Living with Cerebral Palsy

Wimp

I must confess that there are days that I am truly a wimp at heart. I skipped church today, in favor of a good dose of the generic form of Ben-Gay.

I actually woke up in the middle of the night hoping that it would be snowing, and I would have an excuse to not go out. I knew that I was going to dread pulling myself in/out of the shower, dressing, driving, and well you get the idea.

Bicep Tendonitis

Last year, the doctor diagnosed me with bicep tendonitis. Basically, my arms are starting to complain about being used as substitutes for my legs all of these years. I can’t blame them. I would be a bit grumpy too. After all, my arms have helped me live a good life, despite my disabilities, and I have asked a lot of them.

Unfortunately, although the actual problem is the tendons in my bicep, it makes my shoulder hurt where the tendons attach. Plus, it is my left shoulder and I am left handed, so it makes it especially challenging to live with cerebral palsy, when it flares up. I don’t even want to lift myself into the wheelchair to go to the restroom, even though I must. I am such a baby.

The Wonders of Heat

When my tendonitis flares, it can cause me to have a stiff neck and it eventually makes my entire arm ache. But, I have discovered two wonders of heat that help me a lot.

I get this deep heating creme, like Ben-Gay, and I rub it into my shoulder. The heat is almost instantaneous and wonderful! But, the odor is really strong. It’s a good thing I like Wintergreen mints, because that is what I smell like.

Then, there is my rice sock. A friend of mine at church gave me this wonderful idea. I can never find the heating pad, plus I am nervous about falling asleep with an electrical appliance plugged in and resting on my skin. I don’t want it to get too hot; and, if the pets lay against it, it might present a hazard. Thus, enter the sock.

Take an ordinary sock, fill it with uncooked rice, and tie off the end. Put the rice sock in the microwave for a minute and a half, and you have an instant heating pad to drape over your shoulder, around your neck, or wherever. Amazingly, the heat lasts for an hour or more. In fact, it feel so good, I think I might sew a bunch of rice in a pillow case one of these days. I think that would feel awesome on an achy day.

So, now you know. I am probably wimpier than you. I probably should have worked through the pain and gone to church. But, I decided I’d rather smell like Ben-Gay in private, and not make anyone pass out from my odorous emanations.

So, how was your Sunday? Do you have any other great pain remedies for those extra little aches and pains of living with cerebral palsy?

First, I must apologize! I can’t believe that it has been a week since I have posted anything. Time flies, even if I am not having fun.

I have another funny story to tell you, on myself of course! But, I want to tell you about my thoughts on my Tuesday first.

I had a doctor’s appointment, to check my blood pressure. But, I knew I needed to talk to her about this pain that has been a steady ache for 2 weeks that radiates from my should blade and down my left arm. In fact, if the ache gets intense, even my fingertips hurt. Honestly, I was concerned I had a torn rotator cuff or something. With 2 bad limbs already, I knew I wouldn’t be able to care for myself, if they had to work on my arm.

But, I absolutely LOVE my doctor! It is the first time in 25 years that I have really felt comfortable. So, we talked. She started pressing on my shoulder, and of course she found the real ouchie point! It seems I have bicep tendonitis. Of course, since I use my arms for both arms and legs, it will be a recurring problem, especially as I get older. But, it is not a surgery thing.

I AM SO THANKFUL!

Then, we discussed my care options, including a cortisone shot. I told her I was ready for one today, just to get some relief. I knew I was in for it, when they brought in a consent form! Time to run! Oh! I can’t!

Then, Dr. Breck came in with a 3 foot needle! Okay, that is a slight exaggeration. But, it was long enough to reach through the muscle clear to the joint. In addition, the needle itself was bigger around and was going to punch a larger hole than normal.

Of course, the doctor was very apologetic. She numbed my skin for the initial poke. It was time to create a diversion! So, I told her the story of the attack of the snuggy. While we were laughing together, I hardly felt her sticking that HUGE needle in my shoulder!

The moral of this story is simple. A very painful situation is made a lot easier, when you remember to be thankful and try to have a positive attitude.

So, next time you go to the doctor for your cerebral palsy or anything else, remember how blessed you are to live in a day and age where medical care for this disability is possible. Your doctor may not have all of the answers, but he/she works all day with people that forget to be thankful and only know how to complain. You will be surprised how far a little thanks will go for both of you.

It sure took the sting out of that 3 foot needle for me!