This is serious. If I hear any gigglers in the back, I’m closing shop and going home–the better to lick my wounds in private. Nah, not really.
Two weeks ago, I sat at my dining-room table busy reading posts and leaving comments. The trouble began when I decided to sit on a card chair. Because I’ve been spending so much time on my laptop in this room, I find I hate my dining-room chairs. The seats are sprung (cushioned without any wood underneath) and too deep for me. Most of the time I end up perched on the edge of the chair, hunched over for long periods of time. I don’t notice until the back of my neck becomes stiff and the area between my shoulders, slightly lower than my neck aches.
I chose a card chair for size and thought I’d hit the jackpot. With my back supported, I sat up straight and the back of my knees hung over the edge of this chair just right. Thanks Baby Bear.
What went wrong?
After some time, my concentration of all things blogging, found me on the edge of the chair. This is a run-of-the-mill card chair. You know: a metal square surrounding a lightly padded seat? Yep, the metal edge bit into the bottom of my butt. So, I moved around to lessen the numbness but it wouldn’t go away. The clock read I’d been at it for two hours. Time to go to bed.
The next morning when my feet hit the floor, my butt dragged. I might be mistaken for one of those wooden folding drying racks you setup in your bathtub on rainy days. On the other hand I FELT like the capital Greek letter sigma which means summation. In a nutshell, standing and movement meant pain and bent knees. What a picture. Blah. I can imagine muscle tone loss everywhere but not there. I’ve always considered I came well-padded. Wrong again.
For two weeks I haven’t sat comfortably. I tried cushions, regular foam, and a memory foam pillow. Stop laughing. Nothing helped. I’d broken my butt and had to I avoid stairs at any cost.
Today, I joined some friends at a walking trail for a 5K workout. At first every muscle I never knew my butt used to get me around pulled in the wrong direction, but I hung in there and it has probably loosened them up. I believe I’m getting to normal.
Up to this point, I’ve experienced no major physical issues except for this crimp in my lifestyle. I must remember I’m not sixteen anymore (although I feel about twenty) and shouldn’t take anything for granted anymore.
I can’t understand why I’m falling apart.
November 15, 2013 at 5:16 pm
I hope you are not the butt of everyone’s jokes now.
Surely the end is in sight to this issue.
I got to the tail end of your post and was not sure why you are falling apart either.
Okay. I’m done. 🙂
I hope your butt issues are resolved!
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:57 pm
My butt issues are indeed getting better. Ha ha. Even I’m laughing now. Must be improving. Thank you, Colleen.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 2:27 pm
😉
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 7:03 pm
😉
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Really sorry to hear about this, Tess. Pain and suffering aren’t joking matters. But the levity in your writing was brilliant and I did chuckle a little, forgive me my friend but it’s your talent’s fault. Hugs.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:56 pm
Go ahead, Paulette, laugh to your heart’s content just don’t make ‘us’ the butt of any jokes. “-D
Getting better by the day. Thank you.
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Oh my goodness! I hope this gets better and fast. This is the worst possible place to be hurting.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:55 pm
Thanks, Cassie. It ticks me off I can’t sit for long but soon all will be forgotten. Should get up and walk around more. 😉
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 6:56 pm
Wishing you a quickly better butt!
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Ha-ha. Yes, I don’t want to be the butt of any jokes in the blogosphere therefore am taking care. 😀
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 7:03 pm
Poor Tess! If you don’t feel better soon, you should see your doctor and get to the bottom of this problem, no buts about it!
Actually, I sit way too much with my blogging and writing in positions that are not good for me, and sometimes end up with muscle pain. I did go see my doc when I had a terrible pain in the neck (and shoulders), and I got some exercises that really helped. I hope you feel better soon!
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:53 pm
Thank you, Naomi. I finally remembered my desk chair in the other room and it helps. Am improving by the day.
Sitting chained to my keyboard is indeed the culprit. If only I didn’t keep putting off getting up once in a while… 😉
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 7:05 pm
So serious and I hope you’ll feel comfortable sitting again real soon… so fuunnnny.LOL! 🙂
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:51 pm
Yeah. Have to laugh because nothing will improve my situation but time. Am getting better by the day. Thank you for your thoughtful comment. 😀
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 7:18 pm
You’re not falling apart, you’re just a very tender princess and the pea.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:49 pm
Aren’t you sweet and generous! Thank you, Rebecca.
