For those of you who are less than super-tech-savvy, I often include links to more information on certain topics in my posts. When a word or a phrase is in purplish-blue instead of black, that indicates a link (which you can click on) to read more information about the subject of that word or phrase. 🙂
If you haven't read my previous post, you might not know that I've been putting up with a tiny bit of
illness since mid-November.
I'm better now. Much better.
A week ago I saw Stephanie, a Physical Therapist at Kaiser Redlands (who is
terrific, by the way—kind, patient, empathetic and a great teacher). She did
some evaluation, told me she suspected I have Cervicogenic Dizziness, and gave
me some exercises that are classified as Vestibular Therapy to unlock the
stiffness in my neck (which I will discuss further in a sec—keep reading
because that's the human interest part).
It was a lot to take in, but
I will tell you I was literally sitting on the edge of my chair as I listened
to her, and I was so relieved when she said, "Oh yeah, I think we can
relieve your symptoms" that I had to will myself not to start crying. ("Focus,
Kay, focus," said the rational part of my brain.) Even as she demonstrated
and had me do the exercises, I began to feel a bit of relief from the constant
wooziness. Now, one week later, I am immensely improved—so much so that I think
after another few weeks of doing the exercises I will feel better than I have
in years in terms of the chronic neck pain I've had forever. (Well, not
literally "forever," but you know what I mean. I haven't even been
alive for "forever." Kinda feels like it sometimes, though.)
Two funny bits to share (and
this is where the human interest part comes in):
My crush in the sixth grade
was Ricky Smith. He liked me, too, and he came over to the house a few times,
took me square dancing and gave me a St. Christopher medallion. After school
one day, he mentioned that I should relax more, telling me, "You walk
around school with your shoulders all hunched up." Oh my Buddha! How
embarrassing that he noticed! Yet... how true. At eleven years old, I had already
experienced enough in life to keep me in a state of constant cringing. So add
all that neck tension to the injuries I sustained to my head and neck around
the same time (from getting tossed off horses), and you have the makings of
chronic neck pain.
Also: Kudos to my bestie
Donna who had read my previous post, so when I told her about the cervicogenic
dizziness diagnosis she was able to link the onset of it with that two-hour
stint in the dentist chair for the crown. (Her super-power is analytical
reasoning.) I don't think I've mentioned on the blog before that my childhood
dentist was a sadist. No, I mean, he actually was a sadist. For thirty years, I
have seen my dentists twice a year, but it still triggers profound anxiety.
I want to extend giant hugs
to all my friends, family members and blog readers who prayed for/chanted
for/sent energy to me plus all those who continued behind the scenes to make
suggestions as to what might be the cause. I love all of you, and thanks so
much for your support through these weeks. You kept me on the sunny side of
life while I was slogging away with the docs, trying to find a resolution.
Life is good! (Hence the smiley
seal pictured above.)
