Ardith Hinton wrote to James Bradley <=-

I had been pushing my physical limits for some time...
[...] I'll know better in future (maybe). :-)

Good luck with that! <L>

Thanks... I may need it! Digging down to the next layer, as NT's are wont to do, I recognize that I come from a long line of
people whose philosophy Elizabeth the Queen Mother
explained quite succinctly (IIRC) as "You just carry on."

Stalwart, stoic, good little soldiers are we to follow the Queen Mum! <chuckle> Likely, the better lesson is how to tune into those warning signs
to better be *able* to "carry on". If we set out on a hike (A "forced
march" in my parlance. ;-) and develop a blister under our shoes, should we walk differently to develop more blisters, or stop to dress the wound and put on a pair of dry socks? (BTW, two pairs of dry, clean socks almost
eliminates blisters on the feet for those reading.)

She carried on, in reasonably good health, for more than a
hundred years. My family didn't quite match her record, but
they defied the odds as well. One of the ideas I've been
working on is figuring out what they did right. Another is
learning to acknowledge what my body is trying to tell me.
If it hurts when I try to do such-and-such, maybe I need to
back off for the time being.... :-)

But, licking our wounds is seen as a negative trait. <G+D>

I used to be so encouraged that I inherited mom's low BP. Now, I learned
about all the other things I am likely to have inherited from my parents. I suppose I *should* stop smoking, and cut down on the sulfides and other bad foods. <...>

...

Yes, on both counts. I did receive a few warning signals. I ignored them because they seemed to be temporary. That's
what I'd been taught to do... but then, as I said, the pain
"settled in". I woke up one morning when we were getting
ready for a camping trip & expressed some concern over the
packing etc. which had to be completed within forty-eight
hours. Dallas understood what was involved & suggested we
postpone the trip. In retrospect I'm quite glad we did
because otherwise we'd have been away when the pain hit its
peak... [wry grin].

You may have acknowledged late but that's better than not at all. <smirk>
Next time you *will* know better. I have confidence in you. (-;

For me, I woke up with pain in my shoulder. The simple fix was to stop
falling asleep with my arm behind my head. Your modifications to behavior
will not be so simple.

...

I don't completely understand your problem, but I understand that you may be receiving confused signals from the nerves.

I don't usually notice the errant nerve, until it forces muscle contractions or joint pain. In retrospect, it's no wonder my old MD was suspicious. "How would I describe the pain? All the above!" <L>

FWIW I also understand that the "no pain -- no gain" theory
has beeen disputed in professional circles. It seems to me
that if you have a problem which is rather unusual you must
rely on your own intuition. So you're bucking the tide?
SURVIVORS often do that. ;-)

I guess you "survive" it or you don't. <Cha-G>

Seriously, this isn't the first time it has given you
trouble, right?

You're thinking of the other shoulder... [wry grin].

I trust you'll forgive my ignorance? <chuckle>

Of course. You tolerate mine in good spirit.... :-)

Oh... Is *that* what support groups are for? <ROTF>

<EG> Seriously, I suppose exercise is in order once you
have the pain under control?

Yes, I think that is often the case. I once felt women got plenty of exercise doing routine housework... until a chiropractor
pointed out to me that women often have weak muscles at the back of
their shoulders because they spend so much of their time changing
diapers, looking down at small children, washing various
items in sinks installed at the ideal height for a previous
generation, etc. All these activities involve bending
forward... and I do more of the same when I'm crawling
around on the floor helping our daughter put on her splint
or retrieving something she's dropped under the bed! My
usual exercises provide a balance which I don't get in the
course of my daily work. You may find you are using
certain muscle groups unevenly as well. People tend to do
that when some part of their body hurts. The burden falls
on the parts which don't hurt. ;-)

Those secondary "blisters" were still quite a surprise. I'm still astonished by how much my good side has to pick up where the bad one leaves its
burden, or how affected the back is becoming but we do what we can with
what we gots, I guess.

