What A Pain In The Neck...Literally!

[NavyBrat]

This week really presented a new realization for me...I'm getting too old to run a busy flower shop! Thursday night I came home about 8PM and fixed myself a simple omelette. I went to sit down to eat, and my back and neck were jolted by unbearable pain. I couldn't even sit down. You read all those signs about having heart attacks and I wondered for a moment if that could be a possibility. Of course you think, that couldn't happen to me! I make my way to the shower and turn on the pulsating action with hot, hot water. Felt better, but still in horrendous pain. Heating pad all night, toss and turn, no sleep, great pain. Friday at the shop...I have to function and not let staff think I can't operate the store. Take pain killers all day with little, but some relief. Friday night I place final flower order for Mother's Day weekend. Still in great pain all night long, but a sense of relief overcomes me that I have done the best job I could in preparing for the holiday. Saturday morning...feeling much better, but pain is still evident. Sunday...little or no pain. What a relief...my 29th Mother's Day is just a paper trail with memories.

This is the first holiday I have ever experienced severe back/neck pain from what I attribute to be great stress. I really felt the heat of the business this week with all the Proms and Mother's Day. Just wondering if anyone else has endured the same type of pain and do you think it is stress related?

I think this is a sign for me...I took the shop off the market close to a year ago, after the sale of the shop fell through at the last moment. I think it's time to go. Today I was thinking...all these long hours, organizing, planning, buying...etc. in the end after you pay all the bills...is it all worth the agony? Life's too short...I need a lifestyle change.

 

[lori042499]

This week really presented a new realization for me...I'm getting too old to run a busy flower shop! Thursday night I came home about 8PM and fixed myself a simple omelette. I went to sit down to eat, and my back and neck were jolted by unbearable pain. I couldn't even sit down. You read all those signs about having heart attacks and I wondered for a moment if that could be a possibility. Of course you think, that couldn't happen to me! I make my way to the shower and turn on the pulsating action with hot, hot water. Felt better, but still in horrendous pain. Heating pad all night, toss and turn, no sleep, great pain. Friday at the shop...I have to function and not let staff think I can't operate the store. Take pain killers all day with little, but some relief. Friday night I place final flower order for Mother's Day weekend. Still in great pain all night long, but a sense of relief overcomes me that I have done the best job I could in preparing for the holiday. Saturday morning...feeling much better, but pain is still evident. Sunday...little or no pain. What a relief...my 29th Mother's Day is just a paper trail with memories.

This is the first holiday I have ever experienced severe back/neck pain from what I attribute to be great stress. I really felt the heat of the business this week with all the Proms and Mother's Day. Just wondering if anyone else has endured the same type of pain and do you think it is stress related?

I think this is a sign for me...I took the shop off the market close to a year ago, after the sale of the shop fell through at the last moment. I think it's time to go. Today I was thinking...all these long hours, organizing, planning, buying...etc. in the end after you pay all the bills...is it all worth the agony? Life's too short...I need a lifestyle change.

This was my 22nd Mothers day, but only the 2nd as an owner. I hope that I can still do this after 30 more. I will be 66 then. I made over 400 arrangements, bought and processed all the flowers an took all phone calls by myself. My husband organized deliveries and my mom helped me clean. The only problem I am having is heel pain(heel spur, hurts even on slow days) and hand pain and numbness. Not too bad.... I feel I am much less stressed than working for someone else for right now. I hope that continues

 

[BamaE4U]

Last Mothers Day Item. . . .

went out the door Saturday evening, closed sign on the door, we are ready to go eat. . . . . .

Click,Click,Click, the sound of a key banging on the glass door. . . . .

A black helmeted/jacketed person at the front door. Thought it might be one of our friendly motorcycle cops. Nope. . .

Kathies chiropractor.
He needed a couple coursages, Kathie knocked them out and had a seat for neck adjustment. Not only a seat, but he used the wall, gave a couple theraputic hugs, and she was all set.

Needless to say, "No Charge" for the coursage work.


