the Walnut Diary

As recovery progresses, I am discovering new ways to hurt.  Yesterday’s session with the central vacuum cleaner hose was an eye-opener.  It looks as easy as can be, right?  Plug in the hose and push the nozzle around the floor.  But that nozzle is a bit over four feet from the operator’s right hand, and he moves it from side to side by twisting motions of his hand.  What do you figure the mechanical disadvantage of those movements is, 36:1?  And say the suction produces 1 lb. of friction on a hardwood floor.  That’s 36 pounds on your wrist to move it.  My wrists, arms, chest and all are restricted to a 15 lb. maximum load.  Lots of pectoral and shoulder pain overnight.

Today’s adventure was a drive in my neglected Toyota Tacoma pickup.  The truck started willingly after three months of idleness.  No problem.  It rumbled down the driveway and onto County Road 42.  Up through the gears, until it came time to shift into fifth.  Eyowch!  That movement against the little spring in the transmission to get into fifth really hurts on a muscle that must have been cut off six weeks ago.  I toughed it out with every upshift, but now that it’s home I think I’ll leave the Tacoma where it’s parked for a couple of weeks.