Simply Adult Ballet: the progress of one adult dancer who took up ballet later in life

[LinMM]

I don't understand why your doctor would not give you a scan because you were not having a problem with your back!!

people have scans if they have injured their knee or ankle!! 

I think my point about going back to the GP is precisely so you don't end up having to pay for it privately.

Already paying privately to see osteopaths and physiotherapists etc is not exactly cheap!! 

You are I think someone like myself who has used very little of NHS resources over the years ( luckily perhaps) so you should be able to get this scan on the NHS via your GP. 

[2dancersmum]

I'd echo Linda's advice about going back to your GP. If the tablets are doing nothing for you except give side effects then they might not be the best solution for you. You have been in pain so long already and they need to get to the bottom of exactly what is wrong. You shouldn't need to go privately to get treatment. Perhaps write down the exact history of this injury - when, how, what has been done/helped and take someone with you for moral support.

[Anna C]

I'm very interested to hear about that feeling of fluid running down your leg, Michelle, as that suggests neuropathic involvement - which may be why the GP suggested Amitriptyline which can be very effective for neuropathic pain at night.  I would suggest going back to the GP and telling him about this sensation because it sounds as if a scan would be sensible - even to rule out a back problem which could feasibly be giving you referred pain. 

 

Must be very frustrating for you; I do hope you get resolution and some relief soon. 

[Michelle_Richer]

Hi Anna C,  The fluid issue was documented in my first Physio's referral which my doctor has.. Although I initially stopped the Amitriptyline I did restart it, this week I have doubled the dose as per my GP's original recommendation. This week is week 8 of this injury, and its week 2 of my second Physio. On Wednesday I arrived a little early at my second Physio's reception area, I met a lady who introduced herself in casual conversation, she was "boss lady" the owner of the establishment , and of course she asked how I was getting on with my therapy. I told her I was only in week 2 with them although this week was week 8 of the injury and at the moment I don’t have a definitive diagnosis, she looked surprised. She then explained if they were not able to help by the third session they would refer me on, I wasn’t really sure what that meant.
We continued to chat about symptoms and time scales and she was convinced the source of the problem was in my back although I had no discomfort there, she said she would  have a chat with my Physio and left.

 

When my Physio arrived she seam to concentrate on my back and releasing it but I didn’t notice any real difference, one thing she did do was to look at the range of movement between the two legs and she noted I cant fully straiten the right. She then proceeded  to stretch my abductors by taking the leg behind, a bit like an arabesque, however they did my good leg first as that basically set the range of movement to expect, what was a bit odd, I was not allowed to assist them, I had to keep the muscles relaxed. The range of the right was somewhat less than the left so they worked it to increase it, which to some extent it did. I left there more or less in the same state as I arrive. However the next day (Thursday)I could hardly walk as both thighs were extremely sore, most of that has disappear the next day.

While I was with my Physio I did raise the issue of an MRI Scan, she advised against it as it couldn’t guarantee to show something and if it did it would it most probably require surgical intervention and trying to find a surgeon that would do it under the NHS was unlikely due to my age, that was a bit of a shock. However I did feel she would if requested write me a referral.

During the conversation I was asked if I knew any Royal Ballet Physios, which make me somewhat worried with their policy if they are not able to help by the third session they will refer me on. Also my next and third session is placed two weeks away instead of one, does this mean after that they will cease to have anything to do with me and I will effectively leave me on my own.
My impression at the moment is my condition is still slowly getting worse with no end is in sight

 

[TYR]

A thought: maybe you could ask them if they know anyone who works with dancers?

[LinMM]

I'm not sure how your physio would know for sure that you would need surgery if something showed up on a scan as to be frank she still hasn't given you a diagnosis! I know some things are hard to diagnose but then she should be making such speculation in my view.

Also am not sure about the NHS mot operating on older people per se.

If you need a new hip for example because of the pain you are in people are operated on mu ch older than yourself!!

Well it isn't a new hip you need of course but if you have some condition which is causing you a lot of pain and a doctor could see that an operation could relieve it I'm sure they would operate. My father had operations on the cartilages in his knees  (old football injury) when he was in his early seventies on the NHS. 

