I had my appointment with the orthopedist yesterday about my neck. I had more x-rays done, and he confirmed that I do indeed have degenerative disc disease in my neck, and osteoarthrosis. He said there is nothing that can be done to stop the degeneration. And as I was already told, I can’t jog or do anything that impacts my neck. Also, I either need to figure out a way to do my work without any heavy lifting or looking down, or I need to find a new career.
Tomorrow I go for an MRI, and I’ll start physical therapy and injections in my neck. He said if those don’t help, I’ll need surgery. I tried physical therapy last year for my neck, and it didn’t really help. I am trying to be hopeful that it will help this time. From my understanding, the physical therapy and injections are simply for pain management since the degeneration can’t be stopped.
I’m a little freaked out by all of this (to put it mildly).
It’s pretty hard to do just about any work without having your head tilted down.
I called my pal Juliana Coles last night to talk about this. As always, she had something good to say, and reminded me to seek out alternative health care solutions. I feel like I’ve already tried everything. But I’ll do some more research.
I know I won’t feel like a deer in the headlights after the shock has worn off (again), but right now, it all seems scary.
I’m so sorry about this Traci. Is there anyway you can start to arrange things so your work is raised? I know this must be very difficult with yarn/fibre work, but maybe when the shocks worn off, you’ll be able to come up with some solutions. I’m sending you healing thoughts and positive energy.
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Would it be helpful to wear a foam neck collar while working for extended period? You know, the kind that is big enough to support the chin so it forces you to bend your back rather than your neck when you look down. Not ideal, but I can’t see you not creating art.