Presidents’ Day and Optimism


Presidents’ Day!  February 20, 2023. First steps out of bed were discouraging.  The same nagging discomfort and tightness.  But a few minutes later, while making coffee, I noticed that I didn’t feel that discomfort.  It was replaced with a sort of numbness for lack of better description.  Perhaps it was lack of pain, and my brain does not know how to process that.  Of course, as soon as I focused on it the aches returned.  It’s almost as though my brain is scanning my right side looking for any signal to translate into discomfort.  I need to look more into the psychology of chronic pain. I must have something unresolved in my subconscious that won’t allow me to be pain free.

I completed my PT exercises without feeling exhausted afterwards.  Interesting.  The difficult ones were just as challenging, but I had more energy.   So, I went out for a 5k Run/Walk with Cat.  Afterwards my right hip was sore, but the soreness was more on the side and in the glutes. I did some stretching and that provided some relief.  Upon waking from an unplanned nap on the couch, I noted that I was void of discomfort.  I laid there almost giddy and focused my attention on how pain free my hip was.  I didn’t want to move for fear that movement would elicit pain.  

When I finally did move, there was some tightness, perhaps a little ache, but both legs were tight and the discomfort on my right side was marginally more than the left.  This was amazing.  Was my consistency with my PT exercises finally paying off?  I was overwhelmed with optimism.  I know I still have a rollercoaster ride ahead of me.  But for this one afternoon I’m going to soak in the positive.

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