I’ve recently embarked on a Quest. The overall mission of this Quest is to Level Up my health. A couple of weeks ago I visited with my primary doc to do some macro management, i.e. to determine the most efficient path to reach the ultimate goal, and the order in which the side quests should be undertaken.
My first side quest was to get some X-rays. Next was to visit with the Spine and Scoliosis center where, after going over the results of my Xrays with me, I was then sent off to get an MRI on my lumbar and SI areas of the spine. But before that happened, the next appointment on the calendar was for my wrists, which have been gradually debilitating over the last 10 years with carpal tunnel syndrome. I couldn’t figure out why my PCP had referred me to a Prosthetics and Orthotics clinic, but when the doc came in to see me, I realized they were going to give me these braces to wear on my wrists — which I have dubbed The Gauntlets of Doom. They actually help, I can already tell, but for cryin’ out loud, they do make typing and things like art work exceedingly tedious. I haven’t even attempted to hold my camera while wearing them, that would be too big a gamble.
Next side quest was to go get the MRI. That happened Tuesday. I was somewhat anxious about it, mostly in anticipation of the pain of lying flat on that hard table, but they made me as comfortable as one could hope for, with a pillow under my knees and neck, and headphones to pipe soothing classical music into my ears to distract me from the clanging and buzzing of the machine. It was over in about 15 minutes and I’m here to tell the story, thanks be to God. I will find something out next week, I imagine.
The next three appointments are on the calendar as well: one with a pain clinic; one with Physical Therapy; and one with the neurosciences clinic. After all this, I hope to have multiple plans to deal with my back and tailbone pains and my wrists.
Anyway, I mentioned not being able to use my camera with the Gauntlets on — but look what I figured out (this pic was from before I went to that appointment):
I got my tripod configured for tabletop usage, initially thinking in terms of macro photography, but then my adhd brain ran to videography and how I might be able to use it to make videos – like what if I were to do something like a youtube… something or other… or how about, what if I made a sort of low-fi channel with calm music and mandala coloring… I’ve seen these things, apparently there’s a niche for that in the land of the Tubes. Anyway, so I got my camera set up, but did I make room for anything first? No because ADHD, as soon as it occurred to me I had to jump right in and figure it out… my desk is an abomination, it’s so messy I’ve opened the drawers to create more workspace – I’m actually laughing so hard right now… This is my life.
I also have a whole other thing I’m planning in the background of all of this involving graduate theology studies… People like me are big on plans, follow-through is the tricky bit. But life is fun when you have aspirations, and I’ve got tons of them. But none of that is going to get off the ground if I can’t manage to clean my desk, so that’s the next thing on my agenda.
I fell off my gaming metaphor didn’t I… it was pretty strained from the start, it’s really not my area. But these Gauntlets are fun/annoying/possibly-my-salvation. I keep thinking I need to find an occasion to “throw down my gauntlets” — but the way they’re strapped on makes that difficult. Although, it WOULD be quite satisfyingly emphatic to RRRRIP the velcro off and THEN throw them down!! Lol…
Sorry, I’m done now. Going to clean my desk.
