This past year, I have dealt with increased neck issues and pain—giving a whole new meaning to "a pain in the neck," literally. My husband suggested seeing if I could get it fixed. My first reaction was, "It can’t be fixed," but he encouraged me to at least look into it.
With less than a year left before he retires, we wanted to address this while we still have health insurance through his employer. I’ve learned through my own work that Medicare doesn’t cover everything, so I agreed it was time to take action.
I discovered that correction is possible, so I made an appointment with a neurosurgeon in January. After an MRI and a CT scan, the results showed significant arthritis and some bone growth. While the doctor doesn’t recommend surgery, he has prescribed intense physical therapy three times a week, plus daily exercises at home. This will be a lifelong commitment to maintain mobility. Some days are still a struggle; there are times when the mobility is so poor it even hurts to swallow.
Living with this for over 50 years has also affected my physical symmetry. As I’ve gotten older, the lack of symmetry in my face, head, and ears has become more noticeable. I don't mean to be offensive, but sometimes I feel like a stroke victim. I told my husband that recently, and of course, being the sweet man he is, he disagreed. I even joked with my dad that I’m "defective"—since I was born with a birth defect, I figure I might as well make light of the situation! What else can you do?
During my research, I learned something fascinating: hip dysplasia and torticollis occur together in 1 out of 6 babies. It is most common in first-born females—which is exactly what I am. It’s also hereditary. I’m fairly certain it came from my dad’s side; I seem to have inherited all his problems... along with his winning personality!
This is a struggle I’ll continue to face, but I’m staying positive. Lord willing, this physical therapy and the exercises will help maintain my mobility for years to come. My goal is to stay away from pain pills; they make me sick, so if I can get by with just ibuprofen, I consider that a win.
An even bigger win? Neither of my children were born with these issues. I am forever grateful to the Lord for that.
If you ever see a child or an adult whose head sits a bit crooked or whose features aren't perfectly symmetrical, now you have an idea of why. Thank you for following along with my journey. AllyBay-Annette
