St. Ignatius Church – Oh My Aching Back!
I never realized typing and texting could be hazardous to my health! For years, I have typed head and shoulders hunched forward in front of a computer. Then, when texting replaced talking, my posture further deteriorated becoming reminiscent of our more primitive ancestors. Of course, posture was rarely on my mind because I never had any serious issues that caused me concern.
Recently, I began feeling pain in my left shoulder blade that radiated to my left side and left armpit. I chalked it up to soreness from working out. At work, I noticed typing exacerbated my symptoms and the pain worsened. That’s when I became concerned. Something was not right and I knew I had to see a doctor.
At the appointment, I had to have my blood drawn. I kept asking, “Is this going to hurt?” The kind phlebotomist assured me it would not hurt and that I would only feel a momentary pinch. I didn’t even want to feel the pinch. I advised her that my veins are small and perhaps I should drink more water. She told me I didn’t need to drink anymore water and reassured me that the needle she was using was the smallest available. She called it a butterfly needle. I told her the butterfly needle looked too big for my tiny veins.
When the moment came, I started getting antsy. She told me to look away and I did, but I jumped immediately and screamed, “OUCH!” She responded very nicely, “I haven’t touched you yet.” How embarrassing! I looked away again and then I felt the pinch. It didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would, but I was a little miffed that sacrificing three vials of blood only got me a drab brown band aid. I was hoping for something cuter and more colorful.
After that not so harrowing experience, I was diagnosed with possible muscle strain. I was advised not to engage in intense workouts until after my follow up appointment in May. I’m working with Facilities at work to make my office more ergonomically correct. I have to consciously tell myself to sit up straight, shoulders back, and head up! I am also limiting my typing and texting. All this has helped because I feel a lot better today.
One of the hardest part in this healing process is taking it easy on my workouts. I am confined to walking on a treadmill. Boring! Fortunately, I’ve discovered Leslie Sansone’s “Walk at Home” DVD series. It’s not as intense as P90X, but it beats being sedentary and is a great alternative and/or supplement to walking on the treadmill. Although, I can’t help but feel like one of those hip senior citizens engaged in mallercise. Perhaps I should invest in a pair of leg warmers! 😉
Have a wonderful week. 🙂
Lizzy’s Latest for this week is the White House Black Market Lourdes pumps. I will give my review of these pumps on Wednesday. For now enjoy the pictures! 🙂
April 6, 2016 @ 6:12 am
Your health my be degraded, but it doesn’t show. What does show (in the lead photo), is a glimpse of light between your arch and the sole of your shoe. I wonder if the shoe’s maker intended for moments like that to occur. Having taken the photo and not noticed it until now, I know it was entirely spontaneous on our part.
April 7, 2016 @ 2:11 am
Thank you, Dad! It is always nice to catch spontaneous moments like this. I’m certain it helped that the light was perfect that afternoon.
April 6, 2016 @ 2:39 pm
You sounded just like my oldest son with the blood draw!! Lmao! Guess you wouldn’t like my process of having a blood draw every week. You look amazing, get well.
April 7, 2016 @ 2:17 am
That is hilarious, Bill! I don’t like needles and it is probably one of the reasons I tend to avoid doctors. Yikes! You get blood drawn once a week?! What a warrior! Hope you are well. Thank you for the nice compliment and I am working on getting better. 🙂