2nd Opinion tomorrow

Monday, January 04, 2010

Well today I did get to the gym and did 17 miles in 66 minutes on the stationary bike and the leg and arm weight machines. I also went to PT and Bryan my PT is sending me for a 2nd opinion to see another orthopedic surgeon . I am being sent to PSL so I am attempting to arrange for a ride to and from there since I am unable to ride my bike or walk , which is how I usually get to and from place since I don't drive at all. I am still unable to straighten my leg and tomorrow is 1 month since my injury. Bryan says I should be back to normal or close to it by now and I am not .

  

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HAPPY NEW ME!

Sunday, January 03, 2010

They say an affirmation is when you lie to yourself until it is true. That being said I am telling myself, HAPPY NEW YEAR HAPPY NEW ME! I hope it isn't a lie and I am working every day to make it a true statement. My knee is better every day and today I was able to do 32 minutes on the stationary bike , 8 miles and burned 250 calories, well approximately , the HR said over 500 calories and I know that isn't true so perhaps half that amount. Now to get my appetite and eating on track where it needs to be. We are having a cold spell down here and I am hungry all of the time. I usually workout so much I have no appetite and now that I am not able to do that I am recognizing I am hungry! I am drinking water every time I think I am hungry, I am making sure I am sleeping ( taking a tylenol pm at bedtime and that seems to help me sleep better ), and I am working at being grateful and living with an attitude of gratitude on a daily basis. Today I am grateful for my friend Lisa and her family who have been so generous with me and picked me up to go to the gym today and the last couple of weeks. I cut my bike time short today so I could do some weights. My left leg is still much weaker than it was prior to injury and it is still shuddering when I just straighten it. I am walking better though and it is taking all of my self control not to go for a walk or ride my bike I really don't like not being able to go anywhere by myself. Hopefully that will change soon.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MAGIC10FINGERS 1/4/2010 11:44AM

I know this has to be so hard, not being able to exercise like U want, getting places on your own when U want, & eating how U want. BUT, U are really trying mentally to keep yourself in tact & that's great! U will have days when it won't be so easy to take, & that's OK too, but your positive outlook overall, will prevail! Congrats on being able to go longer on the bike. Hugs, Ruth Report Inappropriate Comment

MAGIC10FINGERS 1/4/2010 11:43AM

I know this has to be so hard, not being able to exercise like U want, getting places on your own when U want, & eating how U want. BUT, U are really trying mentally to keep yourself in tact & that's great! U will have days when it won't be so easy to take, & that's OK too, but your positive outlook overall, will prevail! Congrats on being able to go longer on the bike. Hugs, Ruth Report Inappropriate Comment

Life is interesting!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

I just realized I hadn't blogged since the beginning of December. Well I am at present waiting for my medication debit card to arrive so I can get my 'epilepsy medication' and it should be here mid January. I am having many seizures now almost daily, seems like the more active I am the more I have them and for some reason night time is when they like to strike. I had a scary one early Christmas morning where I could not move my legs purposely for about 10-15 minutes and I was crying and screaming , I lost bowel control as well and that was horrible . That night at Catherine's when we sat down to eat I started getting them in my hands first the left hand and then the right, they are very painful. Yesterday I was feeling 'hungover' all day long because of having one while I was working out and then last evening I had a few in my feet and legs again while I had company. Just now while talking on the phone started having one in my abdomen and the top of my left leg.
My physical therapy for my knee is going well , started riding the stationary bike this week and staarted out doing 3 miles in 16 minutes then 5 miles in 17 minutes then yesterday 9 miles in 39 minutes and today 12 miles in 49 minutes! I am still unable to straighten my left leg fully and it still feels very tight behind the knee and it feels like my leg is shorter than the right one. I am not crazy about the orthopedic doctor. Bryan my PT said that if I am not a lot better by next Saturday which will be 4 weeks since my injury that I will have to start thinking about surgery and he doesn't reccomend the ortho surgeon I was sent to. My friend Bruce at the gym today told me he has a good knee man in PSL , Girard is his name so I will ask Bryan what he thinks of him this week.
I had the most pleasant Christmas ever this year with Catherine and her boys and her friend Elizabeth and her daughters. Non stressful, full of talk and laughter.
Men are coming out of the woodwork! I med Tony , the man Lisa and David wanted me to meet yesterday and he is wonderful. Robert who I have seen off and on of 2 years called on Christmas eve and came over for an hour while he waited to go pcik up his daughter and our old chemistry is still there so that was nice. I am totally teed off with Bob and about ready to show him the door or better yet , just not see him anymore at all. He calls himself my friend but he doesn't offer to help me in anyway since I have been 'grounded' with this injury and he had the nerve to write me the other day and say he missed our walks. I wrote him back and said I missed being able to walk! Ron also came by on Christmas eve with my Christmas gift and for a few hours visit.
I am formulating my goals and wishes for the coming year, getting and staying healthy as possible is on the top of the list. I have a whole list of things that entails, controlling the seizures, taking off the weight, rehabbing my knee, and get back to running and running my first 1/2 marathon . I don't know what surprises lie ahead in the next year but I will take the challenges in stride, embrace the gifts, love my friends, and treasure my independence
life is interesting to say the least this year was full of surprises.
I have a rich life full of loving friends who have become my family and the future is promising!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MAGIC10FINGERS 1/1/2010 6:47PM

