January 31, 2006

That Pain In My Hip

Anyone else have one? I used to just refer to it as That Pain In My Hip. Recently I've graduated to calling it sciatica. Labels can be useful.

Before I'd be asked, "What's wrong with your hip?"
I'd say, "Oh, it's just That Pain In My Hip."
I'd get a nod with a blankish look.
(Except from Wendy of course.
She knows all about That Pain in My Hip.)

Now I say, "Oh my sciatica is flaring up."
I get knowing sympathic nods in response.

Having a pain with a real name seems to inspire more understanding than a random pain which hasn't even achieved the status of a real label.

Saturday, That Pain In My Hip was distracting. My mother noticed. She noticed because some mothers have that instinct. I'm not sure I have it, certainly to a lesser degree than my mother. She always has a suggestion for relief. She's prepared like that although I don't think she was ever a Girl Scout. Saturday was no exception.

"Does your hip hurt?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"Stay right there! I've got just the solution!" She raced from the kitchen and returned waving a Thermacare HeatWrap.

"Here, strap this on."

I bit back all strap-on jokes because, well, it was my mother. Instead, I did as I was told because while not always having been the most obedient child, I am a fairly obedient adult. Plus my hip really hurt. I'd try anything.

We spent the day lifting and hauling and sorting as we cleaned out one of her storage rooms. My hip didn't bother me all day. That HeatWrap worked wonders.

My family is in a transition period. The one where the roles flipflop a bit and the children take on an almost parental role as their parents age. But my mother, bless her heart, still mothers even while being mothered herself.

.

6 comments:

Geeky Dragon Girl said...

Sciatica... well, I've heard of it. Sounds like a movie though... no wait, I'm thinking of Gattica. Hold on, let me Google this... ... ...ah. I understand now. *sympathetic nod* Pinched nerves are the worst! Those of you wanting a quick brush-up on your sciatica knowledge, here's something: http://www.spine-health.com/topics/cd/d_sciatica/sc01.html

Then you, too, can nod sympathetically because you'll know what you're nodding about!

Eyes for Lies said...

You are dealing with a lot pain lately. My heart and hug go out to you...

Gina said...

Those Thermacare wraps rock!

Sciatica hurts quite a bit, I am told. A friend of my grandmother's has sciatica and has gotten physical therapy for it, and she says that helped make it feel better.

Just a suggestion!

Anonymous said...

Having just had a daughter provide quite a bit of care for me, I understand the parenting the parent. I still can't get her to gargle with salt water for a sore throat, though. Once a mom always a mom.

chapin said...

I'm familiar with a sciatica and I feel your pain. I don't know how you feel about cortizone but a shot of it calms mine down for six months at a time. Good luck with the pain.

Suzanne said...

gdg, thanks for the informative linkie.

You other folks who suffer from sciatica: may I recommend yoga? The stretches I learned there help the pain melt away. Now I just need to get back into the habit of doing said stretches regularly.

Suzanne