Must remember to get up and walk around more often and not use a card chair. I had a perfectly good steno chair at my desk but my brain wasn’t working. 😉
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 9:01 pm
A broken butt can be very serious! I mean, it’s right in the middle of your body! If your butt is broken, your legs tend to not want to work, either. I hope you are better and able to use your butt normally again.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:47 pm
Can’t sit for long without going numb but it’s a good reminder to get off my butt once in a while. 🙂
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 9:38 pm
Oh ya poor love, I have empathy – my old bones and muscles ain’t what they use to be either sadly 😦 I promised I didn’t giggle (okay I lied) nothing worse than a broken bum – can I say that here? 😉 Though one wouldn’t think it could break- sitting for long periods of time yes I have the same problem, sore shoulders, neck… ech I’ll stop whinging – you’re not falling apart – nothing that a few replacements of glue can’t handle – take care and heal quickly! x
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Ha-ha and a body plaster. It’s okay, you can laugh and maybe look after yourself better than I have.
It is true that these days we CAN look forward to spare parts even if they do look like shiny nickel parts for plumbing. 😉 Muscles, though, are more stubborn and cannot be replaced. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 11:15 pm
OH I am hopeless – I have too many bad vices to keep me healthy – but I walk everyday and try to eat healthy – ahhh age and all it’s little niggling aches, pains and what the heck…why have I got this! Take Care hope you are on the improve! 🙂 and you are welcome 🙂
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Feels like I’m sitting on nails but at least I see some improvement. 😀
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 11:45 pm
😦 …. 🙂
LikeLike
November 19, 2013 at 9:56 am
Well, not s.e.e., more like feel. 🙂
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 9:43 pm
You have me giggling! I swear, I am only starting to notice the changes! I’ve always balked at older people when they complain of the weather but now creakkkk. Did you get a new comfie chair? You deserve it because you make a lot of bloggers happy!
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:41 pm
You are so sweet. Thank you. I had a steno chair by my desk, which I should have rolled into the dining-room. My brain wasn’t working that day, I guess. My own dark fault this happened. I’ll know better next time but will probably screw something else up. *blushes*
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 10:09 pm
Is this what I have to look forward to? Oh my my. Now I know why the dog moves around all day to new sleeping places–doesn’t want broken… body parts…
Did your husband pitch in–cook dinner, do laundry, clean–in your infirmity?
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:38 pm
Sorry to say, no husband; I do have a cat though and she worries about me. Thank you for asking, Jacqui. 😀
I am improving and will remember that my steno chair should have been the answer not a card chair. Why didn’t I roll it into the dining-room? Sheesh
LikeLike
November 15, 2013 at 10:59 pm
Omg, you are too much! I HEAR YOU! In fact I just wrote a post (to be posted this weekend) on my venture to the Osteopath who had declared my locked up hips due to sitting on my rear for months writing. I know it’s no joke, I’m crippled! After so many hours, I really don’t know if there is a comfortable chair for us Tess 🙂 I feel your pain. xo
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:35 pm
Nice to see you, Debby. I get the lock-hip too and I KNOW it’s from sitting. I’ve been glued to my chair for the past two years.
This is my own darn fault. I should have rolled my steno chair into the dining-room but I improve each day. 😉
Special day coming up soon for you. I MUST visit my Reader. I only get your newsletter once in a while by e-mail but not your posts. I am not ignoring your blog.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 5:13 pm
I know you are not ignoring me, lol. Yes, if you saw my post….I’m a blank, you will see how I show up on the reader with no title, that is why I’m glad you signed up for my blogs, the mail comes out every Tuesday, appropriately titled…In Case You Missed Them, lol.
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 6:56 pm
Got that, I believe. You’re in my Promotions folder in gmail. Must check it out more often.
I should open my Reader but I don’t like how many clicks I need to make to read each post.
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 10:13 pm
Lol, you make me laugh :))
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 11:17 pm
Good to see Happy working.
LikeLike
November 16, 2013 at 1:01 am
Funny how something as innocuous as sitting could cause such pain, but our bodies are finely tune. And they seem to get more finely tuned as we get older!!
You are brave to take on a 5K workout. Our bodies are meant to move – glad that it seemed to help.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:31 pm
Thank YOU, Clanmother. I guess it’s time I remember I’m not twenty anymore. 😉
The walk might have loosened pain. My butt went numb after a while anyway. Ha ha. The next day, I paid for it but am getting better today.
LikeLike
November 16, 2013 at 8:34 am
Bwahahahaha….oops…sorry!
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:29 pm
Oh go ahead. Someday it might be your butt. 😀
Anyway, the nuisance is getting better. I just don’t sit for long periods.
LikeLike
November 16, 2013 at 11:29 am
Tess, maybe it’s time for you to consider a ‘kneeling stool’. Gill has sworn by them for years (as a result of her arthritis) and even demanded her employer provide her with one! Don’t know if it might help, but I’ll bet that’s a suggestion nobody else has made. Best to you. Laurie
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Nice to see you, Laurie. I’ve never heard of a kneeling stool. I must look that up to kill my curiosity.
Can’t kneel. Sorry, but I appreciate the suggestion. Maybe I’ll try Hemingway’s style of standing naked to write. 😉 No, better not scare the cat.
