The Silver Linings of a Shoulder Injury: Why We All Need Each Other

On Wednesday I celebrated when I washed my own hair. And dried it too. I was able to put in my own earrings and pick up my purse with no problem. I have never been so grateful for these small little things that are so easy to take for granted. We just do them, right? Our brains send messages to our body and we get things done. Usually. But I injured my shoulder last week and realized how much I take these small every day things for granted. And also why we all need each other.

How it Started

This dumb shoulder thing started when I tweaked my back in my workout maybe a couple weeks ago. I was in so much pain, but figured I should just keep working it out. And complain to Dave:). I guess I’m kind of good at that.

The next day I think I overcompensated trying to not use my tweaked back as much in the workout, and came out with my shoulder hurting pretty bad. But kept going because I was sure it would work it’s way out.

The only problem? It didn’t. And I woke up the next morning unable to move my arm.

At all.

It was so painful, like nothing I’ve ever had before. Dave giving me some TLC about it and trying to help me get into doctors made me so teary. And feeling so frustrated not being able to do the things I wanted to do made me even more teary. Then I linked that injury to getting older and gosh, I was emotional and so frustrated. The only doctor appointments available were in July and urgent care wasn’t going to be able to do anything for me. Luckily we have some friends/family with connections who were able to help me get into a doctor on Tuesday. But I had a good stretch where I had several come-to-Jesus moments with pure gratitude for all that shoulders can do. And LOTS of ice packs, heat pads and Advil.

If you’re reading this go ahead and give your body a few arm circles and thank it for being so awesome.

But enough about that drama, I know so many people are dealing with SO many more serious things than a painful shoulder. And I’m sending out so much love and encouragement in whatever you are facing!

Today I’m really here to share the sweet moments in conjunction with this injury. Because there were some pretty sweet silver linings.

The Sweet Silver Linings

• Lucy was home and did my hair for me a couple times. Oh, it was just a ponytail and wouldn’t seem like a big deal to many. But it was so tender to me having the tables turn after eighteen years of me doing her hair, and her pouring her whole heart into learning how to do her own braid. It turns out those skills come in handy to help other people, too.

• My physical therapist friend helped me with some exercises (that HURT mind you), and advice to diagnose and try to keep the inflammation down before I could get to the doctor.
• Dave had to wash my hair for me and also help me blow it dry. He had to help me do even the smallest things. I was so frustrated I couldn’t do things as simple as that for myself, but it was so tender that Dave was such a perfect helper, pumping me up and making me feel better.

• Doctors are awesome, and this family friend of a friend was able to really help me with what I guess is bursitis tendonitis that I’m happy to report is getting MUCH better.

What I Learned About Needing Each Other

I’m SO SO SO grateful that my body usually works and generally really has literally no pain.

But I’m also so grateful for the chance to notice how we all need each other. We need people who show up in our hours of need. I learned that I want to be a better one of those.