I finally made it to a baseball game! I was feeling well enough to attend and the sky was blue with tolerable humidity. But I hadn’t taken into account another important factor: My husband.

Aside from chronic back problems, he has spring and summertime allergies. The day before, he had suffered a massive sinus headache that incapacitated him. While I reminded him that it was important that we both felt well enough to enjoy the game, I admit a selfish part of me was doing a Donald Duck-style temper tantrum inside over how one event would involve so many obstacles.

Late morning, I began to feel a bit of burning pain around my ankles, which told me the humidity was increasing. That turned out to be the case. I was prepared with Neurontin (gabapentin) and cool wraps to apply on my ankles, should the symptoms worsen. I already had researched the commute (i.e., time frame, how busy, amount of walking) and stadium (route to seating, concessions, bathrooms), so I felt confident to handle most situations.

The sights and sounds were mesmerizing. As those who have been to a live concert or sporting event know, it varies from what is seen on television. The excitement was definitely a huge emotional boost for me, as well as a physical one. A beautiful day, warm weather, a breeze to mitigate the humidity — all while enjoying the sights and sounds of a baseball game with my husband — was wonderful.

It was not until about the sixth inning that my body decided to make itself known above the roar of the crowd. Even though I stretched and re-positioned in my seat throughout the game, I was still hunched over part of the time. Before the seventh-inning stretch, I realized I better get up and walk a little to relieve tight, stiff muscles. In addition, I realized it was time to take a small dose of Neurontin to prevent the onset of exhaustion and heightened pain I was prone to getting on long, active days.

To save my energy, we took the elevator and escalator when possible. On the elevator leaving the stadium, we were joined by others with noticeable physical differences: A young woman in a wheelchair, an elderly blind man walking with a cane and a man who walked with a limp. When my husband held me back to let them go out first, I realized there is a priority among the disabled as to who goes first. Still, being in that elevator, as well as noting many people with assistive devices as we left, I felt comforted. I was among others who also wanted to enjoy an outing while having to tend to their health, too.

On the ride home,  I noted certain seats had a sign above them stating they were priority seats for the elderly and disabled. I felt looked-after. Yet, interestingly enough, I would feel awkward sitting there unless I carried a banner alerting others that, yes, I am allowed; I am not taking a spot from another in need. I recall telling my husband that in a crowded train I normally would give up my seat. But feeling exhausted, I couldn’t wait to find a seat or an area to lean. I hope others wouldn’t deprive themselves of taking a seat or parking space for fear of being viewed negatively.

Naturally, the following day I slept until mid-afternoon. There were only a few residual tight and stiff muscles, but nothing that a few stretches, Aleve and more rest wouldn’t alleviate. It was all worth it to have that special baseball day.

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