The nuisance is slowly getting better and I’ll take better care of myself from now on. Have to stop taking everything for granted…
LikeLike
November 16, 2013 at 12:00 pm
My butt is screaming that I should get off it and go walk around for a bit, but wait, I have to finish reading this post and then will tool around your site for a bit, which means more butting into your business when I should be minding my own. BTW, I found you through Jacqui Murray’s Word Dreams. Love your acerbic wit.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:17 pm
Thanks so much, new-found friend. I can’t recall how Jacqui and I crossed paths even though it hasn’t been that long ago. See, isn’t it the mind that goes first. No. not the mind, can’t let the mind go… 😉
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:39 pm
It doesn’t matter how new the friendship is when you feel like old friends. *: )
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 2:05 pm
Ditto. 😀
LikeLike
November 16, 2013 at 12:42 pm
I feel so bad for you. It is a bit funny, but pain is a serious thing if it can’t be resolved. I just had a birthday yesterday and am none too happy to hear of your woes and what I might have to look forward too. I am waking every morning with so much pain in my shoulders that I am seriously considering the temper-pedic mattress now.I have nice supportive desk chair at my PC, but have been wanting a laptop. Maybe that wouldn’t be the best idea for me, since I am such a slouch over the computer desk
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:11 pm
Thank you sk. For the most part I am still agile and frisky. It’s my own darn fault and that ticks me off. I don’t know why I didn’t roll my desk chair into the dining-room. Sheesh. 😉
LikeLike
November 16, 2013 at 12:55 pm
I never sit for more than an hour. It’s a carry over from my years with a herniated disk. Sorry to hear your body let you know you went too far over the 1 hour mark. Eek.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:08 pm
I’m my own worst enemy. I can’t stop when I’m in the middle of something. Anyway, I should have rolled my desk chair in to the dining-room.
I’ll try to take your good advice. Thank you for coming by and sharing. 😉
LikeLike
November 16, 2013 at 3:44 pm
Tess – I adore your writing. Honestly I believe you could lead me anywhere. I already knew you had the adventurous spirit of a twenty-something. This is the first year I’ve had to take my own health seriously and I’ve gone kicking and screaming all the way. Your spunk is always something I strive for.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:06 pm
Thanks so much, Sheri. You are generous of heart and make me smile. I don’t see any of the things you mention, but bless your heart.
I know I better wise up but when I’m in the middle of something, I get on a roll and hate to stop. I won’t even walk six feet to my coffee maker because I don’t want to stop.
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 2:49 am
And that’s what makes your work a joy to read.
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 6:50 pm
The same goes for you, Sheri. The same goes for you.
Geez, I wish we could sit down for a coffee together.
LikeLike
November 16, 2013 at 4:43 pm
I won’t say that you are a pain in the… Well, I mean after hearing that joke a few hundred times it becomes incredibly boring. The main thing is that your derriere is getting back to normal now so it is out with the card chair and in with something better. Perhaps lounging on the bed will be a good idea, and with laptop fully charged and ready for action it should be a whole new ball game 🙂
Andro xxxx
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:03 pm
Thanks so much, Andro. It’s my own darn fault. Why didn’t I get my desk chair (a steno) and roll it into the dining room? I have since and now I shake my head.
Say, I never thought of lazing around in bed with my laptop. What a lovely idea! It’s not as if I haven’t seen or heard of anyone doing that.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:07 am
I hope you are feeling better. Something soft to sit on might help… 🙂
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 12:53 pm
Even the Memory Foam pillow didn’t help but I AM feeling better. Thank you.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 1:12 am
Oh no! I threw myself backwards on a metal futon frame last year and bruised my butt bone– worst thing ever! Our butt gets used far more than we think. I hope you feel better soon!
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 12:52 pm
O_o. Ouch. I missed a chair once and landed on my tailbone years and years ago.
To think something you can’t even see because it hides in the back can cause so much trouble. Thank you for stopping by. 😉
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 3:17 am
I would never laugh at your broken hynee, honest. 😉
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 12:50 pm
Ah, go ahead. I can’t hear you so enjoy.
Really, I must be losing it. Why didn’t I roll my desk chair into the dining-room. Tsk. Tsk. 😉
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 7:27 am
I’m not laughing because I’ve been suffering lately too. It sounds like you have sciatica like me. Recently its been in my left butt cheek, running pain down my left leg but then it moves back and forth to my lower back on the right side. Then two days ago my neck started and I can’t turn my head smoothly at the mo!
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 12:49 pm
Sorry to hear you’re being hit all at once. Hope a correction happens soon.
Oh yes. A few years ago I didn’t know what sciatica was and after putting up with the pain for a couple of weeks, I went to my doctor. She asked, “What do you want me to do about it?” She then explained if it wasn’t gone in a month to see her again. I didn’t bother. What do you do for your pain?