Why are they giving up so soon? Is it because of the lack of diagnosis? I was going for months to my physio when I injured my Achilles that time. 

They might be thinking of referring you on to a consultant of some sort but they would probably need you to have a scan anyway.

Perhaps it would be an idea to find a dance specialist physio though probably costly.

Just one thing Michelle....are you following your physio's advice about resting it for a while!! If it needs a rest it will take longer to get better if you don't give it the rest it needs!

[proballetdancer]

I haven't posted in a very long time, but felt this is serious. It sounds as if you've done some form of disc damage or damage to the arachnoid membrane when you jumped down from the wall. They symptoms, especially the running water are consistent, ditto the pain in the legs, numbness tiredness, etc These injuries don't feel like back injuries as the majority of the pain is elsewhere but most definitely are.

 

A physio is going to be of no help at this point, you absolutely must go back to your GP asap for a referral, or check yourself into A&E, tell them the cause of your injury, jumping and landing badly, a full list of your symptoms, absolutely the running water is a massive red flag, whoever said it sounded neuropathological is right.

 

I'm astonished a physio is telling you not to seek medical help and that in the event of spine or disc damage they wouldn't operate on you. This woman is an idiot. Indeed if it is disc or arachnoid related manipulation is going to inflame the damaged area.

 

This cannot be put off, you absolutely must seek the best medical help available asap, it will only get worse. Please I would ask you to got to your A&E give them the full history, the full range of symptoms and be blunt about the severity of your pain. 

[Nicola H]

23 minutes ago, proballetdancer said:

 

This cannot be put off, you absolutely must seek the best medical help available asap, it will only get worse. Please I would ask you to got to your A&E give them the full history, the full range of symptoms and be blunt about the severity of your pain. 

 There is NO indication to  go to A+E ,  where is the  emergency, red flag symptom/ sign or  accident within the last  72  hours to a Week at the very most ?

Declared interest former A+E band 6 Nurse 

 The appropriate course of action is to attend the GP and request  a referral to an appropriate hospital  service , if necessary on a named consultant basis .

attending A+E will just waste Michelle's time  anyone who goes with her and the time of clinicians in A+E . the Emergency Daprtment is NOT a  short cut to consultants

Edited November 12, 2017 by Nicola H

[Anna C]

GPs in our trust can do a direct referral for a lumbar spinal MRI.  Although I strongly suspect neuropathic involvement, and possible disc involvement, Michelle does not at present seem to be displaying signs of Cauda Equina, which would of course warrant immediate attendance at A&E.  Michelle, I would advise reading about this as obviously we cannot see you or know precisely which symptoms you're suffering.  If you are displaying symptoms of CA then you should of course go to A&E.

 

Disc involvement does not usually involve surgery these days; if a scan shows a disc bulge then rest from dance, Pilates, hydrotherapy and gentle physio would be the first things to try.  If there is no improvement at all after 6 weeks of a supervised regime, then it MIGHT be beneficial to have an injection of local anaesthetic and steroid into the surrounding area, to relieve the inflammation and stop the injured disc impinging on any nearby nerves.   

 

The inability to straighten your leg sounds interesting - which position were you in at the time? 

 

I think your first port of call must be your GP.  I would simply tell him that your Physio suspects lumbar disc involvement and has suggested an MRI as you are showing signs of neuropathy so are worried that a disc is impinging on a nerve.  I have no idea why the Physio would think a scan isn't necessary because until you have a clear diagnosis via MRI, then none of you know precisely what you're dealing with and how best to treat it.  The Physio does sound rather too willing to manipulate the area which IMHO should not be done so vigorously until you have a diagnosis. 

 

Best of luck. 

[Anna C]

Here's some info on Cauda Equina, and which symptoms are "Red Flags":  https://www.spine-health.com/conditions/lower-back-pain/cauda-equina-syndrome

 

[Anna C]

A post in this thread has been hidden while Moderators discuss.

[Michelle_Richer]

Hi TYR 

I originally found this Physio establishment by searching  a dance Physio register website  from this forum several years ago and the local establishment I found did indicate "Working with dancers", to be fair I have used them twice before successfully.

