Project Athena - Day 345 (Selfie-Care)

Every Experience Changes Us

Inspired by a recent post from Jasmine Iwaskiewicz, I took an inventory of what this back injury has brought and how I am changed.

I Am Changed After Experiencing:
10 days flat on my back
3 Journey processes
2 physical therapists
504 butt stretches
31 inversion treatments
2,641 tears
6 salt baths
8 pain pills
4 muscle relaxants
30 doses of THC/CBD tincture
16 therapeutic walks
24 hours of heat packs
26 hours of ice packs
1 electrical muscle stimulation treatment
11 chiropractor treatments
1 tube of Deep Blue
504 hamstring streches
84 at home physical therapy sessions
2 days of deep despair
3 major setbacks
45 days of gratitude for healing
504 quad stretches
1 Zeke bench press
1/2 Yogi bench press
3 Push Therapy sessions
152 "Rate you pain" answers
1 pedicure
Tender hugs and kisses from my boys
Financial gifts of love and support
Coffee with a friend
Sincere compassion and encouragement
A week long visit from my son
Genuine humility
Waves of shame, fear, unworthiness
Absolute dependency
Frustration beyond words
1452 grunts and moans
67 belly laughs
Calling on all angels and beings for help healing
Determination I didn't know was here
Self preservation strategies at their best and worst
Opening my entire being to ask for and receive help
Patience.
 

At Home PT
Fujifilm X-E2 • Fuji XF18-135mm lens • 23.3mm • F/6.4 • 1.8s • ISO 400

Project Athena - Day 344 (Selfie-Care)

Selfie-Care

It's been ten steps forward and a few back each week as the healing process with my back continues. I almost didn't post today because I was feeling so depressed about the recent set-back. But alas, some part of me, whom I call Lara, insisted I do something to ease the pain and muscle tension. I chose a hot bath, which she lovingly prepared for me with with my favorite essential oils and some sea salt. Thank you honey.

The pain began to ease almost immediately. Then the inspiration for this weeks theme showed up. So, knowing it will be a week of self-care, here is the first shot. The pedicure was a Mother's Day gift to me from my Mom. I had never had one before last week. OMG!!! I loved it!

Candlelit Bath
Fujifilm X-E2 • Fuji XF18-135mm lens • 25.4mm • F/4 • 1/20s • ISO 3200

Project Athena - Day 343 (Bark)

Charred Bark

This tree trunk is a remnant of the High Park Wildfire (2012) that burned for nearly three weeks straight in the mountains West of Fort Collins. It was caused by a lightning strike and charred over 87,284 acres of mostly national forest land plus destroyed almost 300 homes. As I recall what it was like to wake up everyday to the smell of fire and heavy smoke hanging in the air, I am very thankful for all the rain we have had recently.

Charred Tree Trunk

Nikon D3200 • Nikon 55-200mm lens • 60mm • F/5.6 • 1/125s • ISO 160