Day 638

I have a compressed disc in my neck. This isn't quite as serious as a slipped disc, but it goes a long way toward explaining my recent neck problems. My doctor showed me a variety of exercises I could do to relieve tension and rebuild strength in my neck muscles, but it's going to be a long, slow process, whatever I do.

I didn't have much luck getting my meds reduced. Apparently, one set of pills is helping to keep plaque from building up in my arteries and another set is keeping me from developing diabetes. Since I wouldn't welcome either a heart attack or diabetes, I will be a good boy and continue to take all my meds. Since statin drugs do have a tendency to cause muscle loss over time, my only alternative might be to join a gym and work on building those muscles back again.

I couldn't wait to get finished with dog class tonight. Dash was just fine, but I wasn't quite ready for the evening's exercises. My neck is still pretty stiff and any exercise that involved running was still a bit painful. I should have just stayed home, but it's hard to take one dog to class when the other doesn't get to go. It's easier to deal with a little neck pain than it is to deal with Dash if he was the one who got left behind.

It looks like I've got quite a few writing jobs for the rest of the week. My doc says I need to work on my posture while I'm at the computer and take longer breaks away from the monitor as I work. This is easier said than done, but I'll give it a try. I spend so much time staring at a computer screen for my work that I can easily imagine that stress and bad posture were part of the problem. Here's to a relaxed, stress free working environment. Now, if I can just keep from falling asleep on the job.

Nicholas is today's Dalmatian of the Day

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