I tend to take my health for granted when I’m feeling good and forget what it is like when you’re off kilter. A couple of weeks ago we were out in the woods doing tree work on all the damage created by a heavy winter and a windy spring. We tend to sell a lot of firewood during the season as campers love to have a campfire near their campsite while at the festival. Most of the dead Ash trees from the Emerald Ash borer are on the larger size and the log sections can be up to 200# each that need to be split. Working by myself on a dropped tree, I attempted to lift a section into the bucket of the tractor. I remember attempting to lift the section and feeling a pop in my back as the section slowly rose to the bucket. I knew it wasn’t good but continued to keep working trying to finish the tree I was working on. I attempted to shrug it off until I realized that I had done some real damage and decided to quit for the day. The rest of the day I layed on the couch in pain.
The next day I went to the chiropractor in an attempt rectify the problem. I’ve been back four times now in an attempt to get my back to working order. So far, there has been some improvement but it looks like it will be longer than I would like to get back to square one. It’s amazing how something like that affects your work day. I’m unable to do chores at the barn because that depends on a strong back, there is no working in the garden because most of that is in a bending position. Even doing the dishes after a meal is a big deal because of the strain on the back. I am finding things to do that need to be done but so much of what really needs to be done is going to need to be put off till my back is in working order. Thursday and Friday will be spent going and getting the yearling steers in Angelica for next years beef harvest. At least that activity does not require any physical labor. Just hooking up the transport trailer and driving to the ranch. I like that because I enjoy raising the animals and seeing the new youngsters always excites me.
My message today is probably one of, don’t take your health for granted and try to stay cognizant of what you are physically capable of doing. I tend to think that I can do now what I was able to do years ago. I am encouraged though that I do find even as you age, the body can indeed heal itself. I just need to give it a bit more time and be patient with myself. I’m in this body for the long haul and I need to make sure that it’s able to make this journey with me.