I was reminded yesterday that I have been remiss and haven’t followed up on my perils with my friendly, neighborhood bathtub. Yes, I finally did it. Only once, but I did it! I took a bath. It was just days ago, and I was gutsy enough to do it on a Sunday night despite having to work on Monday. What made me go for it? I haven’t had a thorough and not-afraid-to-slice-myself leg shaving since Thanksgiving! That can only be accomplished in my tub vs. in my stand up, bring your knee to your nose to shave, shower.
Nothing too horrible happened to me either. My arms and legs were entirely numb for the remainder of the evening, but my vision didn’t go on hiatus again; I didn’t become more dizzy, ditzy, or goofy than normal; and I decided that the benefits definitely outweighed the negatives. I truly believe the lesion on my C-Spine is the culprit for my sometimes unbearable neck aches. I had one on Tuesday night that almost made my eyes be able to cross again. I use a corn pack or rice pack that I microwave to reduce some of the pain, but nothing worked like the bathtub. Despite the numbness and tingling afterwards, it was 30 minutes of pure enjoyment and pure relaxation.
My friend, Tracy, has now called this “becoming comfortably numb.” I always loved that Pink Floyd song and it really does kinda-sorta fit with my M.S. world:
Hello.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?
Come on, now.
I hear you’re feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain,
Get you on your feet again.
Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts:
Can you show me where it hurts?
There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ships smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re sayin.
When I was a child I had a fever.
My hands felt just like two balloons.
Now I got that feeling once again.
I can’t explain, you would not understand.
This is not how I am.
I have become comfortably numb.
Ok.
Just a little pinprick.
There’ll be no more –aaaaaahhhhh!
But you may feel a little sick.
Can you stand up?
I do believe its working. Good.
That’ll keep you going for the show.
Come on its time to go.
There is no pain, you are receding.
A distant ships smoke on the horizon.
You are only coming through in waves.
Your lips move but I can’t hear what you’re say’in.
When I was a child I caught a fleeting glimpse,
Out of the corner of my eye.
I turned to look but it was gone.
I cannot put my finger on it now.
The child is grown, the dream is gone.
I have become comfortably numb.
Alright, friends. Have we just found the national anthem for M.S.? Our theme song, perhaps? Maybe Roger Waters or Syd Barrett had M.S. and didn’t know it?
For the hopelessly not cool, you can listen to Kim’s song here:
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=287943222
Hehe…I worry more that my tub will open up like a huge abyss and suck me down the drain. But then again, I DO have some strange phobias!
Linda D. in Seattle
Kim,
I can’t believe I have never even thought of this song in relation to MS. and I’m a DJ at a classic hits station. Holy Brain Cells, Batman! (hanging my head in complete shame)
My “theme” song, initially, for MS was Chumbawumba’s Tubthumping. “I get knocked down, but I get up again”….
Linda,
My bathroom sink drain opened up a couple of months ago. good thing you weren’t around.
S.
Shauna, thanks a lot! Now I’m going to be singing that song all the way home. The only problem is — those are the only two phrases I know!
Small world, by the way — I started my career as a DJ, I dated a DJ and I almost married another DJ!
And my actual made-it-to-the-altar hubby could have fixed that sink for you!!
K.
Next line is “Never gonna get me down”…now you know three…
S.(tee-hee)