A Pain in the Butt: Redux

“A beggar dressed in rags, limping with the aid of a staff towards a village.” Etching, attr. Jacques Callot.  Wellcome Library, London.  Creative Commons Attribution 4.0

I’m grateful for having received a lot of empathy, encouragement, good advice, and reassurance that I’m in plenty of good company, after my post on A Pain in the Butt and Other Life Lessons. Thank-you!

Now, I thought an update would be in order. This caveat still stands: anything I (simply a patient) mention here or in the previous post is for information only. For yourself, check with your healthcare provider to gear to your own situation. Everyone is different!

Since I’m different too, I’d better add another caveat to this post. Warning: Limericks Ahead!

This rhyming, inane, in my brain
When my nether parts wallow in pain
Has one main attraction:
Providing distraction
From feeling I’ve derailed my train!

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My Saga of Pains in the Butt
I’ll soon be out of this rut,
And gladly abstaining
From whining, complaining.
But, wait! Let me tell you what’s what:

Step One, Acupuncture, was chief.
I’m glad apprehension was brief
As I lay there, inverted,
With needles inserted
In muscle knots.– Oh, what relief!

Later, in surfing the internet for more information about sciatica treatments, I discovered that some people find relief with botox injections. Botox? Really? There? Sorry, then I just couldn’t help myself:

While faces with wrinkles and creaks
Regain Classical Beauty of Greeks
With botox injected,
This I have neglected.–
And now, would I smooth other cheeks??

Seriously, and with heartfelt thanks for a helpful, hot tip from blogger Holistic Wayfarer:

A kind blogger offered advice:
Try Castor Oil Patches, at least thrice,
Wrapped in towels and heat.
(Ah, this home-spa is sweet!)
Check this link for instructions precise!

To carry this on I’m quite keen,
Feeling better than lately I’ve been.
With music and book,
In a warm, cozy nook,
I’m becoming a well-oiled machine!

In this eye-opening article, My Back talks Back, blogger Joyful2bee gives erudite insights from personal experiences about back pain and (yikes!) aging. Since that last concept affects most of us sooner or later, this is a worthwhile read!

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Circus Images, 1766-1939 (MS Thr 693 [68]), Harvard Theatre Collection, Harvard University

As mentioned in my previous post, I’m continuing with physiotherapy and I’m more and more enamoured of my elliptical trainer (sorry to disappoint, but, no, not a (handsome) muscular circus acrobat teaching me how to do elliptical flips through the air, but merely a Nordic-walking-style-treadmill machine).

I’ve been prodded to return to yoga, encouraged to relax and indulge in nice warm baths with Epsom salts, and Hubby bought a new massager with a heat option. Hmmm, things are certainly looking up.

I feel fortunate that my muscle-knots-on-sciatica issues are clearing up with relatively straightforward treatments and lifestyle adjustments. Patience! However, what’s causing the remaining serious pain that still prevents me from walking much, is To-Be-Determined, x-rays coming up. Words like “osteo-arthritis” have been uttered.

Then, just to balance things out a bit this week, while joyfully goofing around with my little grandson, I carelessly twisted my upper body, pulling some unsuspecting muscle along my ribs on my other side. Aah, when will I ever learn?

When I’m feeling sorry for myself (yes, that also happens), I’ve been encouraged by knowing that others have overcome these and worse challenges through:

• self-awareness (listening to their body’s messages)
• self-discipline (carrying through with all the good advice and techniques)
• common sense (not overdoing anything).

It all sounds suspiciously like those wise words, “balance” and “mindfulness.”  I see there’s no age limit on self-improvement! So, no ifs, ands, or– buts!

In all this, there is only so much that others can help with. Lying in bed, stuck in the quiet darkness of my own thoughts and pain, I remember dealing with cancer. I had experienced that asking for, and quietly allowing the light of God’s love and healing to pour into your mind and body gives a soothing kind of strength and peace, even joy. (Cold logic, focussing on pain, doesn’t comprehend this). St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  In my mind, I still see my mother sitting on the edge of her bed, stooped, wracked in decades-old pain of rheumatoid arthritis. There’s a Bible and hymn book on her lap, and a song on her smiling lips! I thank God for her example and the reminder to follow it.

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The crux of the matter is this:
A pain is a pain, and no bliss.
You do what it takes
To improve the stakes,
And seal Love into Life with a kiss!