Camino lessons

So today has ultimately been a lesson in understanding, and more so, trying to accept my limits

As I was walking today I was struck by the thought that when you are struggling with the uphill hurdles that life throws at you, just like the Camino, you wish for a change in direction. The only thing is that you should be careful what you wish for. For infact, the downhills often take a greater toll. That's sure been the case with my knee

I set out knowing just like the last Camino that this would always be a huge ask of my body, and perhaps more so than for a lot of other people.

By and large, all those years when Neurosarcoid was active are behind me- well for now. I let myself forget just how bad things were. I'm too busy getting on with life.

The reality is my knee had arthritis in it years ago. It's also been injured in two car accidents. The high dose steroid infusions that saved my sight caused necrosis of the base of my femur behind my knee, and then a sarcoid growth on the bone added to the problem. Surgery helped, but about ten years ago now, I was told I would need a knee replacement.

I also have a residual weakness it the same leg because of the sarcoidosis, meaning that I have to consciously remember to lift that leg when I am tired or I trip and fall.

So what do I do... take up walking Camino's. The plan for tomorrow had been another 18 miles, but I'm laying here, not even sure I could make 3 miles.

I'm neither ready nor prepared to call it quits just yet.

So, sarcoid today, you may have knocked me down, but damn you all it's done is force me to face reality and come back with a counter offer.

Tonight, my knee is again retaped. It's been iced, and anti-inflammatory gel applied then the knee brace. I've popped my regular daily Codeine and pregabalin as without them, I couldn't function day to day on a normal day

I've booked a beachside dorm for tomorrow night. It's a little over ten miles away. Prebooking means I have time to go slow. Though at the moment I am thinking it is more likely I will get a taxi. Rest up and then taxi back here in a couple of days to resume my Camino.

Feeling a lot less disheartened than a few hours agoBaca lagi