credit: Phong Nguyen Dinh on pixabay
Meanwhile, Gemini with Aries Rising. That suggests someone who likes to talk about themselves. If you ask my daughters, you’ll find that’s me to a T.
Apart from that, it also suggests someone who might have trouble with hands, arms, and maybe her head. Yep, that’s me too. And that’s what this post is about.
Twenty-plus years ago I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the neck vertebrae. I’ve kept that under control all these years. But this past year, possibly because of problems with my eyes (now resolved) I’ve been rather clumsy on my feet. I’ve taken some tumbles. The worst was in September when, in my eagerness to get a photo (see below) I tripped up a step and my head collided with a concrete wall. Result, mild concussion. And a massive jolt to the neck-vertebrae.
24th September 2023
Coming on six months later I have lots of pain in my arm caused by compression of the nerves leaving the spinal cord in the neck. Writing has become difficult, especially writing lots.
And so, I have shelved the intended next novel. For now.
But I can’t not write. Pull out my hair in frustration. Jump up and down in frustration.
Solution?
Editing requires less hand-work than full-on writing, and there’s a story I wrote back in 2016 and subsequently posted in serialised form on this blog. Might I be able to revive it?
I looked. I read. I decided to go for it.
But I can only work in short bursts, same as I’m having to restrict my time in writing comments. My enormous apologies if it looks like I’m ignoring you. I am not. I’m reading, but maybe I’m not always commenting.
And that’s my update cos I really can’t type anymore. The arm will improve, just needs some physio. Please bear with me.
crispina kemp 
I’ve had lifelong problems with my lower back. There are times when the pain is so great I find it difficult to concentrate or do any writing, so I can understand what it’s like.
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Thank you, Joanne. You have to suffer similar to know what it’s like.
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I’m so sorry that you’re having problems with your joints. Neck pain is quite debilitating! Wishing you quick recovery dear friend. Take care. Try the voice to text typing on your device. With practice it works well.
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Thank you, Sadje. I’m pacing. So long as I don’t overdo it, I can manage. Unfortunately, I’m not very good at not overdoing things!
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You’re welcome. Take care and treat yourself gently.
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I’m trying to pace myself. But it seems everything I enjoy doing causes more pain.
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I’m sorry my friend. 🥰
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It’ll heal. It’ll get better. So long as I behave
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Take care.
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I’m so sorry you suffer with chronic pain too. I have a connective tissue disorder that makes my joints extremely painful, as well as fibromyalgia and arthritis. I know how miserable it all can be. I hope you feel better soon!
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Thank you. Sorry to hear of your debilities. I’m hoping physiotherapy will chase mine away 🙂
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I am so sorry you are suffering so, my friend. Can not physiotherapy help? Or some other kind to help un-pinch?
Sending you lotsa love!
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he wheels of our NHS turn exceedingly slow. But it is in hand. Just have to be patient. But I can’t not write, and so the editing. And I love the story. 🙂
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Heard and understood.
Patience… the virtue we all need when dealing with the health (and many other) system!
Glad you do 🙂
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I was speaking with someone this morning who had the same problem as me. He said, it’s not quick to heal. Expect to be hampered for at least 3 years (and he was a fit healthy young man!)
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Oh damn. I hope it doesn’t take that long for you!
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I’m reminded of the time I caught a virus that gave me a stiff neck. There was one, and only one position in which I was comfortable, sitting in a chair, propped up by pillows. I spent the day watching TV, including such gems as the movie “Nice Girls Don’t Explode.”
Crispina, some word processing software does have dictation capabilities. It may be your computer is too old, or your software likewise, to make this capability workable. But if you haven’t, you should look into it.
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Thanks for the recommendation. If this condition lasts too long, or cannot be resolved, then I shall certainly look into it. But truth, Brian, I love typing. I’ve been doing it for nigh on 60 yrs (mostly for pleasure purposes) 🙂
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And there is the acknowledged problem that unless one’s enunciation is perfectly clear, dictation can create a problem, certainly with punctuation, sometimes with spelling.
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I can use speech dictation on my phone, for twitter. I tried it couple years back. Yea, not very successful.
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I was very dismayed to read of your neck problems. Your health is the most important thing! Please take some time, rest, and regroup, we will be waiting on your return.
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Thank you Frank. I shall not desert you. I just have to pace myself, not something that comes natural to me 🙂
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I hope your recovery is as speedy as possible.
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Thank you, Andrea. I just have to do as I’m told, and that’s not something I’m good at doing! But if I don’t, then I get more pain. Yes, life has become the lion tamer!
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