The time, I know it’s my fault. How silly I didn’t roll my steno chair into the dining-room instead of sitting on a card chair.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 11:02 am
All the things they never tell you about aging! I’m just glad I’m not the only one creaking at the joints 🙂
Wishing you a speedy recovery.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Thank you. Slowly but surely I have less of that pain in the…
😀
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 3:39 pm
Sorry, I’m late at posting, but had to stop giggling. Also sorry to hear about your tail tale, I hope it has a happy ending.
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 7:01 pm
I like choice of words. Hmm.
It’s been 18 days. Hope I am back to whatever normal used to be by the end of the month. 😀
Nice to see you. Thanks for coming by.
LikeLike
November 17, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Hey Tess,
Just passing by to say hi. I send you a virtual hug. Hope all is well with you.
R
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 6:53 pm
Thanks so much. Your timing is awesome. I think I’ll live.
Hope you are well too. 🙂
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 5:14 am
Poor you! I hope your bum is feeling a little better. Posture is so important in our game. I suffer from RSI from time to time. Can be agony. What we do for our art! 🙂
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 6:44 pm
Thanks, Jack. Am numb now but feeling better…I think.
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 6:37 am
Ouch, so sorry Tess! I know how painful this is as I’ve had the same thing and was told it was a form of sciatica which goes through the butt muscle called the periformis and it can be agony. Mine went down my right leg and it ached like crazy.
It does go away over time, you’ve got the right idea of loosening things up with walking. Here’s a strange thing though, I used to do Pilates to help me with problems like this, but I started to get this sciatica more and more. I have now quit Pilates and guess what, I haven’t had it for some time now! Go figure!
Get well soon 🙂
LikeLike
November 18, 2013 at 6:43 pm
Pilates: must be too much pressure on sensitive muscles.
Now I’ve lots of numbness and can’t sit for long. I love my easy boy chair though because I can lean back and take some of the pressure off. Can’t type in that position though, and I want to scream because I’m wasting time.
LikeLike
November 19, 2013 at 7:55 am
You are indeed blessed. To be able to think that you are twenty. I suppose salvation commences with a great positive mental image of our own selves. Not only does this support a curious mind but also aligns the mental positivity to balance out physical challenges like the ones you experienced recently.
So in short, you are on the right track young lady!
Shakti
LikeLike
November 19, 2013 at 9:48 am
It is said that curiosity killed the cat, but I do NOT believe that.
Nice to meet you and thank you for visiting. ;-:
LikeLike
November 19, 2013 at 9:39 am
Thinking of you, Tess! I had an injury (pulled my hamstring) and it was so painful to the point that nothing was comfortable. Maybe you should get a deep tissue massage to help?
LikeLike
November 19, 2013 at 9:46 am
I haven’t thought of that. Hmm. A good excuse for pampering. Great idea. Thanks so much. 😀
LikeLike
November 19, 2013 at 11:36 pm
You are so beautiful – of spirit – I can only hope you have better butt soon.
Say that three times – better butt, better butt, better butt. Oh well, enjoy always, T
LikeLike
November 20, 2013 at 6:22 pm
Geez, Tricia. I did and it W.o.r.k.e.d. Are you my fairy godmother?
Almost as good as new. Took 3 weeks to erase my booboo.:-D
LikeLike
November 20, 2013 at 5:31 am
Oh no, the delicate butt area! That’s awful – no way am I laughing! Maybe you should get one of those cushions with a hole in it? So I take it it doesn’t help to have a well padded butt? Pity…
LikeLike
November 20, 2013 at 6:17 pm
Nope, well padded butt failed the test. One of those donuts wouldn’t do the trick either because it’s the gluts that are a pain in the…you know. Almost gone those. Yay. 😀
Thank you, Rose.
LikeLike
November 20, 2013 at 9:11 pm
Oh my, I have suffered the same ‘computer butt’, not as serious as yours but achy braky hurty…ouch. I have been desperate enough to stand and type, don’t try it, doesn’t work. Like your writing style and blog and thanks for the ‘like’ over my place 🙂
LikeLike
November 22, 2013 at 12:36 pm
I don’t really mean ‘glad’ you had the achy braky etc. as well but sounds I’m at least in good company.
Did you know Hemingway stood when he wrote? He had a tall stand to writ on and he did it in the nude. I tried the standing part but it didn’t work and the naked part…well, I get cold easily and I didn’t want to scare my cat. 😀
LikeLike
November 22, 2013 at 1:54 pm
Oh, that is funny. Maybe he felt that ‘freedom’ we look for when creating? I wouldn’t go down that path either whilst I don’t have a cat, I would scare myself 🙂 :0
LikeLike
November 23, 2013 at 3:02 pm
To each his own, I suppose. 😀
LikeLike