Week 6

Foxtrot

We are now into week 6 and have added two new steps; the Box step and the Twinkle.

Twinkle

Box Step

We started off with practice from last week's session, and then added in some practice on the Box Step and the Twinkle.

I am starting to get the hang of it... as Will (our instructor) calls it "Muscle Memory".

We almost were not able to make the session this week. Linda, who has been having neck and back problems, was at the Dr. Office Tuesday for an epidural in the neck. This was her second one in the neck. The first one went fairly well, so the idea of a second one would make things even better yet. Well, that did not happen. Somehow during the injection the Dr. hit a nerve which as described by Linda, as almost making her jump off the table. That was bad enough but things got worse from there. I thought she was going to jump out of the car window on the way back. Once home she went straight to bed. I try to consul her as much as I can but feel pretty useless. She described the feeling in her RIGHT arm as that of sticking her hand in a light socket, and described the pain as worse than delivering a baby. Never having delivered myself, I can only generally relate to that but being in the delivery room when the twins were born, I can get a good sense of how bad the pain must be.

By Thursday the pain had subsided some. It was still so bad that just to touch her Right arm or hand sent shock waves through her.

I suggested that we skip practice and stay home. Well she is just not that type. She is tough as nails, and I say that in a very loving way. It was her choice, so off we went to the "Y".

Now it is her right hand that must go to my left hand, while my arm is extended outward to the left. I know this was very difficult for her but extend she did, and I just kind of lightly supported/ touched her palm with my finger. Hand contact is very important in Ballroom dancing as that is where I give signals to the Gal as to what's coming next.

We rested the arm quite a bit, but were able to get through practice pretty well, but we did have to forgo the under arm twirl. We went through the routine and practiced the Box and Twinkle. I know she was really having trouble with the pain throughout the practice but did not let on. (After 44 years I can pretty much read her mind)

Ask her how she is and she will probably say "Oh, just hanging in there". That is short hand for "My arm hurts like hell". Today (Friday) the arm is a little better. Ask her if she will be getting another epidural in the neck, and I believe the answer you will get is...

 "HELL NO... NEVER AGAIN".