I'll practice my "density", but if a person is bending lower to compensate
for the last generations perfect work surface height, wouldn't that
strengthen those back muscles?

Coincidentally - *maybe* sympathetically |-) I woke
in the middle of the night to what I imagine was rotator
cuff "inflammation". I guess my gland drained itself,
because it was mostly gone by morning. But, back to you....

That was my reaction at first... the pain was
mostly gone by morning. Now's the time to ask yourself,
"What have I been doing (or overdoing) recently which
involves that particular shoulder?" You may be surprised
when you add it all up. But in my experience, the sooner
you add it all up the better.... :-)

THERE's something I could learn. <L>

True, I spent a bit of time behind a screw gun, and I *did* take a few
breaks to address a sore shoulder, but I think (Ya, working without the
right tools again. B-) most of that was "good" pain. Recovery from those episodes was complete, and the hurt took longer each time to reappear. If
the pain occurs sooner each time after a recovery is the gauge I've always used to modify my behavior, all else being cooperative. I haven't a clue
if that's what the medical profession recommends, but it (usually |-) works for me.


... Old is when you are cautioned to slow down by the doctor, not the police. ___ MultiMail/Linux v0.49

--- Maximus 3.01
* Origin: -=-= Calgary Organization CDN (403) 242-3221 (1:342/77)

Hi, James... happy Twelfth Night, Epiphany, Feast of the Theophany, Gregorian Christmas, or whatever! Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

[...] I recognize that I come from a long line of people
whose philosophy Elizabeth the Queen Mother explained quite
succinctly (IIRC) as "You just carry on."

Stalwart, stoic, good little soldiers are we to follow
the Queen Mum!

And do our duty, of course.... Q-)

<chuckle> Likely, the better lesson is how to tune into
those warning signs to better be *able* to "carry on".

I was a slow learner in PE... but I'll get there eventually. :-))

[...] should we walk differently to develop more blisters,
or stop to dress the wound and put on a pair of dry socks?
(BTW, two pairs of dry, clean socks almost eliminates
blisters on the feet for those reading.)

Hadn't heard that one. I've made a mental note.... :-)

If it hurts when I try to do such-and-such, maybe I need
to back off for the time being.... :-)

But, licking our wounds is seen as a negative trait. <G+D>

Yet I've read that saliva... dog saliva in particular... has healing
properties! Seriously, though... there are various ways of accomplishing tasks
which need to be done without shopping for sympathy or dumping them on somebody
else. If my body objects when I persist in doing what I've always done without
devoting much thought to it, a closer examination may be in order. :-)

I used to be so encouraged that I inherited mom's low BP.
Now, I learned about all the other things I am likely to
have inherited from my parents.

OTOH, if you need medication for these things which raises the blood
pressure as a side effect you'll have one less side effect to worry about. ;-)

I suppose I *should* stop smoking, and cut down on the
sulfides and other bad foods. <...>

Ah... the tyranny of the "shoulds"! Although I'm tempted to write a
long diatribe here, I'd like to get back to you within the current century. In
short: Who is telling you what you should do? Have they any idea what's going
on in your life right now? And are you aware that generally accepted ideas WRT
"good" or "bad" may be influenced as much by the whims of fashion or by a lobby
group as by an increase in scientific knowledge? I much prefer Bernie Siegel's
attitude... you'll do the above if & when you're ready. Meanwhile there may be
benefits from your standpoint which others have not taken into account.... :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith Hinton wrote to James Bradley <=-

Hi, James... happy Twelfth Night, Epiphany, Feast of the
Theophany, Gregorian Christmas, or whatever! Recently you
wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

Back at ya! Such that it is, or should-a/could-a/would-a been. :-)

[...] succinctly (IIRC) as "You just carry on."

Stalwart, stoic, good little soldiers are we to follow
the Queen Mum!

