For many, today is the return to work and school after the Christmas holiday. For me, I miss the old tradition of celebrating the full twelve days of Christmas; I don’t even like to see the tree come down before January sixth! My age and eccentricities are not the question of the day though.
As a former paramedic, I remember how the heart attack calls would jump through the roof starting right after Thanksgiving; often giving a different and dark meaning to Black Friday. The pre-holiday period was crazy busy for us as we would respond to calls of chest pain and suicidal depression more than any other time of the year. Being a guy the mall is not my normal destination for anything, but those days we would be called to respond there often. It was a tough time for all of us.
If you have chronic pain, have you felt left out, or like you just couldn’t get into the holiday spirit? Did you get frustrated not being part of the holiday preparations, or were you secretly glad?!? How was the family? Do people think your back problem also made you deaf and somewhat stupid? Did they ask you repeatedly, and repeatedly, and repeatedly, “How are you? Really?”
If this season of joy, of giving, of glad tidings to men of goodwill can take a toll on the “healthy”, was it even harder on you? I did miss my part of trimming the tree, my work in the kitchen, and wrapping presents, but I’ve learned how to relax and enjoy the season. How about you? Did the Christmas holiday help you, or did it drive your pain higher and your depression lower? Let’s talk about it.
I can only complain one thing during the Christmas season - my cholesterol level. We celebrate this season with a lot of foods, and I couldn't help but eat and drink. I hit the gym after the holidays though.
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