Follow-up Visit with Doc...

I got in and out fairly quickly. Dr. Biggs apologized for the wait, but I didn't see that I had to wait long at all. I guess he is feeling rushed for other reasons.

Anyway...

He came in and of course, started poking and prodding. I really feel better, but not 100% and told him that I felt stiff. That is of course normal with the CAM boot. Did I post a picture of that yet? Let me do that for you.

My foot in my boot

It isn't the most stylish... It matches NOTHING! I had to go out and buy a new dress shoe to try to match the height of this one so I didn't have more problems walking. At first my hip and right knee were in pain, but with a good height-matched shoe, things have been easier. but such is life, right? I am still working through this and working on keeping my spirits up.



While Doc was manipulating my foot/ankle he was questioning me, of course, on how things were going. I told him of an odd sensation that occurs from time to time on the base of me heel towards the bottom of my foot. I remember it happening as I first put the boot on 3 weeks ago in the office.

So, now I need to go in for an MRI. That really wasn't the news I was hoping to hear. However, on the positive side of things, I can go try stationary upright cycling. !!! YES!!! I can actually attempt some cardio. I have been told not to let my ankle bend too much and to keep things as straight as possible. He said to try this other machine the Y has as well; the UBE (Upper Body Ergometer, an exercise bike for the arms). I know it worked well for my mother, who has lots of trouble with her legs. He said it is a different kind of cardio and I can work it a few different ways.

I am kind of excited to try something else new!  I really have been experiencing SO many new things through this. My injury really is more of a blessing than anything.

About the stationary: I have to wear the boot until I am ready to cycle. Then I can put a shoe on and make sure i use the toe clip and I get to ride, NOT standing, though. He doesn't want me to put that much stress on anything. Then I have to put the boot back on to walk.

He also said that it is ok to try some light resistance work. I can get to the machines again! With those he said it should be fine for me to walk to it in my boot and just take it off to work the machine, then put the boot back on to move to the next one.

I am to continue with symptomatic management of the pain with the Boot. I also understand that if I start feeling sore to document it and back off again. I have to work at staying pain free. I think the hand-bike will be a fun way to work out, and can't wait to cycle again.

I hope the MRI shows clearly what the doc needs to see, so we can get me back up and running. I really am glad that I am ok to get back to some sort of cardio. I am struggling with my weight. Calorie intake alone is an awful way to try to control weight. The body WANT to move!

Check back with me next week. I will post what the doc says after reading the MRI.

~Happy Running!

Injury Report/Update

It has been 22 days since my last run...

Strike that. It has now been 32 days. I started to write this and just couldn't.

I don't know what to say. I have not been able to run. I tried to cycle and that didn't work. I was told not to try to swim.

I have been doing a lot of sit-ups and weight work with the upper body. I have a fairly decent core. I am not totally ripped with abs, but there is strength there. That, to me, is more important. My arms are looking pretty good too. I have been doing a bunch of reps with light weights. I know it isn't much, but I am just starting. Last night I actually did some reps with a heavier weight! PROGRESS! I just can't wait to get clearance to do something substantial with my legs again.

I really have been good about this. For the first week, I used my crutches all the time. For the second week, I used at least one crutch and if I didn't use either, I at least had them with me. This third week, I haven't had them with me. I have even walked around my house barefoot. I'm not sure the doc will be happy with that, but my foot felt really stiff and it felt better after walking a bit.

Now, I'm not talking about pacing back and forth. Just walking from living room to bedroom and couple of times in a day. Nothing much. I always put the boot back on when I was planning to stand for longer periods or walk more. I am hoping for good news Friday, when I go back to see Dr. Biggs. I don't know if he will take x-rays again or not, but I'm ready to get back into action. If only just for a spin class...

Part of my problem is that I grew accustomed to eating a certain amount of food in a day and can no longer do that due to the decrease in activity. I have been putting on weight. Clothes are fitting tight. I have worked very hard to get where I am and am feeling a bit depressed that this is happening. I know that I have to control my eating. That has always been hard for me. It is one reason I blew up to 211 pounds in the first place. I worked HARD to get down to 150, and for a while I was lower than that (my lowest was 147). I am now slowly creeping higher again, and it is tearing me up! It is going to be a lifelong battle for me, I am sure.

I am trying to find a workout program that I can start once I get the OK. I really liked the structure of the BTG training and am looking for something I can chart and see what's next. I may end up throwing something together for myself, but I worry about hurting myself with something like that. I know me! What I am looking for is a good strength program to incorporate into running, cycling and swimming (once I learn to do that).

Ideally, I want to run 3-4 days, bike 2-3 days, and swim 2-3 days, with strength training mixed in 3-4 days as well. All of that with Fridays off! Saturday will be the Long Run day, most likely.

So, I'm figuring that the injury occurred on April 6; that long, lonely 11 miler that had me jump in a ditch to avoid a semi. This Friday will put me at 6 weeks. It is possible that I could be good to get back into things. I have a feeling, though, that I am going to stay booted for a few more weeks. I just have that luck. However, I am still pulling for the chance to start SOMETHING! I have to remain as positive as possible in this. That, too, has been a struggle.

I never thought I would miss exercising as much as I do. Just 2 years ago, those words would never have pooped into my head. Now... Well, a pic I found says it best : "I didn't change, I just found myself". I have this picture to keep reminding me of how far I have come, and where I have yet to go!

I will do my best to post again after I see the Doc Friday. Praying for good news!

There are a few other positives to note here. I got to meet one of my heroes:  Jackie Joyner-Kersee!!!


AND!! I got a new car!! OK, we needed one anyway, but with the boot I could no longer drive a standard. So we went and got me an automatic. It even came with a table!!!

~Happy Running!

(you better believe I will be happy to get back to running)