Guess What?

Guess what y'all? MY LEG/HIP IS BETTER! Like really, really better! Maybe it's because it's been 9 weeks since I injured it. Maybe it's because I've been resting and doing the home program that my physical therapist gave to me. Maybe it's because my PT finally hit upon something that seemed to be working (ultrasound therapy, massage, stretching, and manipulation). Or maybe it's a combination of all of those things. I just know that for almost a week I've been able to walk (mostly) pain-free and with only the slightest limp.

Last week I was super discouraged after one of my appointments because what we'd tried up until that point had not shown much promise. She wanted to send me for further diagnostic testing and we both agreed to give it one more session before she wrote that recommendation to my doc. I can't tell you how grateful I was when I walked in later last week and told her that I was feeling SIGNIFICANTLY better. So much so that she dropped the further diagnostic testing talk. Yesterday she told me that maybe a couple more sessions and she can release me.  I am so thankful!

I still can't hike though which is killing me because we're camping this weekend at a place very close to one of my favorite hikes in the entire state of Colorado. I thought that maybe I could hike part of the way up to the summit (the very flat part) and perch myself on a rock in the water and wait for everyone else to return with their ooohs and ahhhs (and photos). I mentioned my plan to John yesterday and he said: "Absolutely not." He has allies in my therapist and the two friends whose families are camping with us. One friend told me she would "strongly discipline" me if I'm not careful this weekend. I definitely don't want any setbacks (or strong discipline) so I promised to be on my best behavior.

I am so happy and thankful that this injury might possibly be behind me soon. I'm seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel! And there is much rejoicing!!!

|||||||

Switching gears...

Just a few links I wanted to share with you.

Do you know what Groupon is? Is there one in your area? I missed out on some fantastic deals when I was computerless in California, but I scored a GREAT one last week. $5 for $10 worth of ice cream at Josh and John's. Check it out! I sorta think Groupon is only active in mid-to-large-sized cities though. In fact, it just got going in Colorado Springs back in early May. 

I wanted to try this recipe for finger paint the other day when Abbey had a friend over, but realized (too late) that I didn't have any cornstarch. Probably from all that gravy I make. Ha! Next week, I'm watching my friend's girls so I think I'll try it with them. Outside. 

The week that Will and Sarah were at camp, Abbey and I tried making "The Foamerator". It was cool until she took a big breath (to blow a really long foam snake) and she sucked in a mouthful of soap. She was finished after that and that's why I don't have any photos to share with you, but it was a really fun and simple activity! We're going to do it again with our neighborhood friends at our 4th of July block party! And that reminds me that I need to make a big batch of bubble juice too! 

A lotta schtuff

A lotta totally useless, random stuff.

Is "lotta" even a word? If you were a member of SBC Arkadelphia in, say October 2002, you might be grinning right now. Becky? Are you laughing with me?

Why can't I sleep past 5:30am lately? Why oh why oh why? At least I get lots of stuff accomplished while my kids are still sleeping.

They're on a late-late schedule. Sleeping late in the mornings and staying up way too late at night. I like the sleeping in part, but I'd prefer an earlier bedtime. Mainly so I can have control of the television remote. One can only take so much iCarly and Wizards of Waverly Place.

Is anyone else intrigued by all the college football conference shake-ups? I find it soooooooo interesting. Speaking of college football conferences, does anyone else remember this picture of the old Southwest Conference from back in the day? I think the A&M Aggie and the TCU Horned Frog are hysterical.

My girls spent EIGHT hours cleaning their room yesterday. EIGHT hours. It was a huge mess and I told them that I was not doing it for them this time. So they spent the majority of the day in their room coming up with reasons why the task was overwhelming for them. When they finally got serious about getting it done, it took them 35 minutes. The motivator? A trip to Coldstone for ice cream. Clearly, I'm not above bribery.

I thought I had a buy one get one free coupon for Coldstone but by the time I realized that I didn't, it was too late. There was no convincing them that a one dollar cone from McDonald's was just as good. At the exact moment the Coldstone cashier was swiping my debit card, I looked over at (nameless child) who was trying hard to hold back tears as they picked up the pieces of their red-velvet-cake-with-rainbow-sprinkles-in-a-waffle-bowl off of the floor. I bit my tongue and did what any good mom would do. I bought (nameless child) another one. That ended up being one very expensive ice cream outing. And would you believe (nameless child) dropped it again inside the back door when we got home? Drama.

Switching gears.

Sarah's one regret about camp last week was that she didn't buy this bible from the camp store. I'll refrain from giving you a list of all the thing she did buy. She has several Bibles, but evidently this is the cool one to have. Since it was only $3.50 and since she's been reading and journaling every night before bed, I ordered one for her. 

