Chronic Pain is a Mutha F**ker!
This isn’t a story about me, although I’m kind of in it. This is a story about my cane. We’ll have to talk about me for a second to explain why it’s here, but after that it’ll be just the cane. chronic pain
I’ve done many different things in the pool industry (retail, manufacturing, etc.) before going out on my own and opening a Swimming Pool Service Company. This I did for several years before I started having some difficulty walking. Then it progressed. Oddly, hard flat surfaces were a non-issue. Inclines, declines, and soft surfaces (like a pool owner’s lawn) became torturous, so I opted to sell my company with the end in sight. The onset of Chronic pain was a shame because I enjoyed what I did.
With my extensive background in the industry and not quite old enough to retire, I began consulting/teaching. The benefit was two-fold. It afforded me an income, which is good because I like to eat and created a means in which I could give back (even if only in a small way) to an industry that had been very good to me. Sadly, the difficulty in my mobility continued to progress and (at times) would be accompanied by pain. Thus, the Cane.
I decided if I were going to have a cane, it would need to be a badass cane. I searched a bit before I came across the one I would purchase—a walking stick made from blackthorn, the hard, durable wood grown wild along hedgerows in Ireland. I was so freaking cool that it came with a label of authenticity from the maker who had made sticks for Presidents Reagan, Kennedy, Clinton, and Obama as well.
Irish Walking Stick Genuine Blackthorn Made in Ireland
Not quite ready to curl up in a ball in the corner, and fearing the inevitable, I decided to push through the pain and take my badass blackthorn cane to see what we could see before I one day reach a point where I can not walk at all. I will turn my roadblocks into speed bumps and make my weaknesses my strengths. No matter what obstacle gets in my way (physical or otherwise), I will not merely overcome it – I will find a way to kick the living? Out of it.
My Cane will not be my Crutch, it will be my Catalyst
Crossing Frozen Chena River, Fairbanks Alaska, – 30° F. Yes, we went in February. Insane? Maybe, but we got to see the Aurora borealis, did some dog mushing, a night of ice fishing, and caught a ride with a bushmailer up to the Iñupiat village of Anaktuvuk Pass in the Arctic circle.
Doctors may never know what is affecting my ability to walk (I have stumped the best of the best), but with so much left to see, if I reach a point, I can no longer walk… I will crawl.
06/01/2020 UPDATE:
After ten years of declining walking ability, I have been knocked on my ass. This has been the most brutal year yet and recognized a more rapid decline. Whatever had been wreaking havoc on my legs has taken a toll on other muscles throughout my body. I do finally have a diagnosis. A few return visits to the Mayo Clinic have determined a neurological disorder that can expect symptoms similar to MS.
This by no means indicates that my fight is over. Just the opposite, for me, the fight has just begun. I get bummed; of course, I do. Who wouldn’t? But my spirits are good. I will enter into Mayo Clinics’ intense physical therapy program once the COVID-19 restrictions are lifted and plan on a short desert hike and the Pyramids of Giza shortly.
03/07/2022 UPDATE
Sadly, everybody was wrong. I am doing much better now but have been left with neurologic claudication. Still, a win compared to where I had been. I have to be honest – for as much as I soap boxed about not quitting above, it eventually caught up to me. Check out the final and correct diagnosis at this link here: Dr. Google Search.
Noting that last paragraph convinces me. You have a bad ass cane because you are one bad ass man. I salute you.
Thank you for your kind words ?
I, too, have a mobility issue that is progressive. I do not, alas, have a badass walking cane (yet); and I desperately wish that I had thought and been able to do what you’ve done and get my walking done while I could do the amazing things you’ve done. (Especially spelunking with the bats, always wanted to do that and still may!)
In other areas (such as a head injury) I’ve done what you have – turned a weakness into a strength. You inspired me in class where I forgot you had a badass walking cane until you flung it down to make a point.
I hope you and the badass walking cane continue to have awesome adventures together. And if some miracle happens and you don’t need to use it anymore, use it anyway because it really is a badass walking cane.
Thank you Meridith and thank you for your kind words. It is never too late to see what you can see.
Wow that’s really awesome trips you have been on! What an experience
Thanks Jeff! Want to see what I can B4 I can’t ?
“It’s never too late to see what you can see.”
EPIC words right there. I’m seeing a convo with my 2 sons about that quote in the near future. Please be well sir.
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That cane is super dope! Way to go for not letting your issues with mobility stop you from exploring the world!
Thank you! Yes, that can Rocks! I wish I had started trekking about the planet so much sooner ?
Great to see you still doing your thing in spite of what’s going on.
Thank you D’ondra!
Wow,
I never head about this place. Do you recommend to visit this place with family ?
Which one? Depends upon how adventurous you and your family are.
This is fantastic and inspirational!
Thank you Nicole! Hoping it encourages folks to challenge themselves ?
I love that your badass cane is helping you to see so many places! Inspiring to not let mobility issues hold you back.
*Samantha- https://herjournal.blog
Thanks Samantha! Lucky enough to have a super amazing wife who is my inspiration in breaking boundaries and we break every one side-by-side ?
It’s awesome that you have never let this issue stop you from travelling the world.. very inspirarional.
Thank you Gareth! ✈ Still so much I hope to see
Honestly I do like your creativity.
The idea of using the cane to counter attack mobility issue is dope
Thank you Qarrey & Thank you for reading! ❤ that Cane!!!
I love this so much! You are an inspiration. Keep climbing and like you said, if you have to crawl then crawl.
Thank you Charlene! Your words are kind and definitely appreciated.?
I remember reading this months ago when it was first published and thought it very inspiring. I happened to come across it again when I looked up the individual who gave the amazing chemistry talk at the first pool show we have gone to in Sarasota today and it was yourself! I was as the front of the stage with my wife. We will have to look you up in a few years when our CPO expires.
Thank you, David, both for reading and attending my chemistry presentation/demonstration at the ipssa Show last night. I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was a fun class to teach. Yes, definitely. It would be a pleasure to have you in our CPO Cert class!
You’re a pretty amazing human being, my friend!
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Hey Rudy, Chronic pain is truly terrible. Let me know when you’re in Tallahassee next and I’ll get you in the float tank!
I will. Definitely! Thank you Jeff
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No matter how tiresome, I believe everyone who lives in pain 24/7 should keep searching for answers. It’s okay to take breaks, but don’t quit. If you give up the search, then the pain you have is the pain you own. We have you in our prayers 🙏 ; Godspeed, my friend!