|
2/27/1999 Still SoreMy neck is still sore today. The pain radiates from the base of my skull down the back of my neck toward my left shoulder blade. The heating pad last night helped a little, and a warm shower before bed felt wonderful, but I woke up still stiff and sore. I'm trying to ignore it, but it is difficult. At least I can take comfort in the knowledge that mine is a temporary condition. How do people live with chronic, life-long pain? Pain affects every aspect of life, making it difficult to enjoy everyday pleasures. I've had to be careful not to turn suddenly, and I've avoided lifting the twins more than necessary. While we were sitting on the couch this morning, Stephen took my face in his hands to kiss me, and pain streaked down my neck. I flinched and snapped at him, "Don't pull on my head!" I immediately felt sorry for yelling and told him it was because my neck is sore. "I'm sorry your neck hurts, Mama," he said. Tab took Matthew with him this morning to Halo Farm for milk and eggs and to the Italian People's Bakery for the half torpedo rolls we like to use for sandwiches. Left home with me, Stephen and Daniel played remarkably well together. Daniel invited Stephen up to his room, much to Stephen's delight. Daniel's room is Shangri-La to the twins, a forbidden paradise holding all kinds of treasures. I heard Daniel showing Stephen the projects he is building with his Legos and K'Nex and allowing him to play with some of his cars. Later I heard Daniel "reading" to Stephen. I tiptoed up the stairs and peeked into the room, where I saw Daniel and Stephen lying on the bed, much as Tab and Daniel do when Tab reads to Daniel at night. Of course, it wasn't all joy and love up there. Eventually Stephen did something that made Daniel mad. Daniel banished him from his room, and Stephen came downstairs in tears. But in a few minutes they had made up and were playing up there again.
|