7/18/2007

Where is Grandpa's long-handled reacher when I need it?

Two nights ago, somewhere in the midst of my usual insomnia, constant shifting of my 500 lb. frame, trips to placate yelling children, I fell asleep. At some point during my restless dreams I either wedged my head in between the slats of the headboard or was assaulted by an intruder with a blow dart because at my usual wake-up-for-no-reason-at-4a.m.-wake up call, I received an urgent message from my neck. "Hi, I'm your neck. You will not want to move me today, or the next day for that matter. Maybe never."

I have had a stiff/sore neck before and generally the pain tends to diminish throughout the day and be gone the next. This is sort of in a league of it's own I guess. Any natural remedies or suggestions for pain relief? Or ideas on how to pick up one's toddler or food off the floor without moving your neck, head or shoulder area? The floor, it's a long way down.

11 comments:

Stephanie said...

Owie! The only natural remedy that I would take would be arnica. It's for muscle stiffness and injury. There are creams and also homeopathics. That's the only one I can think of off the top of my head. I hope you are feeling better soon!

I bought one of those grabber thingies at Home Depot because...I'm super short and it is great for getting things down from the top shelf :o) Good luck!!

Anonymous said...

How about a pregnancy massage!! I always wanted one but never managed to get one when I was pregnant with E. Love the pic, no other words necessary. lol. Hope this last stretch is tolerable. Hang in there.

-WS

Anonymous said...

yikes!! that sounds really painful. i don't have any remedies...but man, that photo of you is really great. when you pain goes away i bet you'll like it a bit more.

Claire said...

Oh you POOR thing! I am sorry - I have NO good suggestions - just a lot of sympathy. Well- wait a minute- when I had my lil car accident right before my wedding and my neck started hurting, the chiropractor said to alternate hot and cold packs on it every hour or so...Perhaps worth a try...

Hmmm- the long handled reacher of yore, eh? Which lucky descendant was that bequeathed to? I have something akin to it- except it's got a shark's head on the end instead of a boring old grabber thang.

the Joneses said...

I've always heard that peppermint oil is good for muscle aches.

I shouldn't laugh at that picture as hard as I did, but I was there only a year ago!!

-- SJ

JJ said...

Oooooh! Owwwww! I'm so sorry. I was cringing as much at your insomnia description as much as I was your neck pain. You poor dear. No suggestions, I'm sorry to say! Are you anti-chiropractic? That would be all I could think of. Hope it's short-lived.

Daughter of Divagation said...

Hit your toe really hard with a hammer. It will make you stop thinking about your neck. I promise.

Glad you are back in blogging action.

Misusdee said...

So much sympathy....Our dog Kirby does wonders in the cleaning up of spilled food, he was aptly named.

Yesterday, Jeff and I went to Bush Gardens, in the high heat and humidity of the FL summer, in part to relive our evening walks there trying to bring on labor for FKDs birth.From 2 wks before due date to nearly 3 wks after said date.(7/4)(came 7/21).When they induced labor...no amount of walking in the sweltering heat, riding flumes (w/employees begging me not to give birth on their ride),or castor oil could get that girl going!
So, all this to say the picture is what grabbed me! It speakes not only 1000 words but makes all motherhood fall together to get a shoulder under your plight!So much love& faith for more grace than you can imagine.

JJ said...

I thought I saw Keith retrieving something from behind your sofa in Milford a couple summers ago with the long-handled reacher. Did you sell it with the house?

Anonymous said...

Oooh. Ouch. Ack.

Love from me

ljm said...

Hey, thanks for all the great suggestions...and the sympathy! I'm feeling a lot better tonight.

Yes, we had the reacher in Milford and I just heard news of its whereabouts...still in NH in Grandpa's stuff!