THE ACUPUNCTURE DIARIES.

MARCH 2010—after my appointment with world renowned Doctor Zimmerman at Mayo Clinic I truly hit the lowest point in my Trigeminal Neuralgia journey. I had some pretty high hopes that this top dog could help me out. Instead, he told me I was not a candidate for any of their treatments, even the brain surgery that I was totally willing to have, even hoping to have. He said I should give acupuncture a try. Clint, not one to succumb to the devastation of bad news, wasted no time in finding a practitioner trained in the Chinese Art of Acupuncture. I was reticent. I made Clint go with me, not just to be there to support me. No, he got the full acupuncture treatment right along with me. That man really loves me.
APRIL-MAY 2020—I have appointments two times a week now. Brent puts the needles in with a decisive tap then slowly twists them deeper until I either gently nod my head (just right) or involuntarily kick him in the head (too much).
JUNE 2010—I lay there in my black mesh chair reclining for an hour and fifteen minutes. Brent says it takes that long for the chi to circulate completely through my body. I am trying to meditate. I try but I get too distracted. I accidentally listen to the other patients as they whisper their troubles to Brent. I sneak a peek when Shannon tiptoes over to another recliner and slowly slips the needles out, counting on her fingers to make sure she doesn’t miss any. Just as my mind calms enough to visualize trees blowing in the breeze or beautiful Hawaii ocean waves Shannon sneaks up on me and it is my turn for needle retraction.
JULY 2010—the thing is I am not sure acupuncture is really working. My pain remains. At times my little black chair becomes my own personal roller coaster ride. With one hour and fifteen minutes on my hands I admit I have at times strayed from positive visualizations. On more than one occasion I have passed the time feeling sorry for myself. Lying there, with needles sticking out of my hands and legs and feet, tears come unbidden out of my eyes. They roll slowly down my face and onto my neck. There is no stopping them or any means to politely dab at them. I am glad that Shannon politely ignores them when she sneaks up on me. But then she does this amazing thing to my neck. She scrapes it hard with the edge of a wonton spoon until my neck looks like raw hamburger and I smile because I love it. Neck relief guaranteed for the next 2-3 days.
AUGUST 2010—I must get something out of this acupuncture experience because I keep coming back for more. Today, when I was meditating I accidentally overheard the lady next to me talking about all the weight she has lost. Maybe next time I will ask Brent to do his weight loss magic on me…