Hi LinMM

I think the reason Physio No 2 has tried to persuade me at this stage not to push for an MRI scan, she is unsure about the diagnosis, which is in line with Physio No 1 findings, he was reluctant to write a referral for my GP and said the condition could well clear up by itself in a couple of weeks. Both Physios to a large extent are asking the same questions and running the same test. Physio No 1 suggested the scan option when I pressed him for a diagnosis and possible closure.

 

Hi Proballetdancer:

Firstly I have no confidence in my GP what so ever,  however I will go back to him when I have completed 2 weeks on double dose of  Amitriptyline and a referral from my current physio.

Secondly on my last visit to A & E, they were given the full history at that time, addmittedly I though a broken leg was very probable also Physio No admitted it was a possibility. At least on that occasion I did get X-rayed.

 

Hi Nicola H

I attended both a Minor Injuries Unit and an A & E within 2 to 3 weeks of the injury, not only was I in agony, drained as I was not able to sleep, but many of my friend had remarked, are you sure you haven't broken it. For me that made a certain amount of sense, plus my physio although he thought it was unlikely he wouldn't discount it.

My first visit was to a minor injuries unit, just with a few questions, although it was obvious I was in a great deal of pain hobbling in with a walking stick and assistance from my boyfriend, I was told to keep taking the pain killers and refused an X-Ray.
Later that week I couldn't stand it any Longer, my boyfriend said Im taking you to A & E in Boston. They were told of the history behind the injury and no messing, they examined me and conducted a series of x-rays, the down side was, as they moved me through different angles I was crying out in agony, it really hurt, however the x-rays were negative, I suppose that should give me some form of comfort, but on the other side I did take my brother in law to the same department which resulted in an ex-ray after a fall, that was mi-dianosed a brewsing, only to be admitted a week later for a second x-ray that confirmed a broken hip.

 

Hi Anna C

I read the article on CE, I too would agree my symptoms are not in line with Cauda Equina, one of the tests I have been asked to do with both Physio's "The Slump Test" which if positive  reproduces pain as tension is applied to the dura during testing, there are various levels for this, for me the full Slump Test for both legs remains negative, which I guess shows no detectable impingment. That is done with 5 reps each leg 3 times a day.

The leg straightening thing, is Im laid on my back, left leg strait out along the couch, the right upper leg (thigh section) supported with both hands just above the knee, with lower leg bent, straiten it and flex the foot, repeat from lower leg bent 10 times. For me since the injury the Right leg has lost alot of strength and I dont now have the power to fully straiten it, its not far out but my Physio has set that excersise to help strengthen it. However where I do notice it, is with Grand Plie's, I simply dont have the power to rise up from a Grand Plie, which feels odd now as it was never a problem in the past.

Just one little piece of correction, Physio 1 was very keen on deep muscle massage and manipulation, Physio 2 seems more concerned about finding the cause although there is a clear focus on my back.

 

My own observation is that this condition is not improving and especially the unpleasant fluid sensation which is getting more common, I really cant remember what it was like to have a full nights sleep, as we are now entering week 9 since the injury.

[TYR]

Michelle, I thought their remark about knowing any physio who worked with RB might have been a "tell".

 

More to the point, I'd agree with the rest that you should get the imaging done. Get the facts. GPs are usually awful anyway - tell'em what you want and insist.

[LinMM]

Absolutely agree TYR!

its very unfortunate but these days you do have to INSIST ....but based on trusting in your own knowledge of your own body! 

I learned this lesson rather late in Life when dealing with my mum suffering from Cancer. 

There were occasions when I trusted my mum more than some doctors!! 

im not trying to put doctors down .....they do the best job they can in the circumstances I am sure.

However you know your body especially in advanced years better than most of the doctors you may see. 

Thankyou for your post Proballetdancer ....sorry no longer says the post numbers .....but  I do know Michelle very well and am concerned how her injury is being handled at the moment any way!

The only thing is that although Michelle is very strong usually she does find it hard to totally relax and stop ANY form of exercise!! 

This may annoy some  physios ......if they feel their advice is not being adhered to!  

However if I couldn't make a diagnosis I would want to find someone who could help me ....to advance my own knowledge if nothing else.

I certainly don't agree with the idea that a scan would not be helpful.

it may show a condition which needs operating on but on the other hand it may not!! 

It may not pick up anything!! 

