I have spent the last week in pain. More pain than I am used to, and it is very targeted pain that has affected my ability to do everyday things.
This is not the norm for me. I have always been very thankful that my Fibromyalgia mainly affects my energy and is more of a dull pain all over than the terrible pain that many patients deal with. It is why I never felt like I could even say anything about chronic pain or illness because I don’t deal with many of the complications and terrible side effects that many other people deal with.
But last weekend, I fell. I fell hard and definitely injured myself. And I didn’t realize it at first. But after a few minutes, it became very clear that my shoulder/arm was not going to just bounce back like I hoped it would. So, this week, I spent the whole week focused on how to get through the week without full function of my arm.
I struggled with the limitations and pain that came along with this injury. I also struggled with the fatigue that comes from having to do all of your everyday tasks differently. I can’t get my left arm up to wash my hair, I can’t tie my shoelaces, and I had to find a way to put a coat on that didn’t hurt. So, I am struggling just to get through each day.
I am however rejoicing in one thing. I have gotten really in tune with my body as I have started to focus on my health. One thing I knew after my injury was that it wasn’t my shoulder. I could feel that it was the muscles in my arm and not the actual shoulder. That was confirmed when I had my follow up with the doctor. I am feeling like being that in tune with my body is going to help me recover faster. And that makes me happy.
If I have any wisdom from this incident at all is that I need to keep focusing on my body. I need to make it stronger and more stable. I know that is what will make me feel better and that is what will keep me healthy in my future even as I deal with this chronic disease.
I hope that all of you are taking care of yourselves today. I wish strength and mobility for all of you, and I hope you are able to do some things that make you happy today.