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I'm as excited as all get out to be almost 50 years old, but I have to admit, I'm feeling older than usual the last day or two. I've had various types of chronic pain to deal with over the course of my 49 years, but of late I have been bothered in particular by two things -- back pain and foot pain.
The back pain isn't often bad, though it is limiting at times, and it does trouble me at night with stiffness -- and it always improves after I walk. The foot pain is getting worse, and is related to plantar fasciitis (it's the heel that is hurting, for the most part). It also troubles me at night -- and feels worse after I walk.
So I have a dilemma, you see. Do I walk so my back won't hurt, but my foot will? Or do I sit so my foot can recover, and my back will get stiff? Decisions, decisions! :-D
I am currently sitting with a hot pad at my back and a cold pack on my foot. Feels nice! I am thinking that the best thing to do here is to do what it takes to heal the foot -- which can happen if I take proper precautions and restorative measures -- and then I can go back to my regular activities. In the meantime, I'll have to find other ways to stretch and exercise my back that don't involve a lot of stress to the foot. I have to get in good shape so I can go camping this summer in the great outdoors, not just in the living room. ;-)
Thanks to those of you who have prayed for my back pain, I really have been sleeping better and less stiffly of late, so that helps immensely with my general outlook on life!
I couldn't find a cheerful poem for verse Thursday that dealt with pain or sore feet, so instead, here is a lovely one I found while researching the poetry of writers from Wisconsin:
That helps put my wee bit of pain into perspective a bit!
May each of you find some transforming shade today that will sooth, hearten and encourage you!
The back pain isn't often bad, though it is limiting at times, and it does trouble me at night with stiffness -- and it always improves after I walk. The foot pain is getting worse, and is related to plantar fasciitis (it's the heel that is hurting, for the most part). It also troubles me at night -- and feels worse after I walk.
So I have a dilemma, you see. Do I walk so my back won't hurt, but my foot will? Or do I sit so my foot can recover, and my back will get stiff? Decisions, decisions! :-D
I am currently sitting with a hot pad at my back and a cold pack on my foot. Feels nice! I am thinking that the best thing to do here is to do what it takes to heal the foot -- which can happen if I take proper precautions and restorative measures -- and then I can go back to my regular activities. In the meantime, I'll have to find other ways to stretch and exercise my back that don't involve a lot of stress to the foot. I have to get in good shape so I can go camping this summer in the great outdoors, not just in the living room. ;-)
Thanks to those of you who have prayed for my back pain, I really have been sleeping better and less stiffly of late, so that helps immensely with my general outlook on life!
I couldn't find a cheerful poem for verse Thursday that dealt with pain or sore feet, so instead, here is a lovely one I found while researching the poetry of writers from Wisconsin:
This Trackless Solitude
Deep in the soul the acres lie
of virgin lands of sacred wood
where waits the Spirit. Each soul bears
this trackless solitude.
The Voice invites, implores in vain
the fearful and the unaware;
but she who heeds and enters in
finds ultimate wisdom there.
The Spirit lights the way for her;
bramble and bush are pushed apart.
He lures her into wilderness
but to rejoice her heart.
Beneath the glistening foliage
the fruit of love hangs always near.
The one immortal fruit: He is
or, tasted: He is here.
Love leads, and she surrenders to
His will, His waylessness of grace.
She speaks no words save his, nor moves
until he marks the place.
Hence all her paths are mystery
presaging a divine unknown.
Her only light is in the creed
that she is not alone.
The soul that wanders, Spirit led,
becomes, in His transforming shade,
the secret that she was, in God
before the world was made.
by Jessica Powers, Carmelite nun, Pewaukee Wisconsin
Deep in the soul the acres lie
of virgin lands of sacred wood
where waits the Spirit. Each soul bears
this trackless solitude.
The Voice invites, implores in vain
the fearful and the unaware;
but she who heeds and enters in
finds ultimate wisdom there.
The Spirit lights the way for her;
bramble and bush are pushed apart.
He lures her into wilderness
but to rejoice her heart.
Beneath the glistening foliage
the fruit of love hangs always near.
The one immortal fruit: He is
or, tasted: He is here.
