Frustrated and Discouraged!

Usually my morning walk (preferably run) makes me feel better but not today! Today my hip (actually groin area) hurt for the entire walk and was pretty painful (like shooting pain) part of the time! I just want to be better! Shouldn’t I have healed by now? How do I make this better? I'm considering hiring a personal trainer - either the one my husband goes to or maybe I'll ask the Athletic Trainer I saw at PT if she'll help me on the side! Maybe I need more structure! Any suggestions?

OK- now that I’ve whined – I know that I have it so much better than so many really sick, injured or disabled people in the world! I give them all credit – because if I’m this Frustrated and Discouraged I can’t even image what they go through every day! Basically – I’m very lucky to have what I have and I should just quit my bitching!

Gotta Run!

Update

Well - here goes...

First the hip - I'm still walking and not running. It still hurts when I walk real fast - I guess it's getting better but very slowly. I haven't been as consistant with my exercising as I should be so maybe that's why, maybe I just heal very slowly or maybe there is something else wrong. I go back to the running Dr on Monday and I intend to ask.

Next - My shoulder - So I was at 2 Drs this week for my shoulder. The first - the shoulder specialist. He was scary - he started by talking shoulder replacement - YIKES but he toned it down once he did his exam and we talked. He said based solely on my MRI he would think I need a shoulder replacement but having spoken with me he changed his mind. He suggested the core decompression surgery (drilling the holes) but said it was completely up to me. He said I need to decide how much I want my life disrupted by this and make my desision. He also suggested that maybe the MRI was mis-labled and not really mine after all. So he kind went from one extreme to the next. He suggested I start using my arm and see what happens - he truly didn't think it would heal on its own. He ordered an MRI for 3 months from now and then I go back to see him after the MRI. He also suggested that I see my regular Dr and possibly a Hematologist. He thinks that I may have some un-diagnosed blood disorder that may cause my blood to be thick and therefore have caused the AVN. I made an appt with my regular Dr for Monday. We'll see! Oh yeah - He suggested I start taking a baby aspirin every day! I did that and will definitely ask my Dr about that on Monday!

The other Dr is the first one I saw and who made the initial diagnosis. He said that I should keep doing what I'm doing and that my shoulder will almost definitely heal itself. I go back to see him in 2 months and he expects it to be healed before I back. He also talked about the core decompression surgery option but if it heals on its own I shouldn't need it! He's a funny guy! He said he's always afraid to see me for fear of what strange problem I might have and how I might treat him - the messenger! We laughed!

So - the shoulder information is confusing and I sure hope that the non-shoulder specialist is right!

Gotta Run!

Great Weekend

What a beautiful weekend! The weather was Great and we enjoyed some wonderful outdoor activities! Sailing on Saturday - we got to watch the start of the Chicago to Mackinac race - there were some huge boats out there. The big red boat is the Coast Guard icebreaker Mackinac and is where the officials for the race watch the start. The other boating picture shows the Windy which is a commercial sightseeing boat but very picturesque.

And Sunday we SegWayed! What a blast! The picture with 4 of us is me & my husband and his parents! We had a Great time. I decided I wanted one of these - it's really Awesome to ride. Ty thought he should have one to ride while I run (whenever that happens again)!

Gotta Run - It's late - hopefully more tomorrow!

Monday

I didn't walk today but I did all my other exercises. I seem to have a little stomach bug or something and I didn't want to irritate things too much so I skipped the walk - tomorrow is another day!

Off to bed now to try and get rid of this little bug thing!

Gotta Run!

Only you...

can prevent tooth decay - that was a commercial wasn't it? That thought came to me this morning while I was out for my long fast walk (Drs orders - you know) - brain sludge! OK - I was really thinking about how I've been letting my lack of (or really slow) progress discourage me and keep me from doing my exercises and walking and of course that makes things progress even slower! I'm coming out of it though and my new thought is I'm the only one that can make this better - so get up and do it! That worked this morning - I got up early and went out for a 5 mile walk! I did my 5 miles in1 hour 13 minutes and some seconds (I don't remember exactly) - the really good part of that was all the miles were under 15 minutes/mile - fairly decent pace!

So - my commitment to myself and to all of you is that I will do my exercises and walk at least 5 days this week. I will get up early in the morning and make myself a priority! I am the only one that can make all this a memory!

