I literally hobbled into the hotel in Lafayette, Indianna at midnight. We had to be out of our old home and wanted to get a few miles down the road toward our new home. We never dreamed we would be so late.
There we were nearly 200 miles from our old home in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois and 400 miles from our new home in New Tazewell, Tennessee. Our two cars were packed to the gills, and we had Odie, The Terrific Terrier who got away from us at check-in and was exploring the hotel. Thankfully, the night manager was aware of my condition and recovered the wayward canine.
I awoke the next morning, tense and troubled. The remaining 400 miles may as well been an international trip. I could not imagine how I would endure it. I hurt. Patty had to pick up my leg to raise it high enough to get into the car. Sitting was uncomfortable. Getting up and trying to walk was a long, painful process. Frankly, my butt hurt, and my shoulders were beginning to hurt. Ironically, it all happened when we were on a tight schedule to close on both homes.
These maladies seemed to spring from earlier injuries. I injured my right shoulder about three years ago when I fell of a ladder. A cortisone shot and therapy got me back to full function. About a year later a similar thing happened on the left shoulder when I was setting our merchant’s tent. I had a small tear in the rotator cuff, bursitis, inflammation, and some other issues, but had a similar recovery.
Last summer I got sciatica from setting on our couch that wore out way too soon. Walking was painful, but I was able to sit elsewhere and exercise my way out of it. The shoulder and butt pain began getting worse in the early spring. I thought I could exercise my way out of pain again, but it didn’t work, and we had to pack. I determined to do what I needed to do and seek medical attention later. Later came sooner than I hoped.
I relented to the unmanaged pain and the persistent voices of those around me and sought out an urgent care center in Lafayette. I couldn’t go on the way things were. A sense of relief began to flow just knowing things might get better.
I walked up to the receptionist’s window, and she asked, “What brings you in?” I replied with a summary description of my pain, ending with, “I just need something for this pain!” Then I sat down to await my turn. My retired nurse wife whispered in my ear, “You just got labeled a drug addict.” The young PA and I had a laugh as I tried to convince her I am not a druggie.
She gave me several medications, and they worked giving me three to four good days. Since then, I have had five visits to a local orthopedist, x-rays, MRI’s, two oral doses of steroids, and four cortisone shots. Each time they are good for about three days. Because of potential side effects, I can’t have anymore for several weeks. Also, I have had four sessions of physical therapy. My therapist says it usually takes four to eight weeks of therapy to notice significant improvement.
In general, pain has been a nearly constant companion for about three months.
I get by. I have a spot on my back that hasn’t had a good washing for a while. I usually need help getting my shirt on and off, and I can only go for short rides and usually do not drive. I can’t lift anything heavy with my left arm or reach very far. It seems like being somewhat active, but careful works best.
My most intense pain is in my left shoulder, but I still have the butt pain, some pain in the right shoulder, and a weird feeling in the back of my knees.
I appreciate prayers that I get back to normal. I have been feeling old and frail. My seventy-three-year-old doctor reminded me that I am no spring chicken.
