A few days ago I asked John if he had many days when he wasn't suffering from some sort of ache or pain. Turns out he doesn't have any, and neither do I. Backs, hips, legs, necks, hands, something hurts pretty much all the time. We both seem to be ageing. But I'm struck by the fact that you don't really hear people talk about it involving aches and pains all that much. They talk mostly about grey hair and wrinkles, appearances. Staunch, stoic, stiff upper lip I guess. Nobody likes a moaner or a grump.
It used to be that that I could dig into a major project or play sport, be sore the next day, and recover. That last step just doesn't happen now. Getting out of bed in the morning is a an internal negotiation, even if I do know that the hot shower and a good coffee really do make things better.
Recently I've been suffering some side effects from the surgery I had last year, most likely from the radiation. I went and had a scan and examination to make sure it wasn't anything "sinister." Fortunately it wasn't. But it seems that I'm needing to accept discomfort for as long as it takes for the situation to heal. I didn't get any assurances on when that might be. In fact, I'm convinced they didn't know.
I used to think that modern medical science could help most conditions. I'm now realising that practically that's not the case. People live with aches, pains and discomfort. You don't always have a choice. And it's not something people talk about much.
For me it's time to start meditating and doing restorative yoga again, that should help. But I'm telling you, aches and pains are out there lurking around every corner. So be kind to one another--that grumpy old lady could be me, or you!
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