Lori,
Kathie has also had heel spurs corrected. A local foot doc does a simple procedure (easy for him to say) where instead of eliminating the spur (fairly major), he does a small incision and moves the tendon off the spur.

I'm really an engineer, not a doc, so take it for what its worth.

 

[Victoria]

Dianne, get thee to a chiropractor. Then, after you are no longer suffering the pain in the neck, sit down and think clearly about what you want to do with the future of your life.... then make your decision.

In the meantime, take care of you.

V

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Diane.....

you should have ME around.....Sandie says I'm a pain in the neck!!
At least you'd know what to do (not that I'd go away with a simple hot shower, or a "treatment"!!)
This was Sandie's 38th Mothers Day campaign, and OUR 23rd as owners....spring chickens we are not, BUT, there DOES come a time, when most of us reach the point, that you get SO GOOD at what you do, that you literally "forget" to take care of yourself, and actually make yourself sick!
The worry, the stress, the concern, the buildup, the big let down afterwards, all contribute to most florists health issues, because we are dedicated to serving the public, in a way that MOST retailers cannot possibly understand!!
Occasionally, a hockey,football, or baseball player stays way beyond their prime, and ruins the high that they get, from being wonderful performers, and start to doubt their abilities to contribute to "the team"
You may very well be experiencing this phenomena....many of us do, and at THAT point, you just become a robot...it's ALL you do!!
If you do NOT look forward to going to the shop, believe me, your staff will notice right away, start "slacking off" and it just puts THAT MUCH more pressure on you....you've got decisions to make!

 

[Connie]

Ah, the aches and pains in back, hip, legs, and feet. That's how I know that it has been a busy holiday. I had never thought that any of it was stress related, but that makes as much sense as the facts that I've been on my feet all day with more lifting, climbing, etc., etc. than usual. However, I'm eager to get to the shop this morning. Orders are already waiting. The sweetest parts of my staff are coming in today. I'm getting my morning dose of FlowerChat. Now if I can just get low bids on FlowerBuyer!orttopor

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

Dianne, your post reminds me of a chat I had with my best-est friend last week. We worked together for 11 years, till I bought this shop. She tried a new profession about two years ago, but wound up back at the florist after realizing how much she loved it- the customers, the work, everything.

Anyway, she said the same thing as you, almost. How as we are getting a little older, the holidays take more and more out of us. She was really feeling the pain in their M-day prep, late hours, hard physical work, prom pressures - all balanced with the giddiness that comes from working so hard with people you know so well that laughter comes easily. It all takes a toll.

I'm glad you're feeling better. Do you have a go-to person at your shop, who can relieve some of the pressures? It will make a world of difference ..... take care of you, girl!

tracy

 

[Luc]

When I came in on Friday morning with only 4 hours sleep Iwas looking to work 40+ hours straight with no sleep. During the night on Friday, I went ot the bathroom and must have twisted the wrong way and that was my start of pain for the rest of the night and day. It hurt more when I stop and sat down and restart then keep on going. WHen I went home on Sat night , I looked like a old man of 70 years old.
ANyways I do have to go for x-rays this week, when I have time for my back. Had seen the doctor last week and talked to him about pain in one of my legs.
I want a nice cozy job in a call centre......
Luc

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Had seen the doctor last week and talked to him about pain in one of my legs.
Luc

you mean you're a pain in the (up a little higher):kuddle::bootyshak

 

[Chezbloom]

When I came in on Friday morning with only 4 hours sleep Iwas looking to work 40+ hours straight with no sleep. During the night on Friday, I went ot the bathroom and must have twisted the wrong way and that was my start of pain for the rest of the night and day. It hurt more when I stop and sat down and restart then keep on going. WHen I went home on Sat night , I looked like a old man of 70 years old.
ANyways I do have to go for x-rays this week, when I have time for my back. Had seen the doctor last week and talked to him about pain in one of my legs.
I want a nice cozy job in a call centre......
Luc

How about that nice cozy call centre job on Monday when all the complaints come in? Then your brain would just hurt!

