Monday, June 3, 2019

I Turned 106 Years Old Yesterday

Not really, I actually only turned 56, but I've been feeling like I'm about 106 for the last couple of months, so there you go.  Instead of marking my birthday with a run, I marked it with food...I'll have more on that in Wednesday's post.  After last year's 5.5 mile run where I ended up getting heat exhaustion I swore off running that many miles in June because in case you haven't heard, it's freaking hot in Texas in June.

I had hoped to do something different to mark the occasion, either by running .56 miles or by doing something with 56 reps or calories burned at my workout, but nope, that was not happening.  Which is just another reason why I've been feeling so old and decrepit - this person who has pretty much laid on the couch for the last two months is not who I am.  Well, it is.  But I don't like it.

I've really not felt any particular age as I've moved through life - I've just been me, at whatever age, living life.  But as my birthday got closer, it was a reminder that I AM GETTING OLDER.  I know, I'm as shocked as you are!

This is the first year where I haven't been able to meet my new age with as much acceptance as I have in years past.  I mean, I'm OK with being 56, but I'm not so OK with being 56 and having a herniated disc that apparently will always be around, interrupting my life and providing me with the worst kind of pain I've ever experienced.  Nonstop pain.  And apparently even if I get better, I will not be able to do certain physical activities ever again, unless I want to make this issue even worse.  Which I do not, believe me.  It's the pain and limitations that make me feel like I'm 106 instead of 56.  I don't know what is ahead of me as I go through life as a 56-year-old and for the first time, I'm a little fearful of what it might be.

All that aside, I did have a good birthday.  The epidural steroid injection that I had on Thursday afternoon seems to have helped a bit, which made it easier to contemplate putting on a decent outfit and going out to brunch, and I'm glad, because brunch was delicious and I was able to sit at a table for an hour and a half!  Just a week ago I couldn't have done that for more than five minutes, so let's hear it for the miracle of modern medicine!

Once I got dressed and made up, I had Jeff take my picture, of course:
Me at 56 - I was surprised to still fit into my smaller clothes considering all of the lying around, no workouts/running, and loss of muscle tone.
I looked so tired in the full-body shot that I had to take a selfie in portrait mode - I don't know what happens with that setting, but my eyes looked a lot perkier!
Later on, a selfie wearing my birthday gift from Jeff - new sunglasses!
Even more later on, Diane came by with a plethora of birthday goodies to spoil me, including flowers, summery balloons, and one that says it all - It's all about ME on my birthday!

I had lots of well wishes via email, text, and Facebook, and I spoke to my parents too.  All in all, not bad for turning 106...er, 56.

20 comments:

  1. Happy belated birthday! I am SOOO relieved to hear that the injection helped a bit more this time!!! You are progressing in the right direction!!!

    Don’t fret about the future. Yes things will have to change because of the stupid herniated disc. (I’m sure calling it stupid is probably quite lame in comparison to what you are thinking!). But you WILL find your new normal and get back in the groove!!

    Meanwhile, I see improvement just from your posts and what you are able to do. You may not see it as much because you are living it day to day. And admittedly it is slow...but focus on those improvements!!! You’ve got this...don’t let that 106 year old....eh, 56 year old body get to ya!

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  2. Happy Birthday! You look great and your hair is amazing! Here's to hoping that the disc unherniates itself (if that is even a thing) and that you can get moving again.

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    1. Thank you, I was glad to style my hair for a change, too!

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  3. Happy Birthday Shelley! I agree with Wendy your hair looks great! I love your first outfit too, and those sun glasses are awesome!
    Glad to read that you are getting some relief from your pain.

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  4. I’m so happy you got to celebrate a bit! The fact that you could seems promising fo your recovery.

    I remember being in the ER when Bobby broke his ankle & leg and he kept saying it was the end of his martial arts journey. I told him to concentrate on healing then see what the next evolution brings. He’s back at it and yes there are certain things he can’t do, but there he is doing it and contemplating testing for his fifth degree black belt.

    Try not to awfulize and maybe look at this as an opportunity for rest and revolution. Just as you did all those years ago when you lost 100 lbs., focus on what IS possible! I can’t wait to see where Shelley 5.6 will go!

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  5. Happy birthday. I'm glad you could get up and out for brunch. Sometimes the change in scenery makes a huge difference mentally.

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    1. Yes it does - I've had a lot of staring at my backyard in the last couple of months. It's ok, but I really enjoyed something different for a change. :)

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  6. Happy 106th birthday! Ha ha. I know it can't be fun having an injury, but just in the little bit of time that I have been reading your blog, I am impressed with how you focus on healthy habits and try to add humor to rough situations. So I hope you fully enjoyed your birthday and celebrated YOU!

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    1. Thank you - I'm glad you can see some of my humor through this crazy situation. :)

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  7. I'm so glad you could get out for brunch (and looking so damn cute BTW!)! Happy Birthday!!!

    It totally makes sense that you're feeling that way now, with this setback around a milestone :( I'd be worried too. Keep being the fighter you are! We're all rooting for you to feel 56! Or younger! <3

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    1. Glad you understand! It'll get better...it has to, right?

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