The human mess

I was rather shocked recently to discover that I have become one of those people who have a lot of things wrong with them.  Shocked because I have always been (or thought of myself as) extraordinarily healthy and strong.

I've had well-behaved bunions on both feet for ever so long, but recently one of them has swelled to the point that it looks as though there is a marble under my skin.  It's pushing my toes out of alignment, causing painful calluses and corns to develop.  This is a problem because of how much I love to walk, which is now more challenging on some days.  I've got an appointment with a podiatrist in my calendar and am hoping for some relief, although I'm pretty certain I want to avoid surgery if at all possible.

A few weeks ago I discovered a hard, rough little bump on my forearm.  It didn't itch or hurt and was annoying mostly because of just being there.  Recently it began to look infected and to be painful whenever I would accidently bump against something.  Last week I went to my dermatologist to have it removed so now I have a big old divot in my arm.

On the same day as that derm. visit, a sore place on my gums developed into an abscess, which grew until it burst.  Fortunately my dentist was able to see me the next day.  The swelling is mostly gone and there doesn't seem to be anything to be concerned about, although he couldn't say what had caused it.

It didn't help that these second two issues occurred at the same time Sweet Hubby and I were going through a 3 day power outage, so moving from our cold dark house into a motel room.  I also had an acting audition for a role in a feature film, which had to be recorded and submitted by the end of that very bad day.  It all felt like a lot at once.

I promise this will be my only organ recital in this blog (although if we have lunch together you might hear about some of it again).  I'm mostly writing about all of this because of how it has affected my spirit.  I feel more vulnerable now, less assured of my health and strength.  These issues have all been, or soon will be (I hope) successfully resolved and my energy is restored, with a few adjustments for my aching feet, but I am keenly aware now that there will be more issues to come.  I don't know what they will look like, when they will show themselves, how bad they might become.  I just know that they are waiting for me.

Okay.  I'm human and mortal and it's messy.  Okay.   Bring it on.