I hope I recharged

My typical Sundays consist of some sort of adventure. I love exploring new outdoor locations near my current beautiful home base of Los Angeles. This weekend, though, I listened to my body and laid low. I am currently on the tail end of a flare-up, and my body truly needed to rest and heal. I haven't been to aerial in almost 3 weeks as a result of this flare-up, and it's driving me crazy (especially since my incredible instructor will be moving away in just a few short weeks).

On Saturday, I walked about 10 minutes to a friend's house and 10 back minutes home, and otherwise did not leave home. Even Saturday night, a friend came over to watch a movie with my husband and I, because my whole body hurt too much to go out, despite minimal movement all day.

Then today, I got a full body, deep tissue massage. I asked my massage therapist to especially focus on my troublesome left hip and she did an incredible job. I finally got relief from my nagging hip pain, and I hope the muscle relaxation will last somewhat into my week. Then I did some light shopping, and an a cappella buddy came over and we sat around and sang for hours. Singing is one of my escapes, and I was so happy to be doing something fun that didn't require thinking about how I was positioning every part of my body at all times.

This weekend was a much-needed recovery time from this past flare-up.

I also saw my rheumatologist on Friday and we decided together that the naproxen is not working for me, as I still seem to get a major flare-up around every 6 weeks (on top of the daily pain). In addition to suggesting either corticosteroid-lidocaine injections or homeopathic injections that I now need to consider, she recommended one more type of anti-inflammatory medication to try before we've exhausted the category. I'm hopeful that this one will work, because my options after this last anti-inflammatory begin to come with more side effects. One option would be to try a low dose of an antidepressant that is approved for pain management and may also counter some of the fatigue. The other option is venturing into the narcotic category. Either option terrifies me.

I need to be sharp and active all day, every day for my job. I don't know how medications that directly act on brain receptors or hormonal pathways will impact my clarity or emotions, and I am scared of the impact they may have on my daily requirements and high demand at work. So for now, here's to hoping. Hoping the new medication will work for me. Hoping I continue to have the strength to listen to my body. Hoping my body tells me I can be active again soon. Hoping I can make it to aerial this week. Hoping I have more opportunities to sing. Hoping I can ride the upswing to the top and stay there for as long as possible.

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