Mo's Manic Monday - Bud

Posted: Monday, April 14, 2008 by Travis Cody in
34



Welcome to another Manic Monday with Morgen. Don't forget to cruise by MM HQ at It's A Blog Eat Blog World. Today's theme is Bud.

You may or may not know that Friday was my birthday. I am now 44 years old. YAY me!

I wish I was a healthier 44. Chronic pain sucks, and it's getting worse every year. I used to be a regular gym rat. Just two years ago, I went to the gym at least four days a week. I worked mostly with a personal trainer who used to kick my ass...and I loved it! He was able to help me manage the proper techniques and weights to keep the strength in my legs.

I also did 200 sit ups and push ups on my own every day.

But I haven't been to the gym in almost a year now. Last year it was my back and my knees that kept me from it. This year, we add my shoulder to the list of creaky stuff.

Without really being aware of it, this chronic pain situation has turned me into a bit of a home body. So I figured on Friday, when Pam said for me to meet her downtown in the evening, that it was for drinks and a quiet birthday dinner.

She had other ideas.

We did meet for drinks. And it turned out that we met our best friends at Cypress in the Westin hotel. This is a couple I met when I first moved up here who kind of adopted me as the single guy who needed looking after. And then when I met Pam, we just became a great foursome with lots in common.

We had to cancel plans on Wednesday because of my issues with my shoulder. And they had said that they couldn't go out with us on Friday because they had other plans.

It turns out the other plans we a surprise party for me!

After we had a drink and a toast to my 44th year on the planet we headed to my favorite steakhouse, The Keg.

Here's the best part of the surprise...Pam had invited all my Buds! We used to call ourselves The Pack because of the way we hung out together, but I hadn't seen a lot of these guys in over a year. It was great to see them and catch up on the projects they are working on. These guys are graphics designers and sculptors and writers and musicians. I worked with most of them before my company went through restructuring a couple years ago. I was so happy to hear how successful they were.

But, seeing my Buds reminded me that I've been surrendering to the pain. It's been a gradual surrender, but a very real one.

I have to do something about this.

Well, the good news is that I had a great birthday. I got to see my Buds and catch up on what they've been doing. I had a first class steak. And I had a few pain free days to remember what it was like to get out and do stuff with friends.

34 comments:

  1. Now that was a nice birthday. What a lovely surprise from your lady and seeing old friends is always a treat.

    Sounds like you're getting a handle on the psychological aspects of chronic pain. Each year, when more and more "creaks" appear, it gets more challenging.
    Just a part of life. Hope you start to feel like yourself again soon.

  1. Julie says:

    I'm so glad that you got a surprise! You talk with such warmth.....it touches me.

  1. Danielle says:

    Happy Birthday!!!!
    You are a lucky man. Your birthday rocked in my book.

    Thanks again for participating in the blogblast, it meant the world to me and a worthy cause was forwarded.

    Danielle

    In light and love

  1. Lizza says:

    Happy, happy birthday! Sounds like you had a great evening indeed.

    Better to feel pain than feel nothing at all. Well, not really. I hope your aches disappear.

  1. I hear you on the pain--at least some of it. Happy birthday, though! Many more! :)

  1. Janna says:

    Your birthday? Wow!
    Cool!
    44? Really?
    Somehow I always picture you as being a sort of perpetual 29 or 30.

    The steak looks yummy.
    Now I want steak.
    And bacon.
    And tacos.
    Perhaps all together.

    Have a good year! :)

  1. A good time had, there. Happy birthday!

  1. Gattina says:

    and we celebrated Mr. Gattino's birthday on saturday, lol ! I also invited all his buds !!

  1. Anonymous says:

    Hi Travis. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, even though it is a bit late. Sounds like it was a really good one. I'm glad you got to see your buds.

    I relate all too well to the chronic pain situation and how it can rob you of life. My life is so sedentary compared to what it once was. I do manage to keep busy with a lot of stuff, but I'm sure not physically active like I once was. We just have to keep working at it, I guess, and just don't let it win.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Whoof!! Happy Welping Day Travis... here's a dog cookie for your special day. It's no cake, but what can a dog do? BARK!

  1. Anonymous says:

    A surprise party?! Oh wow, how fun!!! I did NOT know it was your birthday. Glad to hear you had a good one.

  1. DrillerAA says:

    I am glad you had a great time with old friends. Any day that you get to spend with people you like and admire is a good day.
    Again, Happy Birthday.
    I was 44 once.

  1. Schmoop says:

    Happy Belated Birthday Travis. It is nice to know that someone is older than me. Albeit by less than a year. Cheers!!

  1. Ah, yes, I knew it was your B-day, Travis! I'm glad you had a great party! You're pretty young to give yourself over to chronic pain. Have you seen an orthopedist? Or a chiropractor (I've never been but some people think they are good). Also try working out but take aspirin or naproxen or ibupropen first then work out slowly and carefully. It might help. But I'm no doctor. But do something about the pain if you can, Travis. You're too young to be laid up.

  1. Marsha says:

    Glad you had a great birthday and topped of with friends!! So Cool!! I've had knee issues for the past 6 months and I understand about pain...it do get old! Hope you start feeling better soon!

  1. Kimmie says:

    I am so Happy that your lady gave you such a nice surprise for your birthday. She is a keeper thats for sure. :-)

    I am sorry about your cronic pain. I live with a very severe type of Rheumatoid Arthritis, I have had pain for over two years now. At first I couldn't walk it came on so fast and furious. I was like that for 10 months. It took that long to get in to a Rheumatoid Specialist. I have made great progress with a combination of Methotrexate and Humira Injections. It was hard, but I always pushed myself forward, refusing to let this disease take over my life. After 16 months, I was finally given the approval to join the gym again. Even though it is a slow beginning, it is a NEW Beginning. Just remember Trav, we only have this one life to live...fight as hard as you can to not let the pain beat you. You can do it...take my hand if you would like and I will help you my friend. I won't let you give up!!!
    Hugs,
    Kimmie

  1. I'm glad you had a wonderful birthday. Chronic anything sucks, and it IS easy to surrender sometimes, isn't it? Don't forget to live a little once in a while, Trav - it makes the burden just a little less.

