Tuesday 23 November 2021

Rolling Around on the Floor and other Adventures

 Quadradtus lumborum. That's the nasty deep muscle that is continuing to make my life hell. I am now a doddering old woman who organizes her week according to her appointments. Massage therapy today. Physiotherapy Thursday. Will the excitement never cease?

Three times a day I perform my ritual of stretching and strengthening exercises. Murphy the cat is a royal pain who feels the need to lie down under me when I am raising my rear end up off the floor with a pillow clasped between my knees ( I am on my back for this one). I do another one on hands and knees ironically called "angry cat" and yes, he is on the floor underneath me for that one, too. I wish I could say I am doing better, but I am very discouraged with how long it is taking for relief to be felt.

Do not confuse massage therapy with "getting a massage". I do a lot of "baby breathing" while I have my face mashed into the little head support hole in the table. Some of what the lovely Julie does can be described as exquisitely painful. 

I have been contacted twice by a vice principal to see if I am able to come back yet and do some supply teaching (one was for a job involving teaching gym class!!). 

On a different note, having already written that I have watched the ENTIRE series of Downton Abbey while sitting on a heating pad, I can now say I have also watched the new episodes of Tiger King (don't judge me) and Killer Instinct. I killed the heating pad, but can't take it back because we threw out the box, and likely the receipt. 

I just finished reading The Heron's Cry by Ann Cleeves. I loved it. I haven't added it yet to my page when I list all the books I have read, but I will. 

We have lots of snow here, but it will likely be melted in a couple of days. 

Today I was making a purchase at a pharmacy and the cashier said, "Are you 55?" and I replied, that yes, I actually was, and she said that I got a senior's discount because today was Senior's Day, so my purchase was 25% off. I looked at her and said, "Are you kidding??" No, she wasn't.  A senior's discount because I'm fifty-five???? As if the back pain and appointments don't make me feel old enough. And yes, I did take the discount.

43 comments:

  1. Soft tissue injuries take a long, LONG time to heal. But hang in there! You will eventually be back to your self (I was going to say "your old self" but I thought that might be taken the wrong way, LOL!)

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  2. Ugh, I am so sorry to hear your back is still causing grief. I agree with Debra, those soft tissue injuries are the devils work.
    Hey, Take those discounts whenever you can. Better those pennies in our pocket, right? You can do a google search to find out who offers them at what age.

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    1. I was surprised it was for 55 and up. I always imagined 65!

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  3. The first time I was offered a senior discount I spent the day feeling very depressed. Seriously. I always assumed senior was 65 and over. I guess I was about 55 also. I'm now 59. Give me a senior discount when I'm a senior, not when I'm 59. Grrrrrr...... Sorry to hear about the Quadradtus lumborum. Hope the therapy helps.

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  4. Commiserations about your back..and an ear scratch for your furry assistant!
    In Scotland it is free bus passes and free prescriptions at 60. I am surprised at 55!

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  5. Oh boy, having to do exercises on the floor is bad enough but with a bothersome cat? He's giving you support in his own cat like way.
    Yeh, for a discount whatever the reason.

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  6. So sorry to hear you are still having those back problems. Wish we had some of your snow! Still impatiently waiting. Yes, the first time that discount is offered, one is quite taken aback!

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    1. It's still here this morning. You are welcome to it. ;)

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  7. When I got my bus free pass at 60, the first time I used it I was the youngest on the bus by at least a decade.

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  8. Seniors day sounds like a good one to remember. We have them in hardware stores, never heard of them in a chemists. Good luck with the healing.x

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  9. I had never had back issues until recently..not sure what I did, but it was truly aggravating. I hope you heal quickly! I do not have any pets currently, but I had a dog who used to "help" when I was doing stretching/yoga. It's always fun to have company :-)

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  10. I loved "The Heron's Cry." It's going to be a mini-0series but not sure what service it will be on.

