Follow Your Intuition & Get Checked Out | almamyrtle.com

Yep. The title says it all. Please listen to your gut feelings about your health and get checked out. Im telling you this because I want you to be strong inside and out. Don't be afraid.

I've always had sensitive joints, particularly in my hands but I never thought that I'd get a phone call from my doctor telling me that I am to receive an urgent referral to an orthopedist. My first thought with all of this was "I'm only 34! F*ck, man. What now?!"

I must admit that I'm still kind of afraid of what's next with all of this but I want to fix this before it's too late. I'm a writer. I write every single day & I write a lot! I love my hands. : ( Im also very physically strong, I enjoy lifting things(sometimes people when they're in my way ; ) and moving freely through the streets of NYC on my bike. Maybe there's a new way coming for me with some things that will be healthier for my hands...more time to write but using different tools/instruments... just thinking along here...

At first, my family thought that it was a mild form of arthritis. I had a lot of the symptoms including waking up during humid or rainy nights with stiffness & the inability to make a comfortable fist. None of the doctors were able to pinpoint it & one doctor stressed that I didn't need an xray(ridiculous. I was in the emergency room!).

After my accident last year with a metal rolling gate(the ones used to close up stores from the outside), I have had even more pain. The gate came down on my forearm causing it to swell up into the shape of a bow(think bow & arrow). Now, the pain never really goes away completely.

Take care of yourself. If you think you need to get checked out, just do it. Don't wait. Follow your gut instincts. I did and with a bit of patience I was able to get my x-ray.

Your body gets you through the day. Your body gets you through life. Honor it & listen to it. I know that it's not always easy but do the best that you can and your body will behave graciously.

Love you,

Alma