It's a Couch/Football Watching Kinda' Day!!

**Alynn** · 10-24-2010, 10:06 AM

Well, I'm having a major pain flare up, left side of neck through top of left shoulder. Must've done something to really tick that nerve off, again!

So it's back to the couch, and watching football all day! Not what I had intended at all! I had plans to work in my garage, straightening, cleaning, re-arranging, etc...

It is really depressing. I'm not the most athletic person in the world, but I've never had issues with doing whatever I put my mind to, as long as I was motivated. However, with this spine issue, I find it more difficult to be able to do the daily things that need doing around here...

I feel like I could get back to my life, if I could just get the pain under control, as you all know. I know there are no "super cures", and I just have to take it as it comes, I guess I just needed to vent a little.... (Although I do enjoy watching NFL football, and napping on Sunday afternoons.) Not what I had planned today, though.

Thank you all for "listening". It helps tremendously!!!

**Cindylou** · 10-24-2010, 11:54 AM

Alynn, sorry for your "forced downtime." And yes, it's depressing....how could it not be? Most people have an inner drive "to do," "to achieve" and be contributing members of society. Not to mention the sense of accomplishment we all need to feel from doing "a job well done." When we are robbed of doing, creating, helping, completing, well..... it can just wreck havoc with our sense of self worth. I think this is where each of our spine journey's forces us to see things in a new way, find other avenues to seek accomplishment as we adjust to our "new normal." It's tough. I'd want to be out there tackling the garage like you. A good fall project for sure. Maybe you could hire a teenager in your neighborhood to help get the job done? Meanwhile, we are always hear to listen, so remember that. We all need that "good vent" from time to time. I do hope your neck/shoulder pain calms down soon. Hang in there and enjoy this afternoon's round of football! Cindylou

**Alynn** · 10-24-2010, 12:10 PM

Cindylou:

Thanks for the encouragement!!! You make me feel better, already!

I actually have a teenaged son, and he just got a new car, and will be needing a little extra gas mondy this week, so I think I will enlist his help, and try to get that garage shaped up a little, probably tomorrow. I took a couple of days off work this week, so we'll see how it goes...

You know things are pretty sad, when you're son and your father have more social life than you do.

Hope you are doing well this morning! Take care and thanks again!

**KBear** · 10-24-2010, 03:10 PM

Originally Posted by Alynn

You know things are pretty sad, when you're son and your father have more social life than you do.

I used to say that I knew 70 and 80 year olds more active than I was. Sad thing was, it was the truth. My father in law is 76 and golfs at least once a week, works full time and still does all his own yard work, etc. At the time I was barely able to keep my house clean enough to not be unsanitary. It does get better, just takes time and patience. You don't know how many times I thought that it would never end, that why would I be one of the 'lucky ones' to get better and so on. I still feel like pinching myself that I'm really better. I definitely don't take my health or life for granted anymore and I'm lucky to have learned this in my 20's, instead of in later years after life had passed me by.

**Metalneck07** · 10-24-2010, 04:10 PM

Alynn- Sorry to hear about your pain issues. I guess the silver side would be there is plenty of Football to choose from.

I know how frustrating it is to not be able to do what you want because of the pain.

I feel absolutely robbed by my body. I use to do it all. Take care the house,the kids,the lawn,house projects. Plus I ran 3-4 miles a day along with weightlifting 4x a week. I never stopped 24/7 . The only way I have been able to cope is that slowing down let's you stop and smell the Roses. I enjoy my children more. We have movie night every week because I had spent so much time either on the couch or in bed. This is time that I may never had slowed down for if it had not been for my issues.
Well I think you see where I'm going with this. I hope your feeling a bit better this afternoon. Remember taking care of you is the most important thing now. Everything else will come with time. Take care you are in my prayers and thoughts.

Caitlin aka Metalneck07