My Career Is Over

Have you ever hurt yourself and had no idea how it happened? I did just that the other day. Thursday afternoon, I picked "Daughter" up from soccer camp. I remember tossing her equipment bag out of the car and then pulling out the cooler. Everything seemed fine. Then I went in to make her lunch. It was then that I realized I couldn't move my right shoulder without excruciating pain. What the hell? I hadn't heard a pop, felt a tare, nothing.

As it happened, I had an appointment Friday with my back doctor. Figuring I'd go with a two for the price of one diagnosis, I had him check out my shoulder, which in the interim had gotten worse. That's when he broke the news. I had injured my rotator cuff. In that moment, all my dreams of being a major league pitcher, or throwing a touchdown pass to win the Super bowl were dashed. It's sad when your dreams die, but not as sad as realizing that you are so out of shape you threw out your shoulder taking a girls soccer bag out of your car.

Since Friday, my condition has become unbearable. I even broke down and went to the urgent care doctor early Sunday morning hoping for some relief. I've never taken pain killers before because I fear that like Elvis I will become addicted and end up dying while trying to push out an especially firm movement. I was in so much pain, I begged for relief. Maybe I'm taking the wrong pills, but I don't see what the attraction is. I have had no relief, but I am drowsy. I ended up sleeping in the "Comfort King" last night with a heating pad on my arm. How pitiful.

I don't like being injured. It bothers me to show weakness. I like "Wife" and "Daughter" to think of me as indestructible. I know the dogs can sense my weakness too. They keep eyeing me, and I know they are plotting an overthrow of the pack leader. I'm going to see the pain merchants at physical therapy in hopes that they can work their magic on me. I'll let you know. Sorry if this seems whiney and self indulgent, but I'm in pain, and this is better than going on a crying jag in front of "Daughter". Later...Brian