Glad U had a great Christmas! Sorry about the knee issues. I hope U find a good orthopedic person. U & all your gentlemen callers! LOL! Very cool. I hope U are able to get back @ the walking/jogging soon. I know how much U miss it. Hugs, Ruth Report Inappropriate Comment

SUCHAHOOT 12/27/2009 6:04PM

Your attitude & zest are such an inspiration! I'm so happy you had a lovely holiday with friends. I'll be praying for the right Dr.'s and meds to help you move your way back to health. Hey, it sounds like you have your pick in the men department...choose wisely & have fun!! Take good care. Report Inappropriate Comment

Got a 'FLAT TIRE" in my 5th 5k!

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Well I was running my 5th 5 k race on Saturday morning and at the 1 mile mark had what I now know is a focal seizure in my left leg and stepped on my left foot while my leg was tensed and tore my PCL ( posterior cruciate ligament ), was taken to the hospital by ambulance. We don't have a trauma center in town so they couldn't do the MRI and stuff on Saturday so had to have tHE mri yesterday will see the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow and then go from there. I am staying with my friend Catherine since I can't do much on these crutches and sitting on my toilet at home with my leg straight is impossible ( would have to put a hole in the wall). I am thankful I can do seated tricep dips , one legged squats, dancer pose and hip flexors because I am doing them repeatedly to sit on the toilet, pick things up off the floor, maneuver on the bed and around the apartment. I am thankful for my wonderful loving friends who have circled around me and are all helping me as they always do. The 5k was lots of fun though , my friend Steve ran in full Santa outfit and finished in 21 minutes. LOL coat and all.
I also got a diagnosis of TLE on Thursday, Temperal lobe epilepsy. What I have thought of as muscle spasms my entire life are actually seizures and that is what is causing my left leg to deform. I have not started medication yet still working out that with my doctor.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MAGIC10FINGERS 12/8/2009 2:44PM

Wow PJ, didn't realize they had to call the squad on U. Sorry about all the health issues right now. But like U said, even while laid up, U are exercising! Maybe not in the way U want, but U are still working some muscles! I hope all goes well with the meds. Hugs, Ruth Report Inappropriate Comment

SUCHAHOOT 12/8/2009 1:52PM

Dear PJ, I'm so sorry about your leg & your 5K. I'm happy they have finally figured out what is going on though! Now, perhaps, you can get some treatment & rehab & know what you need to do. Friends are a blessing. I'm glad you have someone to help. Please keep us posted. I'll be thinking about you & sending up a prayer. Karen Report Inappropriate Comment

Left leg is a challenge!

Monday, November 23, 2009

I have been having so much trouble with my left leg since June of this year. My left foot is deforming the toes are becoming hammered the instep is getting very high the toes point upwards and the ball of my foot looks pointed. My leg feels like it is on fire and sharp pain like when you hit your funny bone , all of the time. I feel week with the leg as well and can't tell if it is truely week or if I am weak from the pain it does make me short of breath and seems to increase my heart rate from the pain when I am running or exercising .
I hope the doctor has some ideas on how to help this problem it seems to have gotten more painful since the EMG a month ago. I see the neurologist on the 3rd of December so it is still a wait to see if he has any ideas what is going on and how to treat it.
I am working at being patient and that is a challenge as well.
pj

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MAGIC10FINGERS 12/7/2009 8:37AM

I know this is frustrating, making it difficult for U to run, but U are such an upbeat person, I know U will work thru this. I'm sorry it caused U problems in your 5K on Sat. I hope U recover quickly. Hugs, Ruth Report Inappropriate Comment

SUCHAHOOT 11/23/2009 2:26PM

Hey PJOY, I'll keep you in my prayers for relief & Peace. And guidance for your Docs. I'm so sorry you are having this trouble. Report Inappropriate Comment