Tagged with pain management …

The “tyranny of cheerfulness”

The “tyranny of cheerfulness”

Ehrenreich suggested in that one sentence that the culture that creates that expectation for individuals going through major medial events and treatments denies them the ability to feel what they need to feel, act as they truly want to act and live the way they want to. It made me really think. Had my need to put on a brave face for my family actually denied me agency? Did I wait so long for an x-ray because I was being the “nice girl,” compliant with what the “experts” had told me? Should I have been screaming at the top of my lungs? Continue reading →

That’s out of the way

Well, now that’s out of the way. For weeks I have been anxious about this winter and terrified that a fall on the ice could land me not just on the sidewalk, but back in the hospital. I spent way more than usual on a pair of good, supportive shoes with excellent traction. I even … Continue reading →

Independence day

Independence day

Today I proved to myself that I can take care of my son and do everything required in our daily life on my own. This is an amazing thing. And we’re just getting started. My husband is now in St. Paul, Minn. with the volleyball team for the NCAA DII Regional tournament. GO BLUES! This is … Continue reading →

I’m back!

I asked my husband today if he thought it would be weird to bring Dr. Sojka a present when we see him for my follow-up appointment on Dec. 6. He said it would. And I protested: “But he gave me my life back!” I thought about that a lot today. It is so true. Nearly … Continue reading →

Working out the kinks

What an amazing weekend. I started out bummed because my son and I would miss out on the Saturday football game and volleyball match on campus. After a trial run of getting the Little Guy in the car by myself — which wasn’t completely successful – I opted for staying home. I was bummed to … Continue reading →

Therapy

I have said many times during this journey with diastasis symphysis pubis that I am lucky. Lucky to have a loving husband and a beautiful, happy son. Lucky to live near a surgeon who knew how to help me. And now lucky to have a physical therapist who is is raising two young boys. Amy … Continue reading →

Forward

I’m making great progress at physical therapy. But in the last week my right SI joint has flared up again. Amy has been great every step of the way and today we tried both ultrasound heat and massage. It feels pretty good right now. The hardest part about this phase of my recovery from diastasis … Continue reading →

Small steps

FIrst lesson learned: Physical therapy is not the same as going to the gym. There is no one to beat. I didn’t even feel guilty for not breaking a sweat. And my therapist was like a counselor, cheerleader and doctor all at once. At our appointment this morning, (my husband has been there for everything. … Continue reading →

Preparing for the future

The final presidential debate is on. Foreign policy this time. I take my decision as a voter seriously and I am trying to pay attention, but I’m in a lot of pain today and my mind is racing. Stiffness, back pain and that stupid shot have compounded a bad day at work and there’s LOTS … Continue reading →

Care Package

Care Package

I have been lucky in my life to work with amazing people. People who care genuinely and deeply about the wellbeing of those around them. For eight years I worked in a metropolitan newsroom, covering the community — good, bad, happy and sad. And when things were tough I knew there were people in that … Continue reading →