By Ester Marsh

As I have mentioned before, I abused my body in top sport, especially since it was judo. Judo is a martial art where you throw (or get thrown), strangle, break and/or pin someone down. Yes, they can “tap out” before that actually happens.

In college, I was told numerous times: “Wait till you get older,” waiving his finger in my face. I wanted our sports doctor to ultrasound, tape or do whatever so I could continue my practices and matches. I see his imaginary finger in my face every day! I don’t regret top sport, I regret that I didn’t take better care of my injuries. My judo sensei told me to keep moving. Whatever you do, keep moving. So I do! And truly, I feel the best when I am in my regular routine of cardio, strength and flexibility. It’s when I do different stuff, typically inactivity, when I typically aggravate parts of my body.

After all kinds of spine issues and a three-level fusion in my neck, I seem to do pretty good there (don’t want to say it too loud). About three months ago, I pulled some muscles in my buttocks, and am returning (very slowly) to normal. Then Christmas came and I picked up too many grandbabies at one time while sitting on the floor. Because of this, and not doing my regular exercise routine, I pulled my back muscles. Once again, movement, stretching and light strengthening got me back to normal.

Then, after a few too many classes one day, I had this very painful lump pop up right on top of my shoulder, on top of my AC joint (acromioclavicular joint — the joint of your clavicle and part of shoulder blade). After a few weeks, I made an appointment with our local shoulder specialist, Dr. Ginn. I just had my appointment in the beginning of this week. It felt softer (after I was able to touch it due to the initial pain) so I was hoping for a cyst. After x-rays were taken, Dr. Ginn came in and confirmed it is/was a ganglion cyst. I was relieved until he said, “Oh, there is a lot more going on in that shoulder.” It doesn’t surprise me since I see that imaginary finger wave in my face every day after an abusive sports career.

So what is a ganglion cyst? It’s a lump under the skin that has fluid inside of it. Most of the time, it is found in a joint or in a tendon in the hand or wrist. Mine is on top of my right shoulder and I have spoken to many people where they had one behind their knee. It forms when there is a small tear in the covering of the tendon. Fluid will collect in that space and a cyst is formed. Dr. Ginn drained my cyst and injected that space with cortisone. The shoulder is already feeling better, now hopefully my lump will go away too. This is on my right shoulder, my left is a whole other issue.

We are so lucky to have such great doctors in Rowan County. I have surrounded myself with the Dream Team! My general practitioner is Dr. Stallworth, my gynecologist (and one of my best friends) is Dr. Blumenthal, my cervical specialist is neurosurgeon Dr. Roy. My ENT for followup after tonsil cancer is Dr. Whitaker. My gastroenterologist is Dr. Jagarlamudi, and now my joint/shoulder specialist Dr. Ginn. I am doing my therapy exercises on my shoulders and staying away from exercises which aggravate the shoulder joint. We shall see where this journey leads me but I will do my best to continue my health and aging process by exercising and eating healthy. Getting older is not for sissies, but it is better than six feet under!

Ester H. Marsh is director of healthy living at the J.F. Hurley Family YMCA.