unseen injuries

you can't see it when you look at me

and if you watch my comings and goings,

most of the time,

you will catch no hint of it

but it is there

and for the last few weeks it has made its presence known

loud and clear at times, stopping me in my tracks

quietly nagging, simply slowing me down at other times

and occasionally totally quiet, behaving itself and not interfering at all

I have back issues 

documented in 2005: one herniated disc, two bulging discs 

documented in 2015: arthritis, scoliosis and bone spurs

in 2005 the neuro surgeon wanted me to try PT rather than cut on me

I am very thankful it worked 

recently I moved something I shouldn't have and it's flared

I finished a round of steroids this week and am doing PT at home 2x per day

it's helping,

but I have been very aware that things aren't right

and every time I get a twitch or a pain, 

this thought runs through my mind:

everyone I see is probably battling some hidden pain or injury 

and if someone I know is exhibiting uncharacteristic behaviors,

they may be having a flare of an old injury

so...

be aware

be kind

be patient

be compassionate

not all *injuries are visible

but unseen does not make them any less painful or serious

* this is not just about physical injuries