Sprout's

July 21, 2013

Today I slept until 8:30 when a terrible pain in my mid-back woke me up. I don’t know if I’m unconsciously guarding my knee at night or if my body is compensating but my back has been a mess for a few days. I went out to the couch and slept comfortably for two more hours. I had started watching a documentary called The Living Matrix last night and finished it this morning. It’s kind of like The Secret meets What the Bleep Do We Know? Afterwards, I went out on the back porch and watched the rain. How beautiful. Normally, I would’ve run out in it but I didn’t want my knee brace to rust and turn me in to the Tin (Wo)Man.

I knew Richard and I had to do the one thing today that both of us detest. No, not that. Grocery shopping. I decided that riding in the back seat with my leg propped up (my brace locks me out at full extension) would be much more comfortable than struggling in the front seat trying to hold it up on the dashboard. Richard got me settled with a few pillows in the back and we were off.

After a not-so-quick stop by our office/dojo to assess damage from the rain (and there was certainly damage – our mats were ruined) we headed to Sprouts. I initially had Arnica and several supplements on my list to help with my knee, and even though they were all available at the store, I decided against them. It just didn’t feel like I needed them right then. Weird. Normally, I’d load up on anything and everything I think would help. Not this time. I did end up with a couple supplements that I was drawn to, Manganese and Bromelain. 

After more than an hour roaming around the store and filling up our cart, my leg began to throb and we found ourselves at the checkout counter. I haven’t quite figured out how not to push too far yet. I need to be more aware and listen to my body so I don’t go over that threshold.

While checking out, I recognized a couple of our students in line. We waved at each other and met up. “What did you do??” I briefly told her about my test. And then came the question, “How long will you be like this?”

That was the first time I actually had to speak my resolve out loud. I thought about it for a minute. I could’ve said, “Well, I may have to get surgery so…” But that statement wouldn’t have been in line with the decision I made on Thursday. So instead I said, “I’m giving myself 60-days to heal up and get back to 100-percent.” Then I waited for the raised eyebrow and the look of surprise. It never came. “OK,” she said. “See you tomorrow afternoon.” And they were gone.

I turned around and told Richard that I just spoke my truth out loud and it wasn’t even questioned. 

Tonight though, my leg is aching, my shoulders are killing me and I’m freaking exhausted.