Jacaranda season

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The left side of my neck has been in quite some pain for months now. My neck muscles have been as tight and hard as … hard things. Ridiculously hard things. I could not, for example, pinch the skin at the back of my neck, so permanently taut were the muscles. There have been frequent spasms. It’s been unpleasant.

Apart from physio and being diligent about rehab, I’ve done many things to try and help: new pillows; getting a backpack for my laptop; changing how I sit; changing how I stand and walk; a laptop stand for work; a bluetooth keyboard for duolingo.

Nothing I did seemed to be helping. I’d get some limited relief from physio, but it didn’t last more than a couple of days.

My shoulder muscles have been stupidly tight too – and recently I noticed that my bra strap was digging in and leaving very red marks. And noticed that I had quite deep permanent bra strap shaped gouges in my shoulders.

At first I thought this was because my muscles were so distorted and tight. But after a few weeks I wondered if maybe, possibly my bras were the cause. I’ve increased 3 cup sizes in the last couple of years and my bras have quite thin straps. It was an extremely long shot, but
I took to the InformationSuperhighway to research. And it seemed maybe it could be the cause!

I figured it was worth the experiment and bought new bras with wide straps and no elastic over the shoulders. Within a week I had significantly less pain and an increased range of movement. Excellent Physio was astounded by the difference from my prior fortnightly visit and by the solution!

My neck is still a little tight, I have some residual pain and I’m being super-careful. There is likely some nerve damage – which should fix itself in time.

The priority now is to build strength so my neck and shoulders aren’t working so hard, and reclaim some fitness!

What a weird thing.

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At last week’s appointment I told Excellent Physiotherapist that exercise finally felt like something that might be achievable.

I floated Yoga and/or Pilates. Hard No from her.
She suggested swimming. Alas it tends to hurt my neck.

So walking it is! I’m aiming for a minimum of 30 minutes. It seems terribly little, but I must start somewhere.

Today was day 3 – an extremely dull walk around the neighbourhood. Would that it could always be beautiful harbourside strolls.

I will write separately on the neck pain. After many (many!) months I’m making excellent progress – but the explanation is both extremely prosaic and completely bonkers.

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Day 2 of 100 days of walking.

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I am not interested in pats.

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Goods are stored
in distribution centers.
Shipping failed.
Click [very dodgy link]
to reschedule delivery.

Almost poetic.

Almost.

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Not Australia’s finest hour.

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I was at the good end of town this morning for my physio appointment. I arrived a little early so grabbed the opportunity to admire the greenery alongside the Museum of Contemporary Art.

If you peep through the gap in the trees, you might spy a chunk of opera house.

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Planes were kept waiting and transfers were extremely tight and despite all expectations, Joe/Frank did not miss his two connecting flights.

He even arrived home at the scheduled time. And the luggage made it too!

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Joe/Frank flies home this evening after 3 fun-filled weeks in Europe.

Alas, the first leg of his flight was delayed by 3.5 hours, so he will absolutely miss both subsequent connections and will likely arrive back on Monday, rather than tomorrow evening.

Natürlich my anxiety about this is rather high. Fortunately he has Joan in a similar time zone for potential troubleshooting, though of course at increasing distance.

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