Thursday, July 31, 2008

No Training Today...or tomorrow

My morning has not started as well as I hoped for. The pain was immediate and sharp, even before I rolled out of bed and tried to get on my feet gracefully. (Graceful? Not any more.) It’s now an hour later and the pain has abated somewhat because of the ibuprofen; a double dose. And I suppose the coffee has helped a little bit as well. Must give credit where credit is due. But…attitude adjustment is needed; I’m definitely depressed. As I was waiting in the car at the post office yesterday, I watched an elder exit his car slowly and then hobble into the building, his cane tap, tap, tapping. Is that me? It’s at times like this that the thought of my completing another marathon seems as unlikely as my visiting the moon.

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

It only hurts when I laugh

I’m sorry that this blog has degenerated into a health issue blog. I’m still hoping for a happy ending to all of this and a return to posting about my latest race and my training progress as I head for my sixth marathon.

But, in the meantime, I wait. And wait some more. I was contacted by the neurosurgeon, Dr. J. Mimbs, and I now have an appointment for a consultation. 5 weeks from now. OK, I give. I used to think that perhaps the scenarios in the movie Sicko were ‘enhanced’ just a little bit to add some flair to the movie. Not.

So it’s back to a steady diet of ibuprofen for me. But, I will also try some bicycle exercise and even some walking during the next 5 weeks. I have to do something, even if it hurts.

Monday, July 14, 2008

All New to Me

Now that I have the news and the morning Projections postings out of the way, I guess I can go back to writing all about me. My favorite subject. Or I could write a story to post on another blog; perhaps my Working blog? But first, all about me. The hip and foot pain returns every day. Gathering in intensity. Some days are better than others, but still the slide is downwards. I have asked for a referral to a neurosurgeon and now I am waiting for that office to call. I had no idea that modern medicine involved so much ‘waiting’. But, then again, I’ve had very little contact with modern medicine. Until now. I don’t think I like it.

I must now talk to a neurosurgeon as I have to explore all of my options. The cortisone injection worked for a week or so and then the slide began. And when I talked to the pain clinic last week, they recommended? two procedures; my choice – cortisone again, good for a week or? Or radiofrequency lesioning. That’s a heating of the nerve to form scar tissue which will block pain signals for up to 3 years. Up to. That’s the kicker. I want it gone forever. I want to do another marathon. Heck, I want to do a simple 5K! And what’s with this giving me all of these options? I want someone to tell me what’s best. I didn’t go to medical school. I’m not qualified to decide what’s best in all cases. And so I wander from doctor to doctor, looking for an answer.