 

[Connie]

Oops! Spoke too soon in previous post! When I went to get into my van, our delivery van, I saw the flat, completely flat tire. That finally repaired, I arrived at the shop with no power, no phones. For 2+ hours. All is well now. Whew! What a beginnig!

 

[JCT]

Finally found a GRRREEEEAAATTT massage therapist after Chiropractic work took a bad turn for me. Last week I asked her if she'd trade a massage and a facial once a month for two beautiful salon bouquets. She's happy, I'm happy.
Get yourself a headset for your phone, that will make a huge difference!!

 

[Lady Biker Florist]

Our 27th Mother's Day. My mom was 56 when she bought this shop and now she is 83 and I was 23 and now I'm 50. Neal is 46 and has worked here for about six years. Since our beginning my mom had both of her knees replaced six months apart 14 years ago, I got MS almost 17 years ago and Neal got MS about 7 months ago. One of my mom's knees has a loose part in it now and needs to be replaced again so for now she gets a shot for pain every month or so and uses a cane. She is slowing down a bit, but still has more energy and stamina than my husband and I put together. My MS has never kept me from working a full week but busy times and holidays make me wonder how long I can go on doing this. I use a cane now and I just ordered one for Neal.

I think getting rid of FTD (incl. FTD.COM) and/or Teleflora was one of the best decisions we ever made because we end holiday days at normal closing time now. We used to buy all the holiday wire service containers and all the wire ins we got kept us way busier than we needed to be for such little or no real profit. The lessening of a hectic atmosphere and all those late hours is priceless.

MS is affected more than anything else by stress. Reading about all your aches and pains and stress actually made me feel good in a relational way. I feel for all of you and also the many more that didn't add to the thread.

As far as handling stress goes - I eat junk on holiday weeks and even though I know it does not really help me it sure feels like it does. We don't drink anymore as Neal and I were both heavy duty alchoholics and haven't drank now for over five years, but that addictive tendency still crops up during stress and so we both end up grazing on junk food all day. At the end of the day we wish we didn't as we feel like trash on top of already feeling like trash from the holiday stress and the MS.

We opened yesterday (Sunday) from 10-4 and had 57 walk-ins and 1 call in for delivery. We took in $1500.00 more than we would have just by opening on Mother's Day. My mom and I were hobbling around on our canes and it must have been quite comical looking. Today (Monday) we feel better than we thought we would. I went to bed at 9pm and I never go to bed before midnight so I know that must have helped a lot.

Sometimes I think like NAVYBRAT and wonder if it's time to move on to the the next chapter, but then I realize for us there are just too many positives to outweigh the negatives. NAVYBRAT, you and I are the same age. This is a great time in life to make a change if that is what you really want to do. I wish you all the best in whatever way you go!!!

 

[goodie]

All of me hurts, and our mothers day was two months ago !!!

 

[theRKF]

Here's my suggestion:

Go to the BioFlex website, click on Clinics and find your nearest clinic. BioFlex offers pain-free, non-invasive and non-toxic treatment for things like:

- back pain
- ANY muscle, tendon or ligament problem
- bone healing
- skin problems like ezcema and dermatitis
- headaches
- neck pain
- MS / fibromyalgia / rheumatoid arthritis / osteoarthritis

There is one catch:
They can't treat your belly area if you are in your first trimester of pregnancy.

My grandmother has had RA for nearly 50 years. After 6 treatments the pain was gone, and she's now holding grand-babies again!

As part of my duties in running their website, I have to process case profiles of patients who have been healed by laser therapy. (Ever seen a dermal ulcer? I may never eat pizza again!) The cure rate for such a wide range of conditions is over 90%.

