Slim

Herself's Hip Issue has been formally diagnosed as hip flexor tendonitis.  Good news:  it's not a mechanical issue such as a tear in the labrum.  Difficulty:  the tendonitis is intransigent, and the anti-inflammatories disagree with her gastrointestinal system.  She's working on finding the best medication combination of anti-inflammatory and acid reducer to maximize success and minimize discomfort. Ice helps, too.

We shall not discuss the first appointment in this round of physical therapy, for it was of such incredible uselessness as to make Herself nearly apoplectic with rage.  (She is grateful to those individuals who listened to her rant regarding that appointment; how lucky is she to have them.)  Herself went off to her second physical therapy appointment fully ready to do battle, if necessary, to obtain acceptable therapeutic help and to verbally chastize those who failed to meet appropriate standards.  Fortunately, no dramatic action was necessary; the second appointment was more constructive. 

This physical therapy has been different from the first round Herself had in January, in that it has included  therapeutic massage.  Herself was inwardly quite squeamish about the idea of therapeutic massage since she does not like to be touched by strangers.  The therapist was professional and courteous, though, and the massage did seem to be helpful.  The most noteworthy thing about it was Herself's discovery that the discomfort in her hip flexor, while being tolerable most of the time, was surprisingly significant with all direct touch.  OW.  We shall see how  it goes.        

The session also included ultrasound therapy.  Herself's research has failed to show that ultrasound therapy has ultimately been scientifically proven to be helpful, but she is willing to try for a bit.  The ultrasound technician chatted amiably with Herself, asking about the hip problem, martial arts (it is in Herself's chart that one of her goals is to get back to kicking on the mat), and other mundane matters.  The topic of one particular type of food came up, and the technician commented that she likes to eat. She then asked Herself: "You are slim; do you watch what you eat?" 

Whether the technician was being truthfully complimentary, or just has a habit of making small talk in such a manner, we do not know.  Nevertheless, although we know that Herself has been struggling with weight and self-image issues lately, the technician did not; and the technician's unsolicited use of a positive adjective was, in Herself's experience, an unusual and kind thing to do.  While Herself knows she must continue every day to try to do better with her eating and exercise habits, all the same, for a little while, she was hopeful that perhaps she might be on the right track after all.

Herself has been reminded, too, that she can also speak the same way to others.  A few honest and encouraging words can sometimes make a world of difference.  Wouldn't it be lovely to be able to do so? 

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
- Leo F. Buscaglia