was a slip of a thing!
Hope your shoulder is soon better.
Everything is too fragile. I’m MUCH more careful than I used to be: I don’t want to slip on the ice, or fall down the stairs. I don’t take chances.