If you’ve been looking for a blog post from me, you’ll need to hack into my computer and search the trash, because that’s where everything I write ends up. I just can’t seem to get my shit act together.
In health news, my sciatica flare-up is now behind me. I’m still doing a lot of different stretches and strengthening exercises, and I believe they’re keeping me upright, but I probably need professional help. Seems like Dale said that, but I don’t think he was talking about my back.
A golf friend said she sees a chiropractor weekly, Medicare pays for it and she no longer has sciatica. I’ve always been afraid of chiro, but I made an appointment for an evaluation and took along the MRI of my back. I really liked the doctor, however, he read through the MRI report and said spinal manipulation probably won’t help me and could make it worse.
Rejected! I didn’t think chiropractors turned anyone away.
For you medical nerds, he said the reason for turning me down is the severe stenosis at L4-L5. I appreciated his honesty. He said massages and exercises that address muscles and tissue are good, so I asked my doctor for a referral to physical therapy. I think I’m already on the right track there, but a little fine-tuning seems appropriate at this point. That starts next week.
I’ve been reading a good bit, and it’s not all crime fiction! The list includes:
The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles. I liked it a lot, but damn, that ending was not what I expected.
An Honest Man by Michael Koryta. After discovering seven men murdered aboard their yacht off the coast of Maine – our protagonist Israel Pike is regarded as a prime suspect. Let’s just say he has a troubled past. Highly recommended.
The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. It’s 1789, and a badass midwife in Maine takes on accused rapists, one of whom has been found dead. Or was he murdered? I loved this book!
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessell van der Kolk. This book turned out to be a bit wonky with lots of science and research, but I would consider it a must-read for trauma survivors. Having been raised by wolves, it helped me understand a lot about my own issues.
The Exchange: After the Firm by John Grisham. It was nice to revisit the McDeere’s, but I was a bit disappointed. The storyline wasn’t all that believable, and I think he missed some opportunities to add an unexpected twist or two.
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women by Lisa See. Based on a real person, this work of historical fiction tells the story of a girl in 1400s China who becomes a doctor. I enjoy anything by Lisa See, and this one did not disappoint. But man, that foot-binding is some bad shit. And eunichs! Lot of wrong going on there.
Now that I’ve branched out a bit, I’m thinking of trying science fiction again. High on my list is Dune, which we have at home in paperback. I asked Dale if he thought I could get through it, and he said yes, if I can keep track of the characters.
Well, that’s easier said than done.
In another important retirement development, Dale and I settled our argument regarding crumbs on the floor and the process for removing them. He used to think they disappeared by magic, but he now understands a vacuum cleaner is involved. And I do not have a vacuum cleaner attached to my hand.
To make everything easy-peasy, we sprung for a Dyson cordless stick vacuum and put it in a place with easy access for quick clean-ups. Now, everyone can participate in the vacuuming of crumbs!
Wow! I can’t believe the reading you’ve done lately. You put me to shame. I also can’t believe you found a chiropractor who was upfront and honest about not being able to help you. He sounds like a gem. So glad to hear the sciatica, the kitchen crumbs & Dale are under control. Brava!
It has been a rainy winter — hence all the reading! I was also very impressed by the chiropractor. It’s nice to be pleasantly surprised.
Thanks for the recommendation for THe Mind Keeps Score. It sounds like my kind of book, despite the science-y stuff. I was also raised by wolves – when I was meeting with a new therapist many years ago I told him about my childhood and when I was done, he said, “That is so weird.” I appreciated his honest reaction, and he turned out to be very helpful.
The ending of The Lincoln Highway was not what I was expecting, or even wanting, either. But I must say, at least eight months later, those characters still live in my head.
Nina
I love your therapist’s reaction. Sometimes I look at my history and can’t think of anything that sums it up better than, “That is so weird.”
I’m with you on the end of The Lincoln Highway. At first, I was annoyed with the ending, but like you, I keep thinking about it. My golf buddies want me to read The Covenant of Water. It’s 700 pages or more. I would have to get it for the Kindle — such a thick book is hard to hold! But I always feel a good writer shouldn’t need 700 pages to tell a good story.
A book whose characters live in your head for 8 months sounds interesting. That’s an honest chiropractor. One I went to was charged with exploiting patients and giving them unnecessary treatments, and he ended up killing himself. I won’t go to them, but love PTs. It seems the older we get, we need a tune up more often to be able to stay active.
I start with the PT next week! I’m actually excited. I already have the habit of daily stretches, so I think I’ve got a head start. I just need some professional guidance as to what is best. I agree about tune-ups. I like thinking of it that way.
Your pithy sense of humor really keeps me coming back. I loved the crumbs story, but I’m still laughing at your (unintended?) pun about your sciatica being behind you. Thanks for the giggles!
I do try to slip in some zingers now and then. Thanks for noticing!!
Good chiropractors do. I mean, they have enough trouble with how they’re regarded, so why add grist to the mill? Good to hear that your sciatica is being eased by your programme – long may that last.
I’m glad you enjoyed The Lincoln Highway. As you can imagine, I had to keep my mouth tightly shut about the ending.