    Well, I totally get everything you are saying and yes, I can empathize. I get it right down to the discouragement. The exercises and all help -- they really do -- but it takes time (and once they release you from PT, you STILL have to do them). I chuckled at your massage therapy description. You must have the same person I do! It's definitely not a relaxing experience, even though she does try to end up with something a little more soothing off the back! My five minutes of feet or neck to make up for the rest of the time on the back/hip! At least you have a PT partner with Murphy. Lizzie just sleeps, by and large -- in some relaxed, contorted position that makes me green with envy!

    Hang in there. It WILL get better. (Our grocery SC discount is 55 and so is McDonald's!)

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    1. Seriously, McDonalds at 55? Now I'm curious about here (haven't been in a McDonalds for quite some time, however). Thanks for the encouragement.

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  11. Well, darn. No matter the length of the suffering that totally interrupts your "normal" life, it's a big pain in the . . . wherever it's a big pain. But it sounds as though you're being a good girl and doing everything you can to speed along the recovery so, hard as it is, hang in there. And try not to squash the cat.

    Way back in the 1970s my dad, who was an avid bowler, was kicked up (or would that be down?) into the senior citizens league when he turned 55! I remember thinking how ridiculous that was.

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    1. How is it I thought it was all about being 65? Clearly it's not.

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  12. Oh Jenn sorry to hear that you are still suffering on with this injury. We just don't bounce back as quickly as before. The physio therapist I worked with always said those injuries we suffer & forget in our 20's come back to haunt us in our 50's& 60's making ever so slight pulls or strains magnified. Ah such joy. I agree with Karen - take the discount, smile & know that, that perky cashier will one day be on the same trip of life! LOL at Murphy's help. ... Mary-Lou =^[..}^=

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    1. Actually, the cashier was older than me! I guess she's been getting a discount for quite some time now!

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  13. Oh, I'm so sorry that the back pain isn't resolving. I hope you get some true relief soon. As for Murphy, there seems to be a cat law that they must get in the way whenever possible.

    As for the discount, I'll take it any time I can get it. Though in my mind, 55 is not a senior.

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    1. He does get in the way and the expression, "curiosity killed the cat" comes to mind, often.

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  14. Sorry to hear about your back pain. That makes doing anything difficult! I hope you find relief soon.

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  15. This sort of pain begins to feel as though you have got it for ever and then one day you find it gone. Let's hope this is what happens to you.

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  16. I shall take your words to heart! Thank you.

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  17. LOL take the discount at least that is a positive thing. HOpe you start to feel better. As a nurse for many years we saw so many teachers with major back issues from standing and teaching all day long. Most were very young only in their 40's when this would stop their teaching careers.

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    1. Oh gee, I’m not sure this is what I wanted to hear! I messed up my back by bending over at the waist and cutting back perennials for a couple of hours - but I already have a dodgy lower back. I shall overcome!🙂

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  18. I'm surprised to hear you are still in great pain. If things do not show improvement soon, I'd consider getting a second opinion. Nobody should be in this much pain.

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    1. Oh there’s tons of people out there with back pain worse than mine!

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  19. I hope the pain leaves soon. I know how it makes each day difficult. You have a Happy Thanksgiving. Hugs, Edna B.

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    1. Well I’ve had my Canadian Thanksgiving already, but I hope you had a nice one!

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  20. The going underneath is a cat thing. I do it too when F is doing yoga. Mr T

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  21. On this day of Thanksgiving (here anyway) I wanted to stop by to say I am thankful to know you as a blogger. :-)

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    1. Oh thank you! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. Did you bring out the good plates?

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  22. Our local Shopper's Drug Mart considers people seniors at 55 as well. On Thursdays, if I remember it's Senior's Day, I find myself whispering, "I'm a senior", to the cashier. God forbid someone in the line behind me hears I'm a "senior". Some little part of me always hopes they'll challenge me. But nope, they readily give me my 20% off. I hope your back gets better soon. It sounds like you're doing everything right.

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    1. I found that interesting and had a look. The information I am seeing says the age is 65 for Shopper Drug Mart. (Ummm, you might be getting a dodgy discount!)

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    2. Had another look - I guess it depends on where you live. Certain Shoppers' offer it for 65, others for 55. Maybe you're on the up and up after all! :)

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