My working week this week, is Monday - Wednesday and I can't think of any other description for it, except for... it sucks. It may be me and how we're all feeling but Monday isn't great, Tuesday, I leave home at 6.25am. I arrive at the car park at 6.33 and it opens at 7.07am. I'm frozen and I've lost 30 minutes. The day gets worse and I end up with a lump in my throat desperately trying not to cry for the best part of the afternoon.
The day is the worst, we have a meeting, I try not to speak because my music teacher Miss Matthews once told me, or at least said in my presence, 'if you don't have anything positive to say, don't say anything.' So because nothing I could add would be positive, I barely spoke. Unfortunately, the one contribution I did make, upset someone and they made it very clear that they were not happy with me, to say the least. I have to add that she's not a happy or sociable person anyway, so it didn't take much.
I spent most of the day in silence, because that's how work is, no one speaks to you, apart from my friend who sends me instant messages from the next bank of desks and who cheers me up, I'd be totally miserable without him.
I finish work as soon as I can and head for B's, I'm taking her to the airport for her trip to NZ. I've had a really crappy day but must not offload or cry to B. I'd love to be on a plane tonight and I am so jealous but I summon my inner Dame Judi Dench and act as if I am not. B has done pretty well when I arrive around 3.15pm to take her to the airport. She has a well earned reputation for running behind schedule but even if she's been up all night, she's pretty close to being ready. She spends the next 45 minutes writing birthday cards and anniversary cards for me to post, and taking out rubbish before we leave. She also gives me ninety Christmas cards to stick postage stamps on the front and return address stickers on the back, after I've done that, I need to post them early December. Can I just say that no, the labels are not straight and she should be lucky I stuck them all on and didn't just tell her I'd done it ;) Took me an hour. Any recipient will instantly know that B did not stick those stickers, her stickers would have been perfectly straight.
So I deposit B at the airport and wave her in then hit the motorway home again. I get home around 12 hours after I left then promptly sliced and diced my finger while I was making dinner. I'm not overly squeamish but found myself saying out loud, 'you're fine, it's fine, don't look at it, it'll stop bleeding in a second.' Think it could have used 1 or 2 stitches but I stuck it together with a plaster so it'll be fine in a few days. Sore though.
I have to rewind to Monday. I pulled a muscle in my back when I was in school, around the age of 13 maybe? I remember my Mum coming to pick me up and I'm not sure what happened after that but it's always been a weak spot since then.
I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in 2004, I think, maybe 2005. Anyway, I had an x-ray on my neck and OA was confirmed in my neck and shoulders, 'significant deterioration' was mentioned and that it was unusual in someone my age. After a really painful and tricky 6 months, it eased off a bit in my neck but my back has continually got worse. My GP said no to an x-ray on my back about 2 years ago because if I have OA in my neck.. it will be in my back apparently so it would be a waste of time, but she did recommend Pilate's.
I trust Pilate's, I know it's excellent for core and therefore back but for a while, I couldn't afford Pilate's classes in monetary terms or in time due to my early starts.
23 months ago, I contacted a local physio clinic to enquire how much a session would be. My back has been pretty bad for at least 6 weeks and in the end, I wondered if this is how it is, then so be it, I'll carry on as I have done but if there is something I can do to help it, then I want to try. I decided to contact the physio clinic again and book an appointment.
And so I booked an appointment for a physio session. My session was Monday. The building is prominent but the entrance discreet which I loved. The receptionist was welcoming and professional while simultaneously telling and showing a trainee how to deal with a new client and what to do.
After 10 minutes of filling out a chart and drinking a de-caff coffee, Johnny arrived. A slim, tall, Irishman with a very comfortable manor and easy going personality. I was expecting to feel uncomfortable with a male physio because frankly, as you know, I attract weirdo's. Not Johnny though, he is an exception, he made me feel totally at ease.
Long story short, my left shoulder is practically glued to my left ear. It's very high, much higher than my right, as is my left shoulder blade. I have a weakness in my left back, even lying down, my right back muscles protrude, can only imagine it's because they've been doing all of the work? For a minute, Johnny thinks my left pelvis and hip my be higher than the right and I try hard not to laugh because all I can think of is Rachel from Friends and Dr Bobby, who thinks she has one leg shorter than the other.
After a brilliant display of my flexibility, (I can touch the floor and not just my toes... with ease and no groaning,) good news is that my left pelvis and hip are the only left things not higher than the right. So after analysing me and my performing a few stretches and gentle moves, I get 30 minutes treatment. After just 30 minutes of the magical Johnny, I actually feel better. I sleep like a log and the next morning, I sit up in bed, without wincing, for the first time in years. I'm a little sore, but only like I've exercised and not like I've been run over by a bus. My next appointment is over 2 weeks away and I'm a little disappointed, I'd go back today if I could.
I have stretches to do and the main problem with those is actually remembering to do them. I need to adjust my chair in work and how I sit on it and I need to concentrate on my posture as I'm very rounded. So I'm wandering around, (when I remember,) presenting my chest to the world like a proud peacock and I feel very self conscious... but my back does feel better. Johnny is a genius.
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