My Everest…

As I got to know my way around my body I would notice that certain things made a difference as to whether it would flare it up or just simply irritate it somewhat to the almost breaking point.  There is always something new to learn like the yarn fiasco that my hands and fingers are still more sensitized then they were previously so I know that I need to proceed with caution in all cases.  Most times I have my bodyguard (hubby) with me and he protects the side that is most vulnerable and sensitive from all sorts of interference.  Poking, smacking, pulling, pushing…whatever you can think of he knows NOT to do it.  It’s not that doing it once will send me into a flare but if I get sitting beside a person that likes doing that kind of stuff.  It’s bothersome and puts the grumpy bear on high alert.  Also from a neck standpoint even though I have less ROM (range of motion) on that side my body is most comfortable having someone there.  When I walk with new people they are often on my other side as  I don’t want them to be on the sensitive side so as to not bother the flare bear and I leave it unguarded.   If i am having a conversation with several people just standing around I will often take a stance where I can see everything and my neck doesn’t need to move a lot.   Most often I do this without any fanfare it just happens.  But there have been times where I have stuck myself into the wrong spot.  Then I have some choices.   Ask to switch, which I do now.  Show up earlier to avoid it all.  Or get stuck with a sore neck and a happy flare bear.   Earlier on in my learning curve days I didn’t assert myself and I suffered and paid the price later on.   Now because I am so over it I just say I need to switch or if my stubbornness comes into play I suck it up and then it’s a problem. Mine and the flare bears! FYI –  Kids love to yank on peoples arms this I know so when I am at scouts watching them I just don’t opt in to anything like that.  I see them coming, the arms get folded up or I rest them on my legs when I stand and we move on from there.  If they go yank, yank it’s not good for me.  So be assertive or else the flare bear will become assertive with you!