Me: Will, do you want one of these bibles too?

Will: No, mom. I already have a bible.

Me: I know, I just thought you might want one like this. It's an NIV. What translation is yours?

Will: (exasperated) I don't know, Mom. It's THE HOLY BIBLE!!! Isn't that all that matters? 

Cracked me up. 

My physical therapist is sending a report to my doctor suggesting she refer me to an orthopedist for further diagnostic testing. Turns out I might not have tendinitis after all, but possibly something more serious. UGH. I'm still sad and mad and disappointed by this injury. And I still can't walk without pain. 

I really, really want to paint my bedroom this week. And make a shower curtain for my bathroom. I don't know if any of that will happen or not but it's on my mental "fun" list. 

I think I've decided to go with tile in my kitchen. I had talked myself into a mid-to-high end wood laminate but after seeing all the smudges on the samples I had in my kitchen I decided my obsessive cleaning disorder wouldn't be able to live with that. I also need something that can handle the wet snow that gets tracked in for seven months out of the year. Yes, it will be cold (all the more reason to get some UGG slippers) and yes, I'll have to be careful about dropping things on it but I think it's the most practical choice for us. Now I'm just waiting on our friend (who specializes in tile flooring) to come give me an estimate. 

See? I told you. A whole lotta totally useless, random schtuff. I think I'll go eat some breakfast. And get a shower. And enjoy another summer day. We're going to see The Karate Kid with some friends later. Can't wait!

Miscellaneous Stuff

Happy Friday to you. I had to think for a minute about what day it was. We're on a lazy, summer schedule and I haven't been keeping track of my days very well. That makes me happy! Lists make me happy too, so I'm going with that format today.

1. I love, love, LOVE summer.

2. I'm sad for those of you who are still in school. Hang in there. Your day is coming. And hopefully it will be here sooner rather than later.

3. A lot of you have asked about my leg. It's about the same, though I have noticed significant improvement when I stay off of it. It's practically impossible to stay completely off of it, but it's entirely possible to sit for long stretches and I've been much better about that this week. Physical therapy is helping some too. I went Wednesday and she had me walk backwards on the treadmill (less pain that way) and let's just say that was interesting. I like to think I'm coordinated, but that was the weirdest feeling. I had to walk pretty slow but was thankful for a bit of cardio.

4. I took my kids swimsuit shopping the other day. Will is easy to shop for, but finding swimsuits for the girls definitely isn't high on the list of things I enjoy. I think it's hard to find modest swimsuits for girls (especially tweens) but they each found one within a few minutes of walking into the first place we stopped. I was so thankful!

5. Thanks for helping me with my "research" and giving me your input on flooring. Our kitchen is very small, so whatever we end up choosing will likely not cost a fortune. It's also likely that we're staying in this house for a while longer so I want to choose something I like/want rather than settling for something that's cheap/functional. All that to say that we're still thinking this one through.

6. Have I mentioned that I love summer?

7. I have put my kids to work this week. Sarah is handling all the laundry (thanks, Mimi!) and Will has relieved John of his dishwasher-unloading duty. Will also helped me load/unload groceries yesterday. I just need to teach someone to mop the floor and I'll be set.

8. The landscape guy started on our backyard yesterday afternoon. I cannot wait to see what kind of magic he works back there. I'll share pics of the transformation!

9. Will and Sarah leave for camp on Monday. Abbey brought me a list the other night of things she wants to do as an only child. Her list includes: a trip to the American Girl store, a movie, lunch at Noodles&Co, a sleepover and being lazy at home with me. I think we can manage most of that.

10. Otter Pops. We must find some today. Two stores were out yesterday, and I don't buy generic Otter Pops. Summer just isn't summer without them.

Peace out, peeps.

A venti-sized vent

I feel like I need to vent this morning. Lucky you. Feel free to stop reading now. I won't be offended. I just need to give voice to the thoughts in my head. Saying them out loud (or on the blog) somehow validates them for me. So here goes.

I injured my leg. In fact, my entire leg/hip region is injured. I can't walk without pain and I've limped around for so long that my weird gait is causing other issues in my back and knee. 

John and I are leaving for our big anniversary trip this week--the one we've been planning and looking forward to for a long time. It's going to take all I've got just to walk around each day. And hiking is out of the question. It is incredibly irritating and I feel so foolish for allowing this injury. 

I was logging many miles each week when my injury happened (hiking, walking, jogging) but I wasn't overdoing it. I know from being a runner that the worst injuries result from doing too much too soon. I know that. And I was holding myself back in order to avoid injury. I once had a stress fracture and injury is no picnic. 

