Back from the Back

OK, It's officially been a long time since I posted on this blog.  This pinched nerve has pinched my life.  I think I'm finally on the mend thanks, mostly I think, to time and a resourceful pursuit of medical alternatives.

If nothing else, this experience has taught me how important a new healthcare system is for this country.  I have visited a primary care doc, spine doc, two chiropractors using different techniques, physical therapist, had a nerve block by a radiologist (I think) and as a last resort I hit the pool for water aerobics yesterday.  (I might add, that is was a lovely group of women and I brought down the average age by about 30 years, proving it's never too late to be active).

I'm sick to death of trying to figure out the right avenue to get better and I believe to my core that the healthcare system screams for a more logical way to help a patient make informed, cost effective choices .  We are lucky to have good health insurance, but I can't imagine what I've cost the system in the last three months even though it has been a reasonable expense to us.

So what's the upshot?  I'm feeling better, but really have no idea why.  I'm an impatient patient, so I've used lots of connections to find a variety of unrelated treatments.  It's a good thing to have family in the healthcare world (sister who's a doc, husband in hospital administration).  It is critical in our system to take matters into one's own hands to find the right treatment.

My issue is obviously tiny compared to the many people out there who have serious illnesses and/or don't have health insurance.  This experience will make me a much more informed voter when it comes to healthcare reform.  I am motivated to understand what can be done to make it better in small and big ways.

I'm also less crabby (my family is happy about that) and relieved to be feeling better and able to get back to my life.

In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning

Since my bike accident, we have become well acquainted.  I find that I wake up at about 4:30 AM and am unable to fall back to sleep.  I have to admit that I kind of like being up at this hour.  The house is quiet, the world is just beginning to get started.  I can hear some traffic on the roads and river, but it's still kind of sleepy.  The spring birds are active and chatty, all in all not a bad way to greet the day.


I also like it from a work standpoint.  I use the early hours to review my thinking from the night before.  There is something infinitely clearer in the light of day, so when I am working on a project, like I have been this week, I know that I can put it aside at the end of the day, and take another look in the morning - I always see something new.


Maybe this is a result of my injury or maybe it's a result of getting older, but for now, I'm going with it and taking advantage of the "Wee Small Hours"

I Need to Get Back

In more ways than one.  I need to "get back" meaning I need to get my back fixed!  It was a month ago today that I gracefully fell off my bike and pinched a nerve in my back - ouch!!  I have been a patient, patient - going to the Chiropractor, spine doctor and doing exercises, etc.. in an attempt to have it heal itself.  My patience has run out - I am going to call the doctor tomorrow and have the steriod injection in the hope that it will calm the pain enough for me to "get back" to my life.


I've been crabby, short tempered and generally no fun, and that has to stop. I know this may not be a magic cure, but I frankly don't have another month of not being able to move in me.  I miss being myself and want to enjoy exercising again (hopefully training for the triathlon, or at least getting back to a regular routine), and just feel more like myself


I also need to "get back" to this blog - I have had numerous ideas and topics running around in my head, but like everything else this month, I've not had the energy to pursue it - so as of today - I'm back in the game.


I'll let you know how I'm progressing, but more importantly, I'll "get back" to writing about my journey,  now that it's 2/3 the way over - I want to finish strong!!

No Good Deed....

Goes unpunished, I think is how the saying goes.  Well that seems to be the case for my tri-ing to get back into shape. As I mentioned, I fell off my bike last week on my first real bike ride of the season.  I got a pretty nice bruise, but also apparently a pinched nerve in my lower back - UUG.  I must have twisted in my elegance as I tried to stand back up and am dealing with an incredibly painful left cheek, and numb left leg.


This week has been full of doctor's appointments, serious pain drugs, anti-inflamatory medication, and lots of pain. Who knew a pinched nerve could hurt so much?  I take back every less than empathetic thought I've every had about someone dealing with back pain.


I have to go to the spine doctor on Tuesday to figure out what to do next and am open to trying any and all non-invasive options to heal it. Chiropractor, acupuncture, herbs, I don't care - I just don't want to have stuff injected into my back if I can help it.