Ryan

 

[MARSMF]

Aches and pains

I have suffered with Fibromyalga for the past 10+ years. In the past 2 years I have lost 125 pounds, which (among other wonderful things) has gone a long way to relieving the constant pain in my muscles, but during major holidays and high stress times it kicks in 150%. There is no relief from it, I have found getting deep muscle masages to be helpful, but the best medicine is time and removing the stress from my life. Its just something I have learned to live with and we all know how stressful our jobs can be. "Ijust love working with flowers"! Ye right
Hope you all had a profitable holiday. OUr business was up 12.5% and wire ins were down 8%. Internet sales soared upward 36%. I'm happy, tired and sore as hell!!
Marilee

 

[NavyBrat]

Thanks to everyone for good advice on this subject. I had a feeling I wasn't alone with the pain and suffering. I've heard good and bad on chiropractors, but perhaps it's time to give it a try. Thanks to all who offered this advice. I've had the spurs before, and I was going to get treatment for them...put if off...and they just went away! Strange...haven't been bothered with spurs in years. I know the pain, and sympathize with anyone dealing with spurs.
Mikey-I've been single for a long time. Thanks for letting me know that adding a husband to my life would create another big pain in the neck! You are too cute!
Tracy-I do have 2 employees who really take the pressure off-one is the delivery forewoman-she organizes all the drivers and deliveries. Never a hitch with her. She has been with me 11 years. The other is a designer who has worked for me just over 25 years-she can knock out corsages in 10 minutes flat, and made tons of them for Proms and Mother's Day. She is always there when I need her. Still, the "real" pressures of the business rest with the owner.
Ryan-Dang it! No service in my area or even close. I was gonna jump all over Bioflex. I will have to do more research. Please let me know if you have more info.
Marilee-Congratulations on losing 125 pounds! That is an incredible feat! You should be soooooo proud of yourself! I am trying to lose 50 pounds-have lost 17 in 2 months. My daughter's wedding is this November and I want to have 50 pounds off. Extra weight is a problem for lots of us and I am sure the extra lbs add stress to my life. I am on South Beach, but welcome your tips. Please PM me with your secrets!
Patty-Blessings to you and yours. You have experienced some real trials and tribulations in your life. You are a wonderful inspiration for myself and others. I admire and respect you. Rock on, girl!
Luc-Let me know when you want to go job hunting!!!

I was feeling better this morning, but then I had these two Promettes torture me! The first one was a Promette Mother who wanted the exact shade of bronze to stem wrap the white rose boutonierre for her daughter. Hated the four million choices we had, and told me she would just paint some ribbon the same color as the dress, because she was already painting her daughter's shoes! What the ??? OK...I say, bring it in by Wednesday. We charge $12.50 for a rose boutonierre-this episode made me want to charge $25.00 minimum. Oooh! My neck hurts!!! The second Promette pointed to a pic of exactly how she wanted her rose to be "unfurled" when she picked it up! Geez! Get real! Rose bouts now cost $50.00. Oooh! My aching neck!

OK...I will give it all serous thought. I truly love this business, always have. All good things must come to an end some day...and I can tell you this much...when I do walk away, I won't ever come back to retail floristry. Perhaps another segment of the industry. Will put it on the back burner for now...until I see that chiropractor and I regain my senses from the Mother's Day let down blues. Thanks, all!!!

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

T
Mikey-I've been single for a long time. Thanks for letting me know that adding a husband to my life would create another big pain in the neck! You are too cute!

maybe "borrow" one and do some "testing"..........
Heel spurs are bloody awful...
Misfigured fingers & hands from incorrectly carrying buckets are bloody awful
Neck, shoulder, and back pain from doing superhuman floristry is bloody awful
Having these reasons to go pop a pint...awwww, almost not worth it!!:beer

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

OK...I will give it all serous thought. I truly love this business, always have. All good things must come to an end some day...and I can tell you this much...when I do walk away, I won't ever come back to retail floristry. Perhaps another segment of the industry. Will put it on the back burner for now...until I see that chiropractor and I regain my senses from the Mother's Day let down blues. Thanks, all

yea right........
If you ONLY knew how many people have said that to me!!