But peace of mind for Michelle who I know is in considerable pain is paramount at this point I feel.

 

 

 

 

[proballetdancer]

The symptoms Michelle describes I've seen firsthand many times, mainly in male dancers whose spines take a great deal of stress from lifting and landing. The fact Michelle said this occurred after jumping off a wall and landing set alarm bells ringing. That the pain increases after sitting is also a worry, disc or arachnoid, the mere act of sitting places huge stress on these injuries.

 

I appreciate that this new GP sounds a nightmare, not least that he reached for the prescription pad and dismissed you, but please don't wait another two weeks in agony, albeit medicated. I really would urge you to go back to your GP asap and put the screws on. It's your back, your pain and your health.

[LinMM]

Yes Michelle has often said in the last few weeks that it seems to be worse after driving which is of course sitting in a car. 

 

It it is very unfortunate in her case that just as she really needed her GP he retired ...so she has a GP who does not know her very well...though of course the new doctors have your notes etc...its not quite the same.

I can particularly sympathise with this as they have recently closed down my own local surgery completely!! So currently have no doctor.

It is so daunting having to start with a new GP all over again.....which I think is becoming more of a common occurrence in the UK just at mo.

When my mum had Cancer she particularly didn't like one of the doctors. When we arrived at the hospital one day she saw she was on his caseload ( though not HER doctor) She got very upset( unlike her) so I went to the Reception and said my mum wanted to see Dr.X ( not DrY) They said okay but she may have to wait ALL morning if that was the case ...I said okay we will do that!!

In fact she saw the doctor she wanted within half an hour! I had to insist .....difficult for me at the time but not now...but mum was happy and when someone is dying why do they have to be unhappy as well.

im only recounting all this because sometimes you have to fight for what will server your best interests. Your last sentence is just so apt Proballetdancer.

 

 

[Michelle_Richer]

13 hours ago, proballetdancer said:

The symptoms Michelle describes I've seen firsthand many times, mainly in male dancers whose spines take a great deal of stress from lifting and landing. The fact Michelle said this occurred after jumping off a wall and landing set alarm bells ringing. That the pain increases after sitting is also a worry, disc or arachnoid, the mere act of sitting places huge stress on these injuries.

.

Hi Proballetdancer
Having looked at the symptoms of Arachnoiditis you certainly have my attention, as this appeared to be common in male dancers as you say with Lifting and Landing.
Do tell me what was the treatment options, recovery time and outcome?
 

Edited November 13, 2017 by Michelle_Richer

[proballetdancer]

Hi Michelle,

 

I really can't answer that question properly, I'm not a doctor. When I read your description of your symptoms, it was a lightbulb moment, having heard those symptoms being described and seen the effects firsthand - but I don't know 100% that it's that and so it would be highly inappropriate of me to give you advice on an undiagnosed condition, not least because I don't have the knowledge.

 

What I do know is that it is essential for you to get proper medical help and attention asap. I do sympathise with you, having a doctor who you don't know, who sounds a right arse and dismissed you with a prescription is horrible for self confidence and makes you feel very vulnerable, at a time when you feel vulnerable enough as it is being in agony.

 

I do know that an injury that isn't getting any better on its own after 9 weeks is serious. Also it does sound as if your physio is aware of this, she did minor manipulation and then bizarrely told you to come back and even worse told you a doctor would refuse to operate. Utter nonsense. With an injury of this sort you do physio after treatment to build up the strength and flexibility again, never on top of an untreated injury, especially the hugely vulnerable lower back.

 

Please, go back to the GP clinic, if they won't let you see another doctor, gird you loins and go in and fight for the medical treatment you deserve. 

[Nicola H]

a general practitioner who refuses a  referral  is  heading one place and one place only , the MPTS.  the problem is people are far too quick to defend the malpractice of  Medicla practitioners  while  allowing and contributing tothe culture of other Health Professionals being thrown under the bus. 

[Michelle_Richer]

Hi Proballetdancer

Fron your statement "The symptoms Michelle describes I've seen firsthand many times, mainly in male dancers",That leaves me to beleive you have quite close contact with these dancers, perhaps members of the same company.