I've also realized how much for granted I take my healthy body.  I spend too much time being tough on myself for not being the perfect weight, and not enough time appreciating how lucky I am to be strong and healthy.  I am gaining a new perspective.


I am also a pretty crabby patient (just ask my family).  I need to get better fast so I can get back to training for this triathlon, and just doing my job.  I had to change a meeting tomorrow in Western MN because I can't drive or sit for more than a half-hour at a time.  I hate having to reschedule work - It is a part of my core to be on time and reliable.


Honestly, what I think I'm learning here is patience - Something I've never been particularly good at, so I'm sure this a lesson for me - I might have been able to learn it less painfully though!


I'll keep you posted, and hope to look back soon at this lesson with a more balanced perspective on strength and health - soon!

Tri - ing Again

So today it began.  I officially started training for the YWCA Triathlon I'm registered for in August, 2010.  I met up with a couple other women that I connected with on the Google site set up for the YWCA Tri and we did a 12 mile bike ride.  


I was pleased to do 12 miles on my first time out this year.  I got to ride my groovy new bike that Bill bought for me earlier this year, and I loved it.  I also had my first fall on the bike.  This bike has great bike shoes with clips, so it helps me go faster and bike more efficiently, but also doesn't let go as easily.  I have a nice scrape & bruise to show off this week - I think that makes me a real biker, right?


The kicker is that I was standing still when I fell.  Apparently, you can't take the klutz out of a person, even with a fancy new bike.  


I think the most important note for me today, is how much energy I feel by doing this.  I enjoyed the company this morning, and am still enjoying the bump I got from fitting in the exercise.  If only I could remember this every day!


So, I'll keep you up to date on the training, but it feels great to get started - I know I'll be ready when it comes time.

Pretty in Polka Dots

You know how sometimes when you have an event and you  think I have nothing to wear?  Well, I had that feeling last week.  Now don't get me wrong, I have plenty of lovely clothes, but as a seasoned dieter, I don't like to buy expensive clothes always sure I'll lose those pesky pounds before I need to spend the money.


So, I decided to try a new store in St. Paul called Second Debut.  It is a lovely, boutique store on University Avenue that sells used clothes.  There is also one in St. Louis Park that I have been to occasionally, so when one came to St. Paul, I headed over there.


The fabulous twist to Second Debut, is that it is owned by Goodwill and all the clothes are actually donated items.  Some smart person (probably a clothes savvy woman!) decided that it made sense to pick out the lovely, in many cases designer, clothes that people donate and bring them to this boutique venue for sale.  It's the perfect place for women (and men in St. Louis Park) to find that "something to wear" without spending a fortune.  The proceeds go back to Goodwill, so you are supporting that great organization as well.


In 15 minutes with the help of a great saleswoman, I found this beautiful polka dot dress that fit me perfectly for $22.00.  I wore it to the party and felt wonderful.


I love the idea of being able to find inexpensive good looking clothes, even if I'm not at the perfect weight yet - it always feels better to love what I'm wearing.


So check it out if you have time www.seconddebut.org

Fishing Opener

It is officially spring in my book.  This weekend in Wisconsin, it was the fishing opener.  Now, I don't take fishing terribly seriously, but I know many people who do.  For us this weekend, Charlie and his friend Yale bought the first tub of night crawlers and fished off the dock at the cabin.


The normal fishing stuff happened over the course of two days:  They realized rubber worms don't really work,  no actual fish were caught, but hooks & fishing line ended up in trees and everyone practiced casting and talking - the age old fishing routine.


The boys had a great time and I remembered fondly all those mornings in Maine fishing with my father.  We did catch fish most of the time and I am proud to say I can still put a worm on a hook and pick out a pretty good lure when the need arises.  


Hopefully as the summer goes on we'll have a few fish to fry up and I'm sure many hours of quiet contemplation on the lake will take place.


I'm happy that Spring has Sprung.