I had a really bad headache the other day (Monday, July 27, 2020). I don’t know if I had slept badly, or if it was from being in the minibus on a long holiday trip, or hunching over at the computer, or with a mobile phone in my hand, or if I had pulled neck muscles from swimming.

I took pills twice a day, but around 8pm I had to go to bed. It felt like my head was going to explode and was unbearable.  Around 9 pm, I was feeling sick. Steve got home from work, sorted out the kids and put them to bed.  Misa however got up and came to give me a head massage (it was amazing!), brought me a bucket (just in case), gave me an aroma lamp, and held a small hand held fan in front of me.  He was very attentive and loving. I didn’t have to say anything, he knew exactly what to do. Then I started to hug the toilet bowl, so he brought pillows to the bathroom floor and we sat there, he tried to cool me so put a cold cloth on my head. Once I managed to get back to bed he laid down next to me and massaged my head for a while. However, the pills started to work and I somehow fell asleep. Steve checked on me that all was well and Misa remained in Steve’s place in the bed, reading until midnight, apparently just in case I needed him any time – but he also loves reading, something we encourage.

He was so sweet. I can already imagine him with his girlfriend or a wife if she is in pain or pregnant during childbirth, how kind he will be and helpful to her.

At 4 o’clock I woke up without pain which was a huge relief.

The next day, however, I booked myself for an hour – long Japanese acupressure massage, Shiatsu.  I wanted to try this type of massage and see if it helps my painful neck. Emilka and I went there on Thursday, July 30, 2020.  I knew that the massage was going to be performed on me by a blind person – the massage parlor is called Talking Hands.  The masseur knew exactly where to squeeze and where to press; he pulled and stretched, it was pretty painful indeed – and then I paid for the pain!

In the evening my whole body started to hurt so I went to bed early. The next day I was completely useless. I was without energy, lying down all day and relaxing. But believe me, I was absolutely fine on the third day and the sore neck was gone!

I can now do my yoga, Zumba or Figure 8 in the bedroom with YouTube, and go swimming. I recommend Shiatsu massage to everyone; it is an interesting experience and it may help your painful aging body!

Rennie