And do our duty, of course.... Q-)

Not as much as we used to. *8-0

I was a slow learner in PE... but I'll get there eventually.
:-))

If you cross the finish line in last place - so long as you arrive with all the gear you started with... H2O may be transpired.

(BTW, two pairs of dry, clean socks almost eliminates
blisters on the feet for those reading.)

Hadn't heard that one. I've made a mental note.... :-)

A side benefit, is if you make the first layer polypropaline (SP?) or another wicking synthetic material and the outer layer an insulating fabric like
wool, your feet are rarely subject to cold. Wool I like most, because it's
a *bugger* for ticks to get through, and works when wet.

But, licking our wounds is seen as a negative trait. <G+D>

Yet I've read that saliva... dog saliva in particular... has healing properties! Seriously, though... there are various
ways of accomplishing tasks which need to be done without
shopping for sympathy or dumping them on somebody else. If
my body objects when I persist in doing what I've always
done without devoting much thought to it, a closer
examination may be in order. :-)

That implies that we shouldn't ask for help at all. <?> When there's never been any forthcoming from past attempts to procure it, some say it is
insane behavior to ask again expecting different results. <Colour me bewildered>

BTW, I heard on Dr. Oz that alcohol and peroxide type cleaners are too good
at cleaning wounds. The bad stuff *and* the good stuff gets cleared off the table.

OTOH, if you need medication for these things
which raises the blood pressure as a side effect you'll
have one less side effect to worry about. ;-)

From past prescriptions, I can emphatically say 'Yup!' <L>

I suppose I *should* stop smoking, and cut down on the
sulfides and other bad foods. <...>

Ah... the tyranny of the "shoulds"! Although I'm tempted to write a long diatribe here, I'd like to get back to you within
the current century. In short: Who is telling you what
you should do? Have they any idea what's going on in your
life right now? And are you aware that generally accepted
ideas WRT "good" or "bad" may be influenced as much by the
whims of fashion or by a lobby group as by an increase in
scientific knowledge? I much prefer Bernie Siegel's
attitude... you'll do the above if & when you're ready.
Meanwhile there may be benefits from your standpoint which
others have not taken into account.... :-)

Well, there's the irrefutable truths which everyone "should" do for their health *if* they want to live a long life. When every day hurts, it can be
a struggle to floss the teeth every night to prevent a heart attack. (Or thereabouts. |-)


... James
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.49

PS: I trust you're used to my "Lord I'm busy" excuse by now? I have a new (old) fridge in my broken down van. Once I get the hardwood flooring
cleared from the landing and from in front of the old fridge, get the old fridge out of the way and the new (old) fridge in its place, then fix the charging system on the van; I'll get right back to ya. <G>

--- Maximus 3.01
* Origin: -=-= Calgary Organization CDN (403) 242-3221 (1:342/77)

Hi, James! Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

And do our duty, of course.... Q-)

Not as much as we used to. *8-0

Uh-huh. I'm taking our chiropractor's advice to move slowly... thus giving the brain enough time to receive input from the nerves & decide whether or not to abort a particular mission *before* I've caused more damage. :-))

BTW... around the time I injured my shoulder you had some adventures in the ER with post-surgical bleeding. I trust you are on the mend by now...?

(BTW, two pairs of dry, clean socks almost eliminates
blisters on the feet for those reading.)

Hadn't heard that one. I've made a mental note.... :-)

A side benefit, is if you make the first layer
polypropaline (SP?)

|polypropylene. GAGE CANADIAN DICTIONARY is a
wonderful resource for those of us who aren't
too confident of our skill in chemistry. ;-)

or another wicking synthetic material and the
outer layer an insulating fabric like wool, your
feet are rarely subject to cold.

When I was in Saskatchewan at Christmas years ago that's essentially what I did. I remained warm & blister-free too, although my boots were not of the highest quality. I guess I got it right! Thanks for the validation. :-)

Wool I like most, because it's a *bugger* for ticks
to get through, and works when wet.