  1. Sandee says:

    How fun Travis. Congratulations on your 44th too.

    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday to you
    Happy Birthday dear Travis,
    Happy Birthday to you.

    Pam is a sweetheart. Have a great MM. :)

  1. Happy birthday. Sounds like fun.

    I know what you're talking about with the chronic pain. Back hurts me a lot these days, and worst of all is the constant burning, tingling, aching in my feet, which makes it hard to sit for long periods and which the doctors have no cure for.

  1. Anndi says:

    Pack eh? So THAT was why I heard howling! ;)
    Good on Pam for that!

    Maybe go back and approach the trainor about how to work around the pain? Sometimes it's worth it.
    HUGS

  1. Happy Birthday. Sorry about the creaks and groans.I sympathize with your chronic pain, and hope you have discovered the wonders of exercising in a good therapy pool. It may not solve the problem, but there is a lot to be said for bearable.

  1. Having lived with someone who suffered chronic pain, I can relate to your being a homebody Travis...it really is difficult.

    Thrilled Dear Pam put together the surprise for you...Seeing old friends is a great way to open our eyes to our current life...

    You are a special guy Travis and you have a special Lady.

  1. Akelamalu says:

    What a lovely surprise for your birthday!

    Happy Birthday and Many Happy Returns to you Trav.

    I know about chronic pain having suffered it for years before I had my knee op - it sucks!

  1. Liz Hill says:

    How awesome Trav;-)

  1. Anonymous says:

    Happy belated birthday! As a 45- year old it only gets better from here...LOL!

    Glad you could spend the day with some of your buds. Helps make the aches and pains of aging go away.

    HUGS!
    Lois

  1. Mimi: The pain is one thing, but I forgot that attitude is important when dealing with adversity. I remember it now.

    Julie: Hugs!

    Danielle: I thought it rocked too!

    Lizza: I'd rather not have it, but wishing it away isn't working so I'll have to try something else.

    Lana: Thanks!

    Janna: Well, you can get chicken with bacon in a chalupa at Taco Bell now!

    Anthony: It was a great time, thanks!

    Gattina: Happy Birthday to him!

    Alice: The worst was realizing that I was giving in to it. That has to stop.

    Reba: Thanks puppy! Cookies are always acceptable!

    CWM: I was totally surprised. Pam is sneaky.

    Drilleraa: It's not a bad age so far.

    Matt: I'll report back how it is so you don't have too much shock when your time comes. Cheers!

  1. Teach: I tried a couple of things last year. They seemed to work in the short term so I may go back to those.

    Marsha: It was great to see those guys!

    Kimmie: She's definitely a keeper. I'm pretty lucky.

    Songbird: Indeed. I remembered that on Friday.

    Sandee: Thank you dear.

    Charles: Just getting comfortable can be a chore.

    Ann: I've thought about doing that...it's on the list of options.

    Jamie: That's another option on the list. Water makes me nervous, but I know a hot shower loosens things up so a therapy pool is worth looking into.

    V: The change was really dramatic. It's hard to believe I hadn't noticed until we went out.

    Akelamalu: Both knees, a hip, and a shoulder...that's a pretty hefty list of replacements for me!

    Turn: It was!

    Lois: It did help quite a bit.

  1. BeckEye says:

    Happy belated birthday!

  1. Linda says:

    Travis, you have quite the woman there to have planned such an excellent birthday surprise for you! I think she deserves an extra kiss!

    As for the chronic pain, I can truly sympathize. Ever since my back started acting up, I'm afraid to do anything anymore for fear of making it worse. I was looking longingly at my golf clubs down in the basement the other day and wondering why I even bother keeping them at this point. Perhaps I remain cautiously hopeful?

    I wish you a year filled with new happiness, new memories, and a new spring in your step even if it's just a small one. Hang in there and just wait till you get to be my age!

  1. Jeff B says:

    What a great way to celebrate your birthday. I haven't been able to hang out with my buds from Calif. for way too long. Glad you had so much fun.

  1. j says:

    *singing* (sorry Sweetie)

    "Happy Happy Birthday
    From this Old Jen to You
    Happy Happy Birthday
    May all your dreams come true

    Vote for Pedro

    This is your Birthday Song
    It isn't very long
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!"

    No, I didn't know Friday was your 44th b'day. I would have taken the opportunity to eat one of our favorites....CAKE!

    Glad that you had such a great time. Pam sounds fabulous!

    Travis, I'm really sorry that you have to cope with chronic pain. There's not a thing in this world that I can do for you and there isn't anything I can say except "sorry". Doesn't help a bit, does it? You hang in there.

    I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

    Jen

  1. Jeni says:

    Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, my friend! What a neat thing for Pam to have organized a get-together for you like that! I didn't realize you too are dealing with chronic pain issues. And I was blaming all of mine just on getting old but it looks like it hits a lot of you young pups too. Now, have a great year ahead and many more after that too, Birthday Boy!

  1. Happy Belated Birthday, buddy!

  1. Beck: Thanks!

    Linda: Isn't she something? Don't give up your golfing until you absolutely have to! I'm not giving in yet!

    Jeff: I really missed those guys too.

    Jennifer: **wolf whistles** Thanks for the birthday song! And I did have CAKE!

    Jeni: Most of my pain comes from old sports injuries. It sucks, but I'm not giving in without a fight!

    Mo: Thanks my friend!