I ordered a runner's ID today from RoadID.com. I got one of everything (well almost)! Anyway I couldn't decide which would be the best method for taking it with me so I got them all wrist, ankle, shoe and shoe pocket - the name plate is interchangable and the accessories are relatively inexpensive so I figured I'd just pay the shipping once! I'll let you know how my little experiment works out! I ordered one for my husband too - he's a biker - not a runner! I can't wait to get it! Last year I had the CARA one but since I'm not in a training program this year - I need an easy way to take my ID with me - just in case!

Gotta Run!

Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much

I've had such a hard week at work - long hours, much frustration, etc. Today I called my husband just so he could make me feel better. Of course that worked but my day continued and ..... Anyway - when I got home very late this evening these were waiting for me - Aren't they gorgeous!!! This only the 2nd time in our almost 21 years of marriage that he has gotten me flowers just because - I get them for our anniversary every year (one red rose for every year) but obviously not very often other than that - Oh yeah when I was in the hospital he brought me some too! Anyway - this really touch my heart so I had to share! He set it up with the sign in front it was so sweet! The sign in front of the arrangement was a gift from my Mother. She gave one to each of her children at her 80th birthday party!

So now I will go to sleep feeling loved and appreciating just how lucky I am!

Gotta Run!

Working too much!

I've been puttting in way too many hours at work! It really stinks! It's so hard to do everything and I really want to walk, walk, walk really fast and do my exercises so I can run again! And then there is getting enough sleep, eating right - oh and don't forget the stuff around the house! The key is obviously in setting priorities and then following through! I'm working on it!

And on that note - I'm going to bed!

Gotta Run!

Hip, Shoulder and more

I saw the running Dr yesterday. He is a great guy but… He thinks the pain I’m experiencing means that I am still lacking some of the necessary core strength to run without further injuring myself – so – I’m back to walking – CRAP! But – he says I should walk really fast and do lots of it – I guess it’s not all bad! It is kind of what I expected to hear! I go back to see him July 31st – so hopefully by then I’ll be able to run for real this time!

Since I was going to the Dr and he is in Orthopedics – I decided to take the MRI of my shoulder. Well – that caused a real stir! He has never in all his 20 years in medicine ever heard of anyone getting AVN from using crutches. He said he was going to check the medical journals and of course the Resident (he’s an Assistant Professor) immediately said Oh good - I can write it up! Anyway – he referred me to a (in his words) level headed shoulder specialist. He said you know there’s a lot going on in there so we want someone that really knows what they’re doing. Anyway that appt is on Monday – I was amazed they could get me in so quickly. He also ordered a whole bunch of x-rays which I had yesterday and should be available for both Drs to see.

In the meantime I’m going to walk, walk and walk some more!

Gotta Run!

Improv

Last night we went to the Improv! They have opened a new location about 3 miles from our house. The headliner last night was Jeff Dunham. If you haven't seen his work - you should! He's a comedian/ventriloquist and hysterical. We had a great time! It's great that we now have this option so close to home!

It's a rainy dreary day! It's supposed to rain all day! So - I guess it's good that I'm at work - although being at home in bed our with a good book would be nice too! I got some new books over the weekend. A couple of running books, the latest issue of Marathon and Beyond and some others. I do so love to read - especially a good book!

OK - Gotta Run!

Mom's 80th Birthday!

Last weekend my Mom turned 80! 6 of her 7 children, spouses and some grandchildren were with her to celebrate! The weekend went really well - there weren't any humm "personality clashes" - everyone was well behaved! And best of all Mom was thrilled.

I'm going to try and get a picture in here - I have a hard time finding the right buttons. If I'm successful it will be a picture of Mom and 4 of her 5 daughters. OK - it looks like I did it! Mom's in the middle (with her crown on) and I'm right next to her on the left.

On another topic - Yep it's true I got my lazy butt out of bed and went and met my running group yesterday morning - there is always a group of walkers. So - I got to see my running buddies and got a walk in and then we all went to the bagel place. It was really wonderful to be there again! This not being able to run is getting really old! Friday night my husband and I were driving home from seeing "Superman Returns" - (good movie) and we driving part of my running route and I got so sad - I had to hold back the tears! I'm ready to be running again! i guess the good part about this is that once I'm healthy again - I know I'll be back out there as soon as possible - reasonably possible! I don't want to go through any thing like this again!

OK - Gotta Run!