Hmm. I remember being warned as a child about ticks & about how one could avoid them by wearing long sleeves etc., but even nowadays I don't see a word anywhere else about wool socks. I've made another mental note... [grin].




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith Hinton wrote to James Bradley <=-

RE: Obligations to the Queen <G>

Uh-huh. I'm taking our chiropractor's advice to
move slowly... thus giving the brain enough time to receive
input from the nerves & decide whether or not to abort a
particular mission *before* I've caused more damage. :-))

Oh... Now *there's* something I should learn! <ROTF> I successfully troubleshoot why the van wouldn't charge its battery yesterday. Today, I
woke up and started to strap on the boots to fix it. (Jack it up to replace
a wire or two.) "Nope! Not so fast hot shot."

BTW... around the time I injured my shoulder you had some adventures in the ER with post-surgical bleeding. I trust
you are on the mend by now...?

SN-A Fowled U. <L> As usual, a confluence of indications had the pros
err on the side of caution. Me, I just wanted to stay in bed instead of
stand around in ER departments for 50% of those three days. Today, our
health administrators are bragging about reduced wait times. A dollar
short and a day late like usual.

RE: Moleskin (TM) vrs. two pair or socks

Hadn't heard that one. I've made a mental note.... :-)

A side benefit, is if you make the first layer
polypropaline (SP?)

|polypropylene. GAGE CANADIAN DICTIONARY is a
wonderful resource for those of us who aren't
too confident of our skill in chemistry. ;-)

"Gage dictionary" Mental note to self.... [-|

outer layer an insulating fabric like wool, your
feet are rarely subject to cold.

When I was in Saskatchewan at Christmas years ago
that's essentially what I did. I remained warm & blister-
free too, although my boots were not of the highest
quality. I guess I got it right! Thanks for the
validation. :-)

Instincts and layers can get many through cold spots. <G> BTW, every car - even you fair-weathered motorists - should contain a candle and lighter. If stuck in a snowbank, crack open the leeward to the prevailing wind window,
and light the candle in a food can or other container that isn't about to
burn you to the ground. It won't keep you warm, but it'll keep you from
being a frozen block over night. OK, if you're in Belize or Guatemala I
won't refuse a ride from you if you are not so equipped, but even Texans or Floridians might consider such a kit for a month or two in the year.

Wool I like most, because it's a *bugger* for ticks
to get through, and works when wet.

Hmm. I remember being warned as a child about
ticks & about how one could avoid them by wearing long
sleeves etc., but even nowadays I don't see a word anywhere
else about wool socks. I've made another mental note...
[grin].

To think about it, it might have been a tidbit of verbal wisdom passed on
to me decades ago, but everything else I know about the subject seems to reinforce the theory. Most ticks attach to their hosts by crawling up from
the ground, not by falling out of a tree. The strand of wool is a prickly place, even if it is carded wool....

Now, I need to hit the hills or visit Manitoba before I see anything but a rouge tick, but the other benefits to the two layer approach are many.



... James
___ MultiMail/Linux v0.49

--- Maximus 3.01
* Origin: -=-= Calgary Organization CDN (403) 242-3221 (1:342/77)

Hi again, James! This is a continuation of my previous message to you:

... there are various ways of accomplishing tasks which
need to be done without shopping for sympathy or dumping
them on somebody else. If my body objects when I persist
in doing what I've always done without devoting much
thought to it, a closer examination may be in order. :-)

That implies that we shouldn't ask for help at all. <?>

Au contraire. Sometimes it's difficult for eldest/onlies to ask for help when they need it... you may be in the same boat if you're the first-born male in the family. After years of being told (not by my parents, but... as I now realize... by later-borns) that I must learn to fend for myself, and after years of having to fend for myself because nobody else I knew had been where I wanted to go, I'm slow to recognize when (or how) to solicit aid. People will often crawl out of the woodwork exactly when I need them most, however, once I have acknowledged in my own mind that I'm feeling quite overwhelmed. And just as my Latin teacher used to say, necessity is the mother of invention.... :-)

When there's never been any forthcoming from past
attempts to procure it, some say it is insane behavior
to ask again expecting different results.