Im a member of a Amateur ballet company and have been a member for a number of years, to some extent its almost like a family and as such our relationships are quite close, so where injuries etc are concerned it tends to be common knowledge almost like supporting and sharing of problems.

The reason I asked is more about what you observed about recovery of your male dancers, in otherwords WAS THERE.

 

As this is what is said about treatment options: "There is no cure for arachnoiditis. Treatment options for arachnoiditis are similar to those for other chronic pain conditions. Most treatments focus on relieving pain and improving symptoms that impair daily activities. Often, health care professionals recommend a program of pain management, physiotherapy, exercise, and psychotherapy. Surgery for arachnoiditis is controversial, because outcomes can be poor and provide only short-term relief. Clinical trials of steroid injections and electrical stimulation are needed to determine whether those treatments are effective"

 

As for my doctors, they are in a small country practice of about 4 of them, I don't suppose they see many ballet dancers or ladies like me that make it a habit of jumping off walls. I will review the situation on my next Physio visit,  but I have located a Specialist Dance Physio with one of the major professional Ballet Companies who I have access to.

[proballetdancer]

Michelle

There is absolutely no way anyone can diagnose an injury from an internet message board, certainly not treat it. The water running down the leg sensation, yes, it is a symptom of damage to the arachnoid, but also disc damage, a whole load of neurological issues - which is why it is essential to get proper qualified medical help as soon as possible.

 

How the injury occurred is immaterial, jumping off a wall, car accident etc but doctors are accustomed to seeing a whole host of injuries, illnesses over the course of their professional careers.

 

Neither you nor I know that this is arachnoid related. Until you have a diagnosis it is essential that the injury is put under the least amount of stress, which means no pressure on the area, avoiding sitting for long periods of time and also physio which may do more damage than good, since no one knows what exactly they're manipulating. They may do more longterm damage than good. Also for this reason it's not beneficial to talk about dancers I know who've suffered from this complaint as we don't know you're injury is arachnoid related.

 

I will repeat an injury that is not healing or getting better after nine weeks is serious. The body wants to heal, whatever is wrong needs referral and diagnosis and then a full treatment plan with neurologist, whether it be surgical, physio etc It needs professional medical care.

 

I'm going to bow out from the boards again and won't be responding. I've said all that needs to be said. Please, one final time, seek referral from your GP and get this diagnosed asap.

 

 

 

[Michelle_Richer]

Thank you and farewell my friend

 

[balletgremlin]

What is it about performing on stage that makes all your technique and ability to turn go out the window?

 

I love the audience, love dancing with my friends and being able to show off what we've been working on but I've yet to do a dance without thinking I'm so much better in rehearsals. On the plus side, dancing in matching costumes makes us look all professional even when we're not.

[Michelle_Richer]

On ‎20‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 14:50, balletgremlin said:

What is it about performing on stage that makes all your technique and ability to turn go out the window?

 

I love the audience, love dancing with my friends and being able to show off what we've been working on but I've yet to do a dance without thinking I'm so much better in rehearsals. On the plus side, dancing in matching costumes makes us look all professional even when we're not.

 

An interesting question balletgremlin.

I think that raises other questions too, when you are performing is that at a different venue to where you have danced at your practice rehearsals?

I certainly find it a common experience that when we perform during the matinee, the later evening performance is generally better.

 

I guess that’s down to familiarity and comfort with one surroundings, I certainly experience this with our company as we often have to move studios for rehearsals, not sure if that due to directional orientation or just different geometry of the room.

As for our company we probably move rehearsal studio 2 or 3 times during a term, and probably up to 2 different studios for dress rehearsals as these are at weekends. Performance day on stage we will usually start with a tech run to set cast positioning, lighting and sound which allows some reorientation of the environment, especially if the stage is smaller than our practice studio. That will be followed by a un-costumed practice run, then full dress run. Even so I think the presents of the audience always add something to the atmosphere, especially the nature of the applause.

 

I do remember a couple of rather funny incidents with problems of reorientation.
The first was a rep workshop held on Leeds Grand Theatre stage, we were going through a warm up, a bit like centre practice, where we were to use our own initiative to use turns of our choice across the stage from upstage left to downstage right. Well me trying to show off, I did a series of pose turns across the stage (easy peezy), tried to end them with a leg swapping pirouette into a full down curtsy (something I had taken strait out of Giselle solo Act1) , except I hadn’t ever danced that particularly pirouette with the steep rake Leeds Grand Theatre has, I lost my balance and nearly ended up in the orchestra pit, very embarrassing , oops.

