I have good news! I finally figured out what's wrong with my neck/upper back. To fill you in, I have been experiencing pain there for about 20 years, but in the past few it got pretty bad, combined with a constant, worsening headache. So bad that I had to stop doing a lot of the things I love, including pickleball. : ( Even painting made the pain worse.
I saw many health care professionals, and they all had confidence in their theories, but got no results. Finally I got a cervical MRI and could see clearly that I had a herniated disc that was pressing on nerves and my spinal cord.
At the end of January I had surgery to remove the disc and fuse 2 vertebrae. The recovery has been a little rocky due to the fact that I can't tolerate opioids, but I am feeling a little better every day.
So, just to let you know that I'm still here! And getting better. Hoping that this surgery solves all my issues and that I can get back to painting (and pickleball!) in the near future. I hope you are all well and thriving!
11 comments:
Hi Carol. I am so so sorry you have been in such horrible pain, and for years. I hope and pray your surgery (despite bumps in recovery) will ultimately provide you a much better quality of life. "Still" activities that keep us in fixed positions are hard on our backs and necks. If you want me to send you youtube links to some short sets of slow wonderful Qi Gong stretches, feel free to send me an email or reply here. I had extremely disabling daily rare intractible headaches for decades and my life improved dramatically after I started treatment via Mayo Clinic, and started Qi Gong. I hope your good/great days will far outnumber painful or uncomfortable days, and hope you are able to paint your beautiful heart out soon.
Been concerned about your absence. Hope your recovery continues and the surgery proves successful.
Many wishes for your recovery and god feeling and returning to the things you enjoy, and the pictures that we enjoy.
Glad to hear you’re doing better. I can understand missing pickleball and painting! Keep on the healing path
So glad to see you posting again! I was worried! Happy healing!
Hi Carol, sooo good to hear from you again! I was worried because you were not posting any more. Good luck and all the best for your recovery :)! Svenja
So glad you are making progress. Hope you are able to get back to painting and pickleball soon.
That's great news Carol and you haven't lost a step...these are great sketches...keep well!
Just so you know, you are a great inspiration for me and have been for awhile now…I was sad to hear about your disc and wish you an uncomplicated recovery. It will take time. Your iPad sketches rock! I piddle around with Procreate on my iPad but am impressed at the accuracy and apparent ease in these value studies. You have, I think, a certain special quality in all the work you do.
Kind regards
Sandra Doan
I know you thru your book and website, your style accentuated the beauty in even common items. Something ineffable in your style that drew me to read your book and begin painting. A long way for me to go, but I'm thankful for your inspirational paintings and wisdom. Anyway I've had severe back pain, to the point I was confident I was dying, but happy to report that I now feel normal. Recovery is a long haul, similar to learning how to paint I suppose. Hang in there, things do get better.
Thanks for the info. You are now painting a bit like I do, however, not quite as loose.
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