Hmm. IIRC I was hesitant to post that long diatribe about the young bucks who think the way to eliminate a mature stand of weeds is to chop up the roots & conceal the evidence under half an inch of topsoil, or the middle ager who brags about her genius-level IQ but doesn't see any significant difference between a message from Ardith to herself (typed in Fidonet format) & the notes handwritten by a third party on grocery receipts, fragments of junk mail, etc. Such people make more work for me, not less. I guess I should be grateful for those who seem to have good intentions but don't follow through... [wry grin].

In my attempt not to be too wordy I probably left out some important context clues. Dallas & I know a family of four, for example, where everybody takes turns being sick. Whoever is sick doesn't have to lift a finger... with the apparent result that they're unmotivated to get better. It's not my style ... it's not your style... and it's not practical under the circumstances. We take turns shovelling snow etc. Dallas helped lengthen the chain on a ceiling light fixture once the idea had dawned on me that I wouldn't be able to get at it easily within the foreseeable future & I now ask him to hang up a few items such as the 13" frying pan which I dropped on my foot, but apart from that I'm trying to find solutions which don't put too much of a burden on him. In this household all of us have some degree of disability... in yours there is nobody else on call. Either way, being sick doesn't enable us to avoid work.... ;-)

BTW, I heard on Dr. Oz that alcohol and peroxide type
cleaners are too good at cleaning wounds. The bad stuff
*and* the good stuff gets cleared off the table.

Could be... I've heard much the same about antibacterial soaps. :-)

Well, there's the irrefutable truths which everyone "should"
do for their health *if* they want to live a long life.

Glad to see you've put "should" in quotes here! You may recall that the same folks who are so keen to tell others what they should do are probably not looking very far beneath the surface & are almost certainly not looking at *you*. Their idea of "common sense", however, is difficult to refute.... :-)

When every day hurts, it can be a struggle to floss the teeth
every night to prevent a heart attack. (Or thereabouts. |-)

Yup. On average, people who do (or don't do) xxx may be at a higher risk for yyy... but if either of us was average we probably wouldn't be having this conversation! When faced with unusual circumstances we must think beyond the sound bites du jour & arrive at an independent cost/benefit analysis. :-)

I have a new (old) fridge in my broken down van. Once I get the
hardwood flooring cleared from the landing and from in front of
the old fridge, get the old fridge out of the way and the new
(old) fridge in its place, then fix the charging system on the
van; I'll get right back to ya. <G>

Wonderful wonderful! Stay as sweet as you are... [chuckle].




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+
* Origin: Wits' End, Vancouver CANADA (1:153/716)

Ardith,

I was a slow learner in PE... but I'll get there eventually. :-))

I probably would've flunked it. :P

Ah... the tyranny of the "shoulds"! Although I'm tempted to write a
long diatribe here, I'd like to get back to you within the current century.

Really. Only each individual knows how their system will react to
various medicines, etc.

Daryl

===
■ OLX 1.53 ■ 350 cubic inch V8?? That's one big can of vegetable juice
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Win32
* Origin: FIDONet: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)

Ardith,

Hmm. I remember being warned as a child about ticks & about how one AH>could avoid them by wearing long sleeves etc., but even nowadays I don't see AH>word anywhere else about wool socks. I've made another mental note... [grin

We haven't had much in the way of winter the last 2 years in
Arkansas. The insects were real bad last year, and I'm afraid they'll be
worse this year.

Daryl

===
■ OLX 1.53 ■ 665 and 667 - Satan's neighbors.
--- SBBSecho 3.03-Win32
* Origin: FIDONet: The Thunderbolt BBS - wx1der.dyndns.org (1:19/33)