Why the Silence
December was a wild ride for our family. There was some unexpected traveling that I (Cynthia) had to do. Flying back home the week of Christmas was not a fun experience, but I made it and so did my parents, who were also traveling. Christmas looked a bit different for us, but we were all together and that's what's important.
I have been pretty quiet over the last few months because I was feeling conflicted about a lot of things. I've been dealing with some health issues since June 2024 that affected my ability to perform certain tasks. Turns out, I have carpal tunnel syndrome in my left hand and problems with my cervical spine, which aren't all too surprising to me. I've had issues with my neck for a long time. Back in early 2018, I had to get physical therapy due to randomly hitting a nerve in my neck just the right way while getting into bed. When I started having issues again this year, I stopped playing guitar and practicing yoga, and I pushed through weddings despite the constant tingling in my left arm.
I've been sort of going through an existential crisis of sorts. I've been playing guitar since I was 13 years old and I've been a photographer for 17 years, while I've practiced yoga on and off for years because it's one of the main ways I keep my back symptoms under control. The thought of not being able to do any of these because of an issue with my neck had me feeling all sorts of confused and down. Playing guitar and photography specifically are a huge part of my life and I didn't want to lose them, but how could I continue doing them if the straps of both the guitar and camera put pressure on the problem spot in my neck?
I'm sure you can understand my frustration and confusion and why I'd keep quiet on this.
What happened and the hunt for answers
Back in June, I sneezed, but it wasn't just any sneeze. This was a monster sneeze that hit something in my back right where my left shoulder blade meets my ribcage. I thought that maybe I'd thrown something out of alignment. Normal for me, I'd been going to the chiropractor for a solid year at this point for issues with my lower back. So I went to my regular appointment and got adjusted. It didn't help and at this point, I started having issues with my left arm. It was aching and tingling and at times I would lose all feeling. I didn't know what was wrong and was afraid that I broke something.
I ended up in the emergency room for X-rays, which showed nothing. They said it was likely a sore muscle and prescribed me lidocaine patches, muscle relaxers (despite having already tried these and them not working), and a steroid shot. None of those relieved the pain and I still had no answers for why my arm was being affected. So I scheduled an appointment with my doctor. She didn't have any answers either. She said I'd need an MRI to see what was wrong, but that I'd either have to do physical therapy for six weeks first or get an EMG done for the insurance to approve an MRI. I opted for the EMG.
It was the middle of July before I finally had the EMG done, which is when I found out that I had carpal tunnel and nerve damage in my neck. They then had to schedule me for an MRI, which I couldn't get done until September because all of the medical offices are that backed up with scheduling. When I finally had that done, I received the results, but I didn't really know what they meant, so I had to go back to my doctor, but there was a new obstacle in the hunt for answers: my doctor had left the practice. The practice scheduled me with a new doctor, but you know how it goes, new patients have to wait longer. I wasn't seen until early November.
Finally, the day rolled around and I was told that I had a calcium build-up on my cervical spine that was causing a disc bulge that was putting pressure on the nerves that travel down my arm. That is why my arm tingled and lost feeling. The doctor then presented me with a solution, getting a steroid injection in my cervical spine. After nearly 6 months of no answers and no solution presented to me, I jumped on it.
My steroid injection was scheduled for the middle of December, and at the moment of writing this blog, nearly a month later, I can't say for sure whether or not it has helped. After two months off from shooting weddings and six months off from playing guitar, I had just started to feel normal again when I went in for the injection. A follow-up appointment is coming up, so I decided to pick up my guitar again and, to my delight, there wasn't any pain or tingling after playing. I'm praying that this is the answer I've been hoping for and that it's long-term.
Funny how something as simple as a sneeze could uncover an issue I didn't know I had.
How this affects Cyn davis photography Going Forward
I know some might be wondering how this is going to affect Cyn Davis Photography. Honestly, I've wondered about that myself in the last six months. I've been very uncertain about a lot of things. But I'm not ready to stop. While my mood has certainly affected my social media presence and marketing, I am starting this year determined to jump back into being present. That's my word of the year after all. So you'll see more of me and more of my work because I'm not done yet.
While the steroid injection might be a solution, I'm still trying to be proactive about maintaining my health, so some changes need to be made. What I'm doing (or have already done I should say) is resigning from being a subcontractor for another photography company. I subcontracted to have a full calendar every year, shooting 20 weddings was about average. But if I'm going to take care of myself while still doing what I love, I need to step back and evaluate whether or not that's something I can realistically do anymore. To fully devote my energy to my clients while still maintaining my health, I have to be okay with not having a full calendar of weddings. I have to stop taking on extra work just because I'm available. All that to say, my calendar is no longer at the whims of being a subcontractor. My calendar is once again devoted solely to me, my family, and Cyn Davis Photography clients.
I'm also going to take it easy on my guitar playing and make exercise a priority to help with any lingering symptoms. As time goes on, I will evaluate whether I need to lighten my load or if I can handle more. We will keep moving forward. If the time comes that moving forward means moving on from Cyn Davis Photography, it won't be giving up and it won't be a failure. It'll simply be a new chapter in our story, but we'll only turn that page if and when it comes.
For now, and as long as I am able, Cyn Davis Photography will continue to capture your fairytale moments. That said we are still taking bookings and would love to tell your story.
Thank you to everyone who continues to support me, even when I go silent. Here's to a new year and the hope that great things are in store for 2025.
