Fencing

[j_cheney]

The Today Show had a couple of the Olympic fencers on this morning (Zagunis and Thompson?, women's saber). It made me wistful. I haven't fenced since the Great Neck Fusing Scare of 2006.*

At the time, my physical therapist didn't seem to think it was a good idea for me to let people hit me over the head. Plus she wasn't all that certain that my mask wasn't too heavy for me. Anyhow, it probably wouldn't be wise to go back to saber (which is where all the head-whacking occurs), although foil is still a posibility.

Now if I could just sell something big.

Let's see. Fencing, 50$ a month. Sales....well, haven't had anything since April....

Pretty much makes the math clear.
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*In 2006, an MRI revealed 3 herniated discs in my neck. Supposedly, I was in excruciating pain, and the neurosurgeon wanted to fuse 3 vertebrae in my neck immediately (and the fourth would occur at some point down the road). The chiroproactor wouldn't take me as a patient. I finally found a neurosurgeon who was willing to listen to me....who recommended putting off the surgery as long as humanly possible. This is now the plan...

Comments

[camillealexa.livejournal.com]

Doctors wanted to fuse 3 lower vertibrae in my father's spine a couple years ago. He held out. He did have surgery, but not fusing.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

At this time, surgeons in the US can only replace 1 disc in the neck (as an alternative to fusing) We're holding out until they can do more than one replacement. Much less loss of range of motion. Worth the wait, I think ;o)

[janni.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the technology for all this stuff keeps improving, so waiting is likely for the good.

I know someone who waited on getting a knee replacement until they could put in replaceable parts, as opposed to the previous this-is-your-one-replacement. That sort of thing's worth waiting for.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

My take on it, too. Plus I don't like the idea of cutting my neck open until they absolutely have to.

[ruralwriter.livejournal.com]

My husband's in a similar situation...in constant pain, but he's hoping for better technology. He's held out for 12 years so far. Of course, his spine may be fusing on its own. He moves about like Batman in body armor.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I'm luck to be staying pretty flexible. I do well as long....as I jog. Go figure...

My pain is also probably much less that your husband's. I'm lucky. ;o)

[namelessarchon.livejournal.com]

I have heard you talk about fencing often, and it must be hard to give up something you love. I took a Fencing class in college, and had a good time, but that was only for fun, nothing really serious involved.

I hope you can get back to it sometime, assuming we can have success in this business that will support our daytime lives and also our pastimes.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

I probably could scrape together the money, but right now it's just a lower priority. :o) Sad, but true....

[displacedtexan.livejournal.com]

Since you do the budget I'll take your word that we can't afford the fencing fees, but I bet we could (we did before, after all). Would giving up Angel help?

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

Don't worry about it. It's too hot now anway....

[displacedtexan.livejournal.com]

Maybe come fall when we're not using Angel's services you can go back to fencing. Or, you could give up your gym membership and fence, instead.

Just some thoughts.

[alaneer.livejournal.com]

Fencing is so cool.

I agree not to let doctors cut until absolutely necessary.

[j-cheney.livejournal.com]

If it ain't broke bleedin', don't fix it?

[alaneer.livejournal.com]

Exactly. :)