Ferocious? Really?

Did I say ferocious in my last post? Oh silly me. I use the term to describe my attitude toward my journey to better health but right now I’m about as fit as hairless baby bunny.

I'm standing in a pit, with sand up to my neck, when it comes to physical fitness. After years of pain and debility, to say that I have a long road ahead is an understatement.

I have severe kyphosis (forward spinal curvature) and osteoporosis, and I am recovering from debilitating muscle pain (probably caused by the primary hyperparathyroidism) but this is ridiculous. I’m weak, can walk for just a block or two—and I even limp while doing that short walk.

Call me breathless, too. Arghhh!

Krista Williams—my friend and guide to physical health (and who incidentally is using me as her SSU senior case study)—and I met last Friday. She took a medical history and started a written assessment that she will present to her professor.

She also took me on a tour through where she is going to assist me with my physical rejuvenation. There’ll probably be many times when she’ll want to assist me with a boot to the behind. I’m sincerely grateful for her help because I don’t think I could do this alone.

We’ll meet again this week, for her to assess my range of motion and my body mechanics.

Last week she noticed that I use momentum to move. What she said was, “Stop flinging yourself around.”

I think I should be using controlled muscle contraction instead of flinging. (She’ll probably roll her eyes when she reads this. I can already hear her saying, “Really. Ann, really?”)

But what muscles? I can’t find them.

Okay—note to self—build muscle first. Don’t do too much at once. Relax, it took years to get into this condition and I cannot get better overnight.

So, I bought ankle weights to use while water walking. Nifty 2.5 pound neoprene weights with Velcro (I’ve been wearing them on my arms while typing). I’m waiting for my swimsuit (or “garish get-up” in my case) and floatation belt to arrive.

While it’s fun to get new toys and apparel, I’m afraid. I’m afraid I’ll get started and have to stop due to pain or injury. Be gone, fearful thoughts! Time. I just need time.

And, hey, I can take heart from the fact that I must show improvement quickly. The Parkpoint pool beckons me into its watery embrace.

By the way, wish me luck!

**Author’s note: After years of ill health, and coexisting with several chronic conditions, I make the conscious decision to ferociously live wellness to my fullest extent. This is my journey. I know I cannot change at least one of my physical conditions but I choose live more consciously and in better health than I have for the past 18 years, since a congenital spinal condition rendered me “disabled.”

I have a team to help me to this end. Krista Williams, a dear friend, and a senior in the kinesiology program at Sonoma State University, who has chosen me as her semester project case study and who will help guide me through an individualized physical rehabilitation program. Vilma, my literary friend, led me to a homeopath M.D. who is helping me take a whole-body approach to health and wellness. I have two additional physicians, who while more conventional than alternative in approach, have shown compassionate interest in my complexities and who believe that I can regain my health.

This blog promises to be an honest portrayal of my journey to wellness—the parts that are difficult as well as the parts that are easy. I hope that my experiences may serve to support and inspire others with chronic conditions as they journey toward optimum health.

Disclaimer: Any healing modalities I may try are individualized for me and created in conjunction with the advice of my physicians. Nothing I write should be construed as medical advice. Please seek proper medical attention for any condition(s) you may have.)