Like so many writers and fellow forty-somethings, my body is feeling the effects of its age and profession. I’ve been in and out of physical therapy for my back over the 6 months, and currently have bonus “tennis elbow”, though it should really be called Lucy Elbow, as I believe I incurred this particular flareup while going through the copyedits for THE LUCY VARIATIONS and not on the courts. Because I haven’t been on the courts. I’ve been re-reading Justine Larbalestier‘s blogs on her experiences with RSI and feel chastened. She was a good and dedicated patient, and majorly cut back on her computer and devices time while she recovered. I know that I must do the same.
This means a delay in the next episode of This Creative Life, as the making of the podcast is a trackpad/mouse-intensive process. However, I hope that while I’m at the Glen Workshop, I’ll get the chance to record a bunch of awesome guests and get some episode material in the can to come back with great conversations for you to enjoy.
I’m also working to limit my typing time by returning emails with phone calls, when possible, and not returning emails, period, if it’s not necessary (or keeping them very brief). Sorry! I find the short spurts of twitter reasonably friendly to my bod, and I have returned to the world of Tumblr which makes shorter-form blogging and sharing easier (and requires fewer keystrokes). I’m around and working and reachable and doing all that is necessary, but not as instantly or frequently as I’m used to, and I must cut way, way back on non-crucial emailing. I’m thinking a couple of hours a couple of times a week should be enough to keep up with correspondence and biz. I also will not be writing very many longer blog posts for awhile (which I’ve already been not doing, but now I’ll be intentionally not-doing!), and am limiting texting and device fun and games.
The good news is that I’m very lucky to have insurance, thanks to my husband’s job, and to live within 3 miles of some of the greatest health care around at the University of Utah. I also have a smart and skilled doctor, and he has helped me find a good CrossFit trainer to work with me on my core and functional strength as I do PT for my back. I’ve been diagnosed as “weak and unstable” (if they only knew) which means strength is the key for me rather than stretching and flexibility training according to PT doc (apparently I am somewhat “hypermobile”). Which makes sense, because my back really got worse when I put strength training at the bottom of my priority list when life got chaotic. Anyway, all of this doesn’t come cheap, but I finally had a talk with myself about the value of taking care of my body so that I’m not crippled by 50. No one wants that! As another benefit, strength training is incredible for my diabetes management and insulin sensitivity. Quality of life means a lot to me, and now I must put my money and my actions where my mouth is.
Friends, let’s be good to ourselves now so that we don’t feel like crap in the future. And with health care legislation all up in the air either way, it’s always smart to remember that you are your number one health care provider.
See you soon!
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Have a speedy recovery.
Getting strong & fitter, physical therapy, and limiting keyboard time have had the biggest effect on my pain management. And, yes, it has all sorts of other health benefits. But the time & money involved is scary.
The other thing that was important for—I’m not sure if it applies for you—was realising that this is forever. That if I don’t maintain and manage it will get worse. But even if I do it’s not necessarily going away. Accepting that management was the best I could do was really hard but actually made everything a lot easier. I stopped waiting for the magic cure & got on with the rest of my life.
Sorry for going in for so long.
Good luck. What you’re doing is SO worth it.
I’ve been dealing with back problems for a long time, and what Justine says is true: if you realize it’s a lifetime thing, it makes dealing with it much easier. Not to say it won’t get better — even much better with the right pt and management — but that it’s something you always have to be aware of and responsive to. A day off — or two when possible — and frequent changing of position really help. Good luck!
Wish you the best of luck with your recovery! I’m a big fan of your books and this blog, and I’ll miss the episodes of This Creative Life (though it’s MUCH more important that you take care of yourself). As someone who’s struggled with my own bodily limits, I’ll add that you’re not alone.
Will be thinking of you, Sara. You’re so right – we have to look after ourselves. Audrey and I are always commenting that exercise and rest are the first things to go whenever we’re on deadline, when in fact, they’re probably the LAST things we should be neglecting. I guess I’m saying that you’re not alone, but that I’m proud of you for acting on it (unlike your bone idle friend in St. Louis, for example!).
yes. please take care of you. one of the reasons I shell out cash on a monthly basis for chiropractic care is that arthritis runs in the family. I am bad about the exercise part, but am trying to get better.