Love leads, and she surrenders to
His will, His waylessness of grace.
She speaks no words save his, nor moves
until he marks the place.
Hence all her paths are mystery
presaging a divine unknown.
Her only light is in the creed
that she is not alone.
The soul that wanders, Spirit led,
becomes, in His transforming shade,
the secret that she was, in God
before the world was made.
by Jessica Powers, Carmelite nun, Pewaukee Wisconsin
That helps put my wee bit of pain into perspective a bit!
May each of you find some transforming shade today that will sooth, hearten and encourage you!
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no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 04:48 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 04:50 pm (UTC)From:tmi
Date: 2006-05-18 05:16 pm (UTC)From:story plots just about fini
1-10 pains are about a 4 today, so far, last night OMG.
garden is ready for a weeks rain up and coming
Maureen is moving out with her two cats.
family is mostly well
Tine's brother is going into the hospital, with liver failure...yeah not good.
caught up in Sharpe's Havoc and can't put it down.
Cornwell can spin a tale eh?
Maranantha
so thats about it.
I pray you can endure. It take a lot of strength, daily to endure with that Cross. I know.
Love, Peace, and Music,
Ever your pal,
Tom
no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 04:53 pm (UTC)From:Just try and relax, ok?
*hugs you tight*
no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 05:00 pm (UTC)From:I will relax if you will, my love! ;-)
I love you, don't fret too much today, okay, my dear? Not being able to do everything all the time doesn't make you a bad friend. Let me know if you need anything, okay?
no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 04:55 pm (UTC)From: (Anonymous)no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 05:14 pm (UTC)From:The first thing that leapt to my mind was swimming. Do you have access to a pool anywhere? Just a thought.
Feel better and thanks for sharing that lovely poem! The end was powerful.
no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 05:52 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 05:41 pm (UTC)From:I know, I'm a pervert. Its just a thought.
I have a couple of back exercises that you do laying on a bed from when I had PT - if you want, I can email them to you.
*hugs you*
no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 05:47 pm (UTC)From:*hugs you back many times over*
no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 06:40 pm (UTC)From:You might try some gentle yoga to help stretch and comfort your back without stressing your legs. I've also found that exercises which strengthen the abs help ease pain in the lower back.
Which reminds me of a puzzle: If a 'six-pack' of abs is good, why is a beer belly bad?
no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 08:03 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-05-18 11:37 pm (UTC)From:no subject
Date: 2006-05-19 04:48 am (UTC)From:Foot and Back Pain
Date: 2006-05-19 04:10 pm (UTC)From:I did extensive research and by much trial and much error these are the only things that worked for me and continue to work for me, before, during and after my stroke:
Foot Pain:
Arch supports (orthotics). I have seen countless MD specialists and podiatrists over the years. All could only promise me a 40% fix, which considering how bad my feet are, was next to nothing: I would still be in a lot of pain. I kept at it and found that the orthotics sold by the Good Feet Store were superb. We bought their life time warrantied orthotics and it was the best deal we have ever made. My feet wear out those orthotics within a year because my feet are so deformed, but true to their word, they replace them for free and have told me they are losing money on me, but they are bound by contract to honor their lifetime warranty. And they have. We just show up at their store with our receipt whenever my feet start hurting again, and they give me a new pair free. No questions asked. They can see that the orthotics are kaput and they just replace them. It is a franchise and I noticed on their website that they have a couple stores in Wisconsin. I hope one is near to you. They've got all kinds of options. Go to http://www.goodfeet.com/
Back Pain:
The only thing that has ever worked for me are the exercises in Robin McKenzie's "Pain Free Life" book. He is a chiropractor in New Zealand. I give his book to anyone who has developing or chronic back or neck pain. I have sent you a copy from Amazon. It should be arriving in a couple days. Most back pain is caused by posture and the loss of the "S" curvature in the lower spine due to aging. This book totally saved my life!!
Love you bunches, and want you to feel well soon! Tuile
Re: Foot and Back Pain
Date: 2006-05-19 04:19 pm (UTC)From:My foot is doing better today, after I dug out an old pair of Birkenstocks with a high arch support. I'll look into those orthotics!