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What makes the Olympics feel so personal that you end up crying on your couch for athletes you just met two weeks ago? We open up about the real reasons the Games hit the heart: the grind behind those brief highlight packages, the unglamorous math of surgeries and rehab, and the way mental health pressure can rattle even the most prepared minds. This isn’t a sports recap—it’s a look at resilience, belonging, and the quiet support that makes public courage possible.

We trace the arc from catastrophic injuries to improbable comebacks and name the part TV usually trims out: bodies heal imperfectly and still choose joy. Along the way we talk about performance anxiety, the weight of a global audience, and how social media makes every stumble feel louder. The conversation turns tender when the camera finds the families—parents, siblings, and grandparents coaching and cheering from the stands. As an only child, those scenes land with a mix of awe and ache, a reminder that not everyone grows up with a built‑in cheer squad and that we can build one later through friends, partners, and communities that clap for effort as much as outcomes.

We also share a candid life update: a new pain management team for my husband, a scheduled nerve block, and a practical plan that finally feels aligned. No gimmicks, no odd detours—just clinicians who listened, respected our goals, and offered a path forward while we keep working on strength. The throughline ties back to the Games: progress is often quiet, support is the difference, and success isn’t only a medal or a number. It’s being seen, telling the truth about what hurts, and moving anyway.

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Ever feel stuck between what absolutely has to get done and the few things you ache to do for yourself? That’s the tightrope we walk this week as I navigate my husband’s pain plan, an onslaught of rain, and a to-do list that keeps multiplying before breakfast. The theme is simple but stubborn: deciding what truly matters when caregiving, home maintenance, and your own body’s limits all demand first place.

We open with a candid update on Bill’s nerve block wearing off, the new medication that’s giving him breathing room, and the logistics behind scheduling another procedure—wheelchairs, long drives, and the kind of planning that swallows afternoons. From there, I map the daily caregiving routine: feeding and safe transfers, heavy deliveries that still need lifting, and the small nonnegotiables like cleaning the litter box that keep the household running. Rain complicates everything—tarping a leaky car, moving gear under cover, and reckoning with time you didn’t budget. Sleep, which I’ve tried to protect, gets squeezed by early-morning construction next door, so I share what fatigue really does to decision-making and how one quiet holiday morning became a much-needed reset.

There’s also the moment I nearly fainted and the unexpected comfort of a cat who refused to leave my side. Then a tough scene: finding a drowned squirrel in a rain-filled trash can, and what that says about capability, boundaries, and when to ask for help. Finally, I get honest about back pain and arthritis—why rest isn’t the fix, how movement and physical therapy matter, and why I’m pushing myself toward an MRI despite my claustrophobia. The throughline is practical: a simple triage that prioritizes safety, health, and one meaningful “want” that keeps me connected to myself.

If this sounds like your life—too many musts, too few maybes—press play, take what helps, and share it with someone who needs a little grace today. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us: what’s the one “want” you’ll protect this week?

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What do you hold on to when progress backtracks overnight? I open up about living with uncertainty after my husband’s nerve block—celebrating the good PT days, bracing for sudden flares, and learning to treat every pain-free hour like a win. This is a candid look at caregiving, the messy timelines of recovery, and the quiet work of staying hopeful when the medical maze keeps shifting.

We walk through the practical steps and emotional pivots: moving from home PT to a specialized clinic, dealing with illnesses that pushed our schedule back, and the roller coaster of “he’s standing straighter” followed by “the pain is back when he sits.” I share what doctors told us about nerve blocks, how blood thinner pauses affect timing, and why advocacy matters when you’re trying to balance conservative care with humane pain management. If you’ve ever been told “no one knows how long it lasts,” you’ll recognize the blend of patience, persistence, and careful note-taking that keeps a plan afloat.

A surprising thread in our week was the Winter Olympics. Watching athletes from around the world show up under pressure reframed our own fight for small, steady gains. It reminded me that listeners join us from every corner of the globe, each carrying their own version of resilience. We talk about gratitude without glossing over the frustration, practical ways to prepare for calls and appointments, and the mindset shift from chasing perfect days to counting meaningful moments.

If this story resonates, stick with us. Follow Only Child Diaries, share this episode with someone who needs encouragement today, and leave a review so others can find the show. Your notes and ratings help this community grow—and your stories help us all feel less alone.

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