Here's the back story: 

I packed on several pounds during my dad's illness last year and when the temps finally began to warm up a little here in late January (warm is relative) I purposed to get rid of them. My first setback was when our treadmill motor quit. I was very frustrated because we still had lots of snowy days ahead and I didn't know how in the world I was going to keep my momentum going with outdoor exercise. I perservered and the weather cooperated (for the most part) but then another setback, shin splints, forced me to take a couple weeks off. Ouch. I think I'm the only person I know who gets shin splints just from walking fast. 

Eventually my shins returned to normal and I resumed activity. I was losing weight, feeling great, and had the energy I remember from my twenties. And then I started feeling pain in my upper leg/hip area after a long walk. I took a few days off to rest, and honestly, I really only rested because we had a freak April snowstorm and I couldn't get outside. After two days of being house bound, I went for a run. I felt great the entire time I was running but when I stopped, I could barely walk. And I had to walk 3 miles back home. If I'd had my cell with me, I would have called someone for a ride. I don't think I've ever hurt so bad in my entire life. Except for labor. Oh, and a kidney stone. Looking back, I wish I had never gone on that Sunday run. 

It's been almost five weeks since that day. Despite the pain, I put off going to the doctor because I didn't want to spend a ton of money for them to "try" to figure out what was going on. I finally caved and went because I wanted to feel better for our anniversary trip. But I don't feel better. And I'm soooooooooo frustrated. 

My doctor referred me to a physical therapist, but I put off making an appointment because I knew we were leaving town and I didn't want to start therapy, then have to take a week off. Excuses, excuses. I ran into her (the PT) last week at school and mentioned my referral to her. She probed a little and I agreed to see her yesterday afternoon with high hopes that she could manipulate something and I'd walk away a new person. She confirmed the tendonitis diagnosis my doctor gave me and told me that this is going to take significant time to heal. I will probably have to rest my leg/hip all summer which means NO hiking and NO other exercise (biking, walking, jogging) until it heals. 

I'm devastated. 

I live in Colorado and our summers are glorious. For me, summer is about being outside and being active. Last summer was a rough one, and I had such high hopes for this one. All my contributions to our "summer list" involved outdoor activity.

I'm slowly adjusting to this news. I'm sad. I'm mad. I'm incredibly disappointed. And in the midst of all that emotion, I'm still in some pretty intense physical pain. It feels like I also have some pretty intense opposition in regard to my heart. 

Yesterday I got an ionotophoresis treatment at the therapist's office, and I'm going for another possible treatment today. Iontophoresis uses an ionic charge to deliver anti-inflammatory meds (corticosteroids) transdermally. It targets the specific area the steroid is needed and it's not as destructive to your collagen as a cortisone shot. It's actually pretty cool and I can tell some difference since my treatment yesterday afternoon.

I'm crossing my fingers and PRAYING that another treatment will alleviate the pain I feel when walking. Because airports and tourist attractions are in my very near future. 

So..., thanks for letting me vent a little here.

I'm frustrated but I'm hanging in there. I may be hanging by a thread, maybe, but I'm hanging tough.  

PS--I would love your prayers!

A quick hello

I'm giving myself 10 minutes to blog before I get going this morning. It's going to be another busy day, but I'm seeing the light at the end of this crazy tunnel!

--I have an appointment to see the doctor today about my leg. According to my amateur internet research I have a torn ligament or possibly a groin pull. I'm really hoping it's something a lot more simple than that. I have an aversion to doctors and traditional medicine (which is another post for another day) but I'm going this morning because I'm in a great deal of pain and desperately want to be able to walk and hike when John and I are in California. I'll let you know what I find out.

--Our weather is wacko. It was snowing when I went to bed last night. It also rained, hailed, and thundered most of last evening. Our kids were out jumping on the trampoline (in coats, hats, socks, gloves) when it started hailing and they thought that was THE most fun thing ever. It was pea-sized hail, and they weren't in real danger (I guess) but they were hooting with laughter while I was freaking out. Good times.

The big snowstorm--the one that had forecasters using the words "feet" and "snow" in same sentence--missed us. A bunch of us were complaining about it yesterday at TANG (my mom's group at church) and my pastor reminded us that we had a lot of sunny days in January and February. How quickly I'd forgotten. He also made fun of me for wearing my parka AND a sweater. I don't even care. It was cold yesterday. And colder today with more snow possible. It's May, right? Not December?

--I'm not loving the back nine episodes of Glee so much. Are y'all?

My ten minutes has passed. That was fast! Must go. Peace out, peeps.