Calcification (Calcific tendonitis)! I hadn`t even heard of it. Then google was God and encyclopedia. As I read I realized, it has absolutely nothing to do with calcium intake. It is the body`s protective measure against pain signaling you to stop, check and restore the damage that you are doing. It is when you don`t pay heed that it reaches this crucial stage. The realization was gradually sinking in that I had completely disregarded all the signs. 7 years!! What was I doing?? Why had I challenged my pain threshold, why hadn`t I thought of the consequence? I looked at my limp hand by my side and tears rolled down. This time not in pain but with the tumultuous thought, would I fully recover?
There was no guarantee that the calcification would not reoccur even after a surgery, said all the doctors we consulted. So I decided against it. I began the gradual rehab physiotherapy to get the movement back into my hand. Every time, I would go to Nanavati hospital, the only thing that would stop tears from falling would be the other patients around me, accident victims, some with paralysis. It suddenly dawns on you how many things you take for granted in your life. Being unable to move my right hand, I felt like an invalid, it pained me, it angered me. I turned a rebel, refused to be fed or clothed with help, used my left hand for everything, began to write, cook food, even put make up all by myself. It was a slow and painful recovery.
After 2 weeks I started going to a small gym near my home, it used to be almost empty and I could be alone as I did my rehab exercises. That`s when I was introduced to Swapneel Hazare, my trainer. “Give me 3 months” he said, patiently guiding me step by step throughout my rehab. We would take one step forward and then a simple action of brushing my hair would take us back two. Sleeping was an issue, I could not turn on my side or even pull up a blanket, couldn`t sit straight cause my shoulder would droop forward, I couldn`t even hold a spoon at times.
Each day a new problem would crop up and I would end up crying in the shower because I didn`t want anyone to see me like that. But I was determined to get okay. I religiously did my physio exercises 5 times a day. Swapneel would slowly keep nudging me on till I was finally doing most of my daily routine with minimal pain. It`s been over a year now, there are still things I can`t do, and the journey persists but he doesn`t give up on me. Sometimes he pushes me to take on a challenge, sometimes he holds me back when I get too adventurous. But yes today I am way fitter than I ever was, more self-aware of my body, and clearer about placing my priorities right.
I owe me the best I can. I deserve it. So do you all. So look after your health cause that`s one blessing you never want to lose.