It began when I was 22-years-old and pregnant with my youngest son. I began to experience mystery aches, pains and stiffness and my hips and lower back would suddenly lock up without warning. We dismissed it all as symptoms of my pregnancy that would resolve itself after our son was born; but, that was not to be the case. By age 27 it had worsened and I was limping after being on my feet for just a few hours, a real problem for a practicing hairstylist who had to be on her feet all day. I was soon diagnosed with a progressive bone disease called Ankylosing Spondylitis and there was no cure, only pain management. I am grateful that I was able to remain relatively active while my sons were young, but as they got older the disease progressed and began limiting my range of motion and activities. Today, the disease also effects my ribcage and restricts my ability to breathe deeply, I can walk only a short distance without creating discomfort in my lower back and hips, and if I neglect to take my anti-inflammatory medication stiffness in my neck will develop and trigger migraine headaches. In the midst of my morning shuffle to loosen up the inflexible vertebrae and hips a little Beastie comes charging at me ready to play! There is no bad time to scramble up G-Ma mountain and conquer her laughably weak muscles!
Of course, I can't resist when he insists that I lift him over my head to touch the ceiling so that he can exclaim "Whoa! High!", nor can I deny him when he demands that I climb up his play-set ladder and follow him down the slide like a very ungraceful walrus who hobbles away once I reach bottom. Naturally, when he swings on his play-set he points to the swing next to him and says "mama, too!". Oh, and we can't forget that mischievous face that grins and demands I "RUN!" around the kitchen island a dozen times to catch and tickle him. Just yesterday he wanted to roll down the hill and commanded me to follow suit. I eyed the grass suspiciously for hidden rocks, bugs and spiders that may be lurking to ruin my day and in the end did as I was told (looking quite ridiculous, I'm sure). After a couple of tumbles down the embankment I got up and thought, Holy crap! I'm too old for this stuff! He's only two-years-old and I have no idea how I am going to keep up with him over the next several years! If I were able, I'd certainly hire a body double to step in at times like this because there are days he goes down for his nap and I am equally exhausted and nap as well. Sadly, while a two hour nap completely revitalizes him, I wake feeling like it was about 2 hours too short a nap!
Attempting to be proactive, a few weeks ago I did decide to take up Yoga. I am just a beginner, however, I am seeing a difference in my strength and flexibility. Unfortunately, this does nothing to alleviate the pain I experience from my bone disease. I have learned to grin and bear it, plus indulge in long hot showers following especially active days. Keeping up with these little people at our age is not an easy thing to do and I don't expect it would be much easier if my health were better. They are a bundle of seemingly unlimited energy and they don't understand the limitations of our OLD bodies. I really had no concept of how old I'd actually become prior to this little Beastie becoming my drill sergeant. I now live for the weekend when his Poppie is home to entertain him and get his own workout, while I enjoy a couple of mornings sleeping-in and being lazy. For my own well-being, I've had to learn to say "no, baby" so that I don't over exert myself. There are days when it results in a tantrum and other days when a trade off is made and we color with chalk or crayons quietly instead. It's alright to say "no" sometimes, we don't have to be the super grandma and grandpa every day. If we don't ensure we are taking care of ourselves, we won't be in tip top condition to take care of these little whirlwinds of energy!