Sunday, June 18, 2006
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Currently Listening
Every Man for Himself
By Hoobastank
see relatedI've been in the wars a bit. Allergies hit big time recently...and on top of that I've injured my shoulder.
It happened when I was returning from my hols and carrying some luggage. Even though I've got one of those shooshy pull along cases, for some inexplicable reason I lifted the bags with one arm. Felt a bit of a twinge at the time and thought nothing of it. Once we got back to London on my first day off I went to the gym. As I hadn't been for 10 days or so, it was a bit of a struggle. So I decide to push myself a little bit, you know lift a few more kilos, do a few more reps. Was quite proud of myself after the work out and was more than ready for my swim. Big mistake. Lifting the bags was one thing, gym something else but the real clincher was swimming. I didn't feel anything at the time but woke up the next morning with a dull ache in my shoulder, and also inexplicably my inside elbow. I didn't sleep much cos it was uncomfortable and by the end of the week it was so painful I had to go and see the Dr at work. Never been to the Clinic at work and was really impressed I have to say. Not so impressed that I had to pay for the privelege of seeing the doc, but then I'm a lowly contract worker not permanent member of staff. So this doc, poked and prodded, and prescribed a strong anti-inflammatory/painkiller and a trip to the physio. Once I started the course of pills it helped considerably, though took a while to kick in. Until it did I was using ice packs, well ok not an ice pack, actually a cool gel eye mask which doubled up nicely as an ice pack, and heat patches which helped a bit.
Couldn't wait to see the physio and finally get to the root of the problem. She was great. Poked and prodded, in all the right places, "does this hurt?", she kept asking. My yelps probably led her in the right direction. Wasn't easy holding my stomach in whilst she carried out her exam either! I've damaged a ligament in the shoulder rotator cuff or something, she knew exactly what I'd done anyway and gave it a name. Supraspinatus tendonitus, and apparently the pain in my lower arm is referred pain and something called a trigger point, which I looked up on the net and am still none the wiser. Something about mixed up neurological wiring from what can gather. Why I should be feeling pain in my lower arm when the damage is in the shoulder is completely beyond me..... Anyhow, she put a brace on my shoulder to help with the healing process and sent me on my way. Seeing her again next Friday.
Chris came over on Tues night with the piccs and video of the Partnership Ceremony. His friend Annie did an amazing job. There's some stunning shots. Watching the video was a little disconcerting though. It's bad enough having your picture taken! It all looked great anyway. Must admit, after a couple of bottles of vino mixed with the painkillers, I was somewhat worse for wear by the time my flatmate got home. Fun evening though.
The rest of the week was restful. Had to be really, Dr's orders and all that. Spent an inordinate amount of time playing on the 360. Had some great gaming sessions with some American guys I got chatting to on Xbox Live who I now hook up with quite regularly online. They crack me up cos they're sooooooo competitive. Nice bunch of guys actually. Completely mad, but fun to play against. Kept me entertained anyway. Well that and The 4400 second series which Matt leant me. Awesome show. I watched the entire series in the space of 24 hours I think. It's one of those shows that just gets better and better. I did feel a bit guilty for not doing much of anything on my days off, but my shoulder really limited me. I mean, the gym is out of the question until I've had a whole new programme devised by the physio. Swimming is a big no no too apparently. So it really was, and still is, a case of being really careful not to compound the existing problem. Knowing and getting used to certain limitations I guess....for the time being at least.
It was Robbies 30th last night. Matt and I got him a subscription to National Geographic magazine which he was absoloutely stoked about. I Photoshopped a cover of the magazine, putting a pic of Robbie on it, a pic of the Calgary Tower amongst other things, with the headline "Was Darwin Wrong?". Luckily he saw the funny side when I gave it to him last night. We all met up at a Gastro Pub in Islington for his bash. It was great to get everyone together. Even Pup & Matt made it, along with Chris & Alan who drove us there, bless em, so we could drink. Miles was looking considerably more tanned than everyone else, not surprising as he'd spent the afternoon on a sunbed, though I'm convinced it was spray job!, and even Robbie had a nice glow to him. It was a really nice evening actually, good to catch up with everyone, and I had a great chat with Alan. Robbie looked like he was having a great time which was the most important thing obviously, as was everyone else. By 11:30, Chris was decidedly whoozy, Alan very tired (way past his bedtime), Matt was feeling the effects, though considering he'd only got back from Hong Kong that day did remarkably well, and I, well seeing as I'm a lush apparently, I was fine. I think over the years I've built up an immunity to alcohol! Either that or the Northern gene precludes me from getting hammered too quickly, unless its pints of lager, but that gives you a hell of a beer belly...which just aint good, especially in the Summer when more is on show!! I was more than ready to go anyway as my arm was giving me a lot of grief. Hard to describe the pain really, its kinda like the feeling you have after having had an injection or blood taken. We all said our goodbyes, agreed to numerous dinner dates, few of which will actually come to fruition, more's the pity and made our way to the car. Bit of mystery tour back home, basically cos I'm hopeless at giving directions, but eventually we got there and it was time to hit the hay.
Really rough night. My arm ached like a mother, and sleep evaded me for some time. Woke up at various times during the night, trying to find a comfortable sleeping position, to no avail. Was awoke by birdsong at some unholy hour of the morning, then went back to sleep. Alarm went off...hit snooze....alarm went off again...hit snooze, alarm went off, changed alarm time. Alarm went off, eventually got up. I'm sooooooo not a morning person. These people that get up at the crack of dawn, shower, watch tv, have breakfast then go to work....it's just not right....and as for those who go the gym before work?!!!!!!!
Had breakfast, which consisted of Benadryl for allergies and Diclofenac for shoulder, and a glass of cranberry juice to wash it down. Yum. Slapped a heat patch on my aching arm, and set off for work. Drove through the park and saw the normal Sunday morning crowd. Joggers, cyclists, power walkers....what the hell is power walking anyway? Either walk or run, don't walk quickly flailing your arms around like a demented chicken. Funny to watch though, so it has some value. We pulled up outside the office and I had the bizarre notion of having McD's for breakfast. Note to self. NEVER have McD's again....The packaging of my bagel tasted better than the contents, but that's probably cos some of the melted plastic cheese was welded to it.
When we saw Matt and Pup on Sat night we kinda arranged to meet up this Tues, whether permitting, for a picnic. Matt called me earlier today and suggested we go to a Theme Park instead. Now when it comes to Theme Parks in the
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