I’m 10 weeks out from my hip replacement surgery and after a rough road I’m so grateful to report that things are on the upswing with regards to pain and mobility. I’ve been able to ditch my walker and return to using my cane for the most part.
A few weeks ago, when I was having a particularly challenging day, my frustration was pleasantly interrupted when I noticed that reaching up to grab the cord to the window blind in my living room was significantly easier than it had been before the surgery. That made me think about how lifting items has also become easier.
For context, when I first got hit with Scleroderma symptoms it attacked the connective tissue in my shoulders and upper body (Latissimus Dorsi muscle for the anatomy techy’s out there). This caused significant constriction of my range of motion, including reaching.
One of the things I didn’t anticipate in my recovery was the amount of upper body exertion that it would take to push and lug the walker around and to get myself in and out of bed. This turned out to be an intense form of upper body physical therapy!
It got me thinking about how, when we’re in the midst of a struggle, it’s hard to see beyond it. And that can blind us from recognizing any growth or blessings that may be blooming right under our eyes (or shoulders in my case), as a result of that experience.
It’s a reminder that if we allow ourselves to be open, there’s always something to be grateful for…even in the challenging times.
#WednesdayWisdom
#survivingscleroderma
#sclerodermawarrior
#BeaconOfHope
