Bout Right

   Not what I hoped for but what I expected (kinda). Monday's appointment for my shoulder was interesting. 

   First off, a big shout out to Doctors and nurses and back round staff that have aided me on my journey to get to this point, without them I would be in the dark. Their kindness, humor, professionalism, knowledge and care have been nothing short of amazing. Thank you.

   Now to the meat of it. This is my take on this. My gene pool is very susceptible to arthritis, and lucky me it didn't skip me (yah Me!). So my first and most glaring problem is I have arthritis in my shoulder and short of a complete joint replacement (no thanks) the best I can hope for is to manage the symptoms with exercise and pain medication. I spent the better part of an hour with my Doctor going over my history, my hobbies, what I do for fun, etc, trying to paint a picture of me. She did have quite a few questions about my Kung Fu and had a few suggestions on how I could continue till old (er) age IF I am smart about it. Lower impact on the joint, less repetitive motions, targeted strengthening of the muscles around the joint to name a few. 

   My Doctor led my by the hand through the symptoms, the possible treatments and the likely outcomes, incredibly knowledgeable (guess that is why she is a specialist -duh Don). Every question or concern I had she answered, gently guiding me with her understanding of what is to come. I left informed and ready for taking my treatment and owning it now knowing that there is no magic wand that anyone can wave and declare Presto Magico you are healed (Hermione where are you??)

   So through targeted exercises, proper pain management, and common sense (😅😅cause I'm know for this) I should be able to enjoy my shoulder in it's natural state for a few more decades. No magic fix, no instant cure, no doing the work for me, it is all up to me. 

.

P.S. I also found out I had a torn bicep tendon in my right arm that didn't heal quite properly. Explains the pain in that arm now, sweet.

Push Ups  10795 

Sit Ups  10183

Sparring  530 min

1609KM  1141.90 km

Acts of Kindness  1120 recorded

Hand Form  345

Weapon Form  355

Mastery recited 29

Tomorrow is the Day

   Tomorrow is the day! I got called on Friday that there was a cancellation at the Bone and Joint clinic and I can now get in for my shoulder assessment on Monday instead of December something!! I am excited to be lucky enough to get four months cut off my wait time. Yes I have had to inform my boss that we will be extremely short handed at work and he is not to pleased with that, but I need to worry about me first. It has been a long wait to get to this point and I cannot pass this up. So I am all smiles right now because the possibility of any kind of remedy from this constant annoyance of my shoulder pain is possibly just around the corner!!

Push Ups  10745 

Sit Ups  10133

Sparring  530 min

1609KM  1107.85 km

Acts of Kindness  1100 recorded

Hand Form  340

Weapon Form  350

Mastery recited 29

Twist the Intent

    I was playing around with wrist movements the other day just to see if I understood certain movements and the intent behind certain movements, that is my understanding of intent of course. I took the very first movement of Mlong Kuen and rotated my wrists in a outside hammer fist motion instead of straight forward. "That was interesting" I said. Direction, power, "feel", all changed. I was now climbing (Monkey?) instead of penetrating. It didn't feel wrong but it also didn't feel right, just different. But boy did it highlight the intent of the first movement. Cool. 

   The movement of my shoulders, my breathing, the extension point of my arms, all slightly different but similar. I really enjoyed the change of perspective. I won't call it an "AHA" moment, more of a small light of understanding being lit waaaaay in the back of my mind. This slight change had ripples all the way to my fingertips. 

   So I am not saying I am trying to re-write a movement to better suit me, I am saying I am trying my hardest to understand how, well I just realized that I really don't know what I am trying to say so I will leave it at that for now instead of babbling. 

Push Ups  1144

Sit Ups  9933

Sparring 510 min

1609KM  1076.06 km

Acts of Kindness 1030 recorded

Hand Form  328

Weapon Form  311

Mastery recited 29

Firsts/Changes - Good or Not?

   I've had some firsts/changes recently. I'm not one for change in my routine or in the "things" around me. I'm kinda set in my ways, for better or worse. 

   First change was I sold my truck of 17 years and bought a newer (not new) Avalanche. I loved my old truck, it had a ton of memories associated with it. It ran great, it was incredibly reliable, and it fit like my favorite pair of old jeans (which are also in need of replacing). But it was time and a deal came up that was too good to turn down. Small bright side to this is I sold it to a family member (father in law) so I can visit Trucky whenever I want. Plus I can "guide" my new vehicle to be as great as Trucky right? A little TLC, some elbow grease and Shazam it is now mine to build new memories with.

   Second is Deb and I are going on a eastern Caribbean cruise for ten days in January. I have always avoided cruises as I could never see the value. Large expense, limited time in ports, large amounts of people, none of this appeals to me. But now that we are committed to going, I have to admit I am kinda excited. We are going with friends so that adds a different dimension to the planning and agenda as well. Should be fun and we will get to see many amazing places  (St Kitts, Peurto Rico, St Marteens, and so on). Plus Deb has always wanted to go on a cruise so she gets to check one off her bucket list and I am privileged to be a part of that. So this will either be my first of many or my last ever, I'm hoping for the first obviously. 

   Next is that Kody just about done his 4th year at Nait and my "little" boy will be making his way out into the real world to apply his trade. It will all be on him to either succeed or fail, and I am both incredibly proud of him and at the same time anxious for him that he is about to see an industry that can be downright vicious to newcomers. I have been in the parts end of the industry for the better part of  forty years (yikes I'm old) and will offer him guidance if he needs or asks but I must let him find his own way. I am not ready for this 😕 but it is not about me and I need to remember that. 

   So while I resist change in my life, it is going to happen whether I like it or not, so I must adapt. 

   One place this directly applies to my Kung Fu is in teaching. Being asked to take the lead of a class is something I never saw coming in my life. If I was to flash back even five years ago this would never even have been thought, I mean who am I to teach Kung Fu to anyone??. SOOO many emotions and ideas via for dominance in me when I am asked to take the lead. I will not go into detail but it can be overwhelming to say the least. But I will give it my utmost effort and plan for success but learn from any failure. I am surrounded by great people who will guide me when needed, who will inspire me to be "better". So while this change in my inner being is terrifying, I relish it in ways I never dreamed of. 

Push Ups  1144

Sit Ups  9933

Sparring 510 min

1609KM  1047.98 km

Acts of Kindness 1030 recorded

Hand Form  305

Weapon Form  306

Mastery recited 27