 

The other instant is where I was performing on the same day at two different venues with two different ballets, the first was at matinee only, the other was the evening performance. Needless to say the second, there was no reorientation with any form of rehearsal on that stage, even worse I went on stage in darkness and our small group left in cannon, I was the first off and couldn’t see the wings, so I travelled a bit of a curved path until I could see something, I wont be doing that again.

 

Although those instanced were very memorable and a bit of a boo boo, I can honestly say I really enjoyed them, I would rather be there and perform badly,  than where I am at the moment, grounded and not knowing where the end is, as next weekend would have been my next performance.

Sadly I will be a member of the audience this time, but on the positive side I’ve still been a petty active member of the company as a production organiser this time, just another hat I wear., but love it.

Edited November 25, 2017 by Michelle_Richer

[balletgremlin]

Michelle, I agree. I think part of the problem is dancing somewhere different. We always rehearse in dance studios so we generally only have the dress rehearsal (and possibly a tech rehearsal) to practice on the stage. I'd like to blame the floor for my dreadful turns but I think I'm too busy enjoying the moment and letting myself dance on auto pilot (or counting down the time until I never have to listen to the particular song we're dancing to again) that I forget to think about my surroundings and what my body is doing.

 

The show definitely went better than the dress rehearsal. I think it's compulsory someone ends up dancing into the wings or the curtain and then to avoid that for the real thing the spacing gets messed up or I'm so busy concentrating on not going off stage and that I'm not overcompensating so that I'm then dancing in someone else's space.

[LinMM]

In our summer performance last year all went well at the matinee but in the evening as I was running off I seemed to have moved upstage a little and the lights which were not a prob in the afternoon completely blinded me so somehow I didn't make the gap in the curtain so after making the most of the run off I then had the embarrassing moments grappling with the curtain and not being able to find the gap to get off stage!! It was probably only a few seconds or so but felt like an age!!

[BalletRocks1]

I'm lucky enough to be able to do classes and shows in the same building, and we get a rehearsal on stage usually the week of or the week before the show, as well as on show day - we get a chance to work on spacing and whatnot but it's not without issue!! 

 

A few years ago I was in two pieces back to back in our evening classes show and had to do a "pretend"  walk off as the lights dimmed and the second group came onto the stage in darkness. I basically had to walk towards the wing and then circle around to my starting position for the next piece - but of course I went walking right into one of the others coming on for the second piece! Nearly knocked the two of us over (thankfully it was just a bump and some whispered apologies and the performance went well 🙂) 

[Michelle_Richer]

On ‎26‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 20:00, LinMM said:

In our summer performance last year all went well at the matinee but in the evening as I was running off I seemed to have moved upstage a little and the lights which were not a prob in the afternoon completely blinded me so somehow I didn't make the gap in the curtain so after making the most of the run off I then had the embarrassing moments grappling with the curtain and not being able to find the gap to get off stage!! It was probably only a few seconds or so but felt like an age!!

 

I remember a similar incident with a wings curtain. We had just finished performing our piece from Don Q on stage in Saint Petersburg, I was the most up stage left dancer, so I went first into the upstage wing and through the wing curtain next to the wall to find the door off stage, I turned round and no one was following me, at the door I could clearly see the front of the stage and most of our dancers were still in place, together with two Russian lady officials. The ladies had come on stage to present each dancer with a certificate, this we hadn’t rehearsed. Whoops, really embarrassing, I had to tippy toe back to my spot on stage for the presentation.
 

On ‎27‎/‎11‎/‎2017 at 19:29, BalletRocks1 said:

I'm lucky enough to be able to do classes and shows in the same building, and we get a rehearsal on stage usually the week of or the week before the show, as well as on show day - we get a chance to work on spacing and whatnot but it's not without issue!!  

 

 I assume you are taking about your DanceHouse Theatre in Manchester, If so when I first started to perform I had something similar but on a much smaller scale.

