I’m calling this week a continuation of last week and I’m somewhere in mile four to five of my marathon. Thinking about where I am in this process brought to mind Dr. Suess’ Oh the Places You’ll Go. Because I’ve got kids, and practically memorized all of our favorite books, I knew immediately that I’m in the waiting place right now. But, this one isn’t a useless place.
Diagnosing physical issues takes time. That fact has been reinforced in this past week. Last Monday morning I was in so much pain we went to the ortho walk-in. A week later and I’ve got the pain managed – but there are no quick solutions. I waited for the MRI. I waited for the doctor appointment to follow up. I waited to make the first Physical Therapy appointment until after said MRI and doctor appointment so I had more information. Now I’m waiting for the procedure that will help relieve the pressure in my neck vertebrae impinging on the nerves causing the pain.
None of the issues I’m dealing with appeared overnight. And who even knows the exact cause though I’m pretty sure the repetitive motions of running combined with computer use and everyday life are a big part of the problem. So I can’t expect that the fix is going to be quick. But the waiting is hard! I just want to get to the finish line as quickly as possible and needing to work through the system is a test to my patience.
The best thing I can do is wait it out and follow the advice of the professional help that I’ve sought. Because, well, they’re the professionals. I am very good at a variety of different things, sometimes even thought of as the expert in different areas of my professional life, so when I’m asked for my professional help I hope that my advice is taken seriously. Any person in a professional situation brings with them a view from all of the different situations they’ve seen in their experiences. The doctor examining my MRI has seen thousands of similar images and can take what he or she sees in them, combined with a brief conversation of current symptoms, and offer direction that helps solve the issues for most patients they see. If I ignore the advice, I’m not going to see much improvement in my symptoms.
So I’m trying to be patient. I’ve walked more than run this week. I’m taking a break from Crossfit at the worst possible time as we prepare for The Open. I’ve watched how I use my computer and rested when I feel like my neck/shoulder/arm need it. But I’ve also listened to my body. When I felt like I could run, I run. I’ve also taken my own earlier advice and calendar planned my half marathon training for this spring. The waiting has let me run with friends multiple times and chatted about life’s frustrations.
Back to Dr. Suess. Though I’m sitting with everyone who is just waiting, I hope I’ll turn the page soon and… “Somehow you’ll escape all that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places where Boom Bands are playing…” Imagine how amazing that run is going to feel that day?