It was the Angles Theatre in Wisbech Cambridgeshire, it boasted as being the second oldest theatre in England and it dated from the late seventeen hundreds, so it had quite a character.

It was similar to the Dancehouse as it had the studio in the roof space of the theatre and the studio has an archway type of roof too.

We used to have the opportunity to dance on the Theatres stage a time or two before the show but these would not be in costume. The true Costume rehearsal would take place the Sunday before show week, but it was as much a tech run as everything else as most of the school was performing in this show and Adult Ballet only had a small part. However we were to perform the show all week except Thursday, but had two shows on Saturday.

One would think, the more times you repeat the show, the easier it becomes, but in reality I think a little bit of complacency may drop in and you loose concentration for a moment, then your faced with “Oh god what do I do next”, its happened to me and I’ve see it happen to others.

 

 

 

I think one of the best challenges that are quite fun is costume changes, for our group that doesn't happen very often as its normally timed with the interval, but I do remember and LinMM will remember too when we were performing in the tiny Chelsea Theatre our performance was originally taken from the Four Seasons, but I cant recall what we called it, but in there we had changes for all four seasons and only two minute per change, that was only just possible but real fun too.

[Michelle_Richer]

Just a quick injury update:

 

Following my Physio No 2 referral to Mr GP, that is GP No 2. Unfortunately my Physio's letter was sent out late my Doctor No 2 to get it before I arrived, as I had organised the appointment in good faith on the strength of what my Physio had said. However it didn't make any real difference, as I has an emailed copy with me, together with a previous referral and my own documented history of the incident too. Thank goodness, no messing after my Doctor see them, he has arranged a referral for me to see a visiting orthopaedic specialist at my local hospital on the 13th od December. I'm still just a little bit reluctant to shout whoopee just yet, I just hope something meaningful comes of it, as that will make it 13 weeks since the injury. I'm still carrying the possibility of the Physio at Northern Ballet in my back pocket as a contingency.

 

I really do need to resume ballet again, in the meantime I have lost quite a lot of strength in my right leg, I'm sure its going to take a while to rebuild that.

I'm also mindful as to what to put in the 2017/18 plan for our annual one two one intensive at Ballet West. As it is Adrian bless him will have forgotten most of the PDD work we did before my injury, so we are really starting again, and I guess I will have to be less ambitious until my body fully recovers.
 

[Fiz]

Wishing you the best of luck, Michelle. I’m not dancing either at the moment. My allergies and intolerances kicked off really badly a couple of years ago and although I am much better now, I just don’t have the spare energy. I get tired much more easily and I can no longer run on empty. 

[Michelle_Richer]

Thank you Fiz that's very thoughtful, I know how you feel with no energy, I havent slept properly for the 11 weeks of this injury, although I'm not sleeping when I should I'm left drained and tired during the day.  I know one of the prescriptions I have been given was to help me sleep, however it doesn't, but one of the side effect makes me extremely lethargic.

I know there is a lot of rep I want to document while I have the opportunity, but I cant seam to raise enough enthusiasm to get started, and that definitely is not me. In any case as those tablets are totally  ineffective in allowing me to sleep, so I'm weening myself off them now.

Psychologically was also a bit of a wrench at the weekend, it was my ballet companies performance and seeing all my friends perform, at least I was videoing the show for our company, so I guess I was doing something useful, but it certainly didnt feel any where near rewarding as dancing.

At least at the end of the show during the presentations, one of our dancers came down and took me by the hand on stage, and my lovely friend LinMM did the presentation with a card and chocks from everyone, at least I still felt that bond of belonging. Its just been awful being away so long, even though I have been working for the company in the background.

I dont know what it is about dancing ballet, but for me it goes really deep and is so special.

 

I'm just hoping now something positive comes from the orthopaedic specialist I'm seeing next week, fingers crossed.

 

Fiz I hope you pick up your new lease of life soon with boundless amounts of energy and get back to the wonderful world of ballet, you take care and God bless x

[Fiz]

That’s very kind of you, Michelle. I don’t think it will happen now. I’m so sorry you are having such a miserable time. Sleep is so important. Fingers and everything else crossed for you for next week.

[Fiz]

Someone has alerted me to the fact that there is a new magazine out in the U.K. called Adult Ballet.