One Step Back with a Swollen Bursa? (Week 9)

On Saturday, I tested my luck by going to the store. Mind you, I've been warned to not walk on concrete, which the floor of the store is made of, but I felt okay, and needed to get out. Instead of forcing myself to sit, I didn't. Saturday night, I felt sore.

Sunday morning, I woke up sore. I took it easy, and then I ventured out to book club. It was my first car ride that was over 10 minutes (I think it was about a half hour or so). And then I sat still for 2 hours. When I got up from the chair, I felt that pinch of pain. (Did I mention the mini coughing fit?)

I was not a happy camper, and attempted not to berate myself for being so foolish. The good news is, the numbness in my toes is practically gone.

Today it was a little better. I did manage to go for a walk because it felt okay. And, I knew I had an appointment this evening. During the appointment, he noted (for the second time) that my bursa in my hip was tender. He wants to do more xrays to check my hip and make sure there isn't a misalignment there.


Hmm... seems that I'm presenting him with yet another puzzle to solve... I'm not sure this is a good thing. I really, really want to get back to moving.  *Sigh*

Tough Week

So maybe going for a walk after he worked on me on Monday was not a good idea. I've been so sore all week. (Could also be the 3 sneezes that agitated it as well... thankfully they were small ones, but still, I'll need to report them.)

I did do a few of the exercises that he okayed as well. Sometimes movement makes me feel better. We shall see. Today, I'll have help here if I need it.  Yesterday, I didn't, and that made things interested with my little one having a few potty training accidents. Oh my...

I'm feeling better today, so I'm going to take that as a good sign. I've decided that I need to move at least 1000-1500 steps a day.

We shall see how it goes...

Walking that thin line

I woke up this morning in a lot of pain, and I admit to using ibuprofen and arnica gel the last two days. I'm not sure if it's from the adjustment, cleaning out my closet on Saturday (I didn't do it on my own and I swear I took it easy!), or what. As my hubby likes to point out, there are always too many variables.

The last two days I've been worried. Am I taking 2 steps back? Is this part of the progress? I'll know when I talk to him this week.

I've also known two friends in the last month who have had back surgery on discs. And one who broke his vertebrae falling off a roof. It's kind of crazy when you think of it. And there are moments when I wonder, should I do surgery? No. I don't want to do surgery unless I have no other choice.

Today we got the insurance statements. *Sigh* They only cover 12 chiropractic visits, and 75 physical therapy visits. Which means, we're going to be owing a bit. At least they covered 2/3s of the MRI cost.

For a moment I had to stop and wonder if resigning from my job was a wise choice in regards for finances. Hubby is a bit stressed about what's to come. Fact is that I still wouldn't be back to work if I had stayed. I don't know what the future will bring. What I do know... is that I have this feeling that everything is going to be alright. I don't know why, nor how, and maybe I'm just living in some happy bubble (please don't bust it!).

My main priority is getting well... which means staying present. And that's what I'm trying to do.

A fine line...

Last night and this morning were tough ones. I went to bed and woke up in pain. I could've taken pain meds, but since I'm seeing the chiropractor today, I wanted to avoid them if I could stand it. I think I over did it yesterday because I was feeling well.

Oh the fine line that I am walking, balancing on, at times! So frustrating...

It's time to remember to slow down again. Even though I'm feeling better, I need to remember that it's not wise to just dive in.

Bend over backwards? Not yet.

I was a little concerned today. The last few days I've been in a bit more pain than usual. I've been feeling tender, and needing to take the occasional ibuprofen. So, I was a bit worried that I might've done a two steps forward, one step back deal.

I walked into the appointment upright. I didn't need to park in the handicap space, although I did make hubby park in the closest spot. I realized that I'm not as tired. I'm standing longer, and during the day, I caught myself subconsciously crossing my legs. I noticed that I got on the table without a problem.

After the ever more aggressive traction/flexion (I forget the proper name for it), I got off the table, felt a twinge, breathed through it and stood. I used to have to sit down as quickly as possible. And then, I turned, and bent backwards, slowly. There was no twinge. I turned to the right and to the left, and... no twinge.

I proceeded to stand and chat. I told him how I was longing to exercise, do pushups, jump lunges, burpees... and he said that if I keep down this road, I'll build my strength back, and eventually be able to do those things again. Then he hooked me up to the Estim, and I walked to the waiting room, and onto the car - without having to sit and rest.

I'm still under major restrictions. But I've been told to get up and walk around (not around the block), but not to sit all day. To get up and move.

I'm smiling as I type this, because today, was awesome.

I need to be more careful... (Week 6)

Today and yesterday were all too close reminders of just how careful I need to be. One wrong move, or over doing it, can set me back pain wise, or worse. And it gets harder the better I feel because I long to do more...

However, today, not only was I able to stand up straight, but bend back a bit.

Feeling a Bit Insecure

This morning I woke up in pain, a little more than yesterday. I'd like to think it's because my youngest decided to make use of her potty chair Monday, and has been using it (with a few exceptions) throughout the week. Yesterday, she opted to wear underwear - no diaper (though I did put one on while she was napping over the underwear). Thank goodness my mom is here helping me, because emptying, cleaning up - let's just say it's a lot more work than changing a diaper. I had more movement yesterday then I have in a long time. (Not necessarily a good thing.)

I didn't want to wake my husband (he's barely getting enough rest as it is), so I eased myself out of bed to the kitchen so I could eat something to take some pain meds and apply some ice. Now I sit here in the quiet morning, documenting my thoughts and listening to the song of birds.

It's strange to not really be able to plan ahead. Not knowing what the next day will bring, how I will feel. Sometimes I feel so fragile, because there are no guarantees or sure fire solutions. My body will hopefully reabsorb the particle pushing on the nerve. I hopefully won't sneeze or cough (which puts me back to the beginning).

Yesterday it's been a month since this happened. I admit that I'm more in the present moment then ever, because I have no clue what is going to happen. In some ways, it's freeing. In others, frustrating. I want more progress, things to happen faster. At the same time, there is a gift in a slow recovery in that I am forced to be patient, to accept where I am on a daily basis.

I desire a guarantee that I'm going to heal from this, be pain free, and grow stronger. Fact is, I have no idea how this will all play out. So I work on letting go... going with the flow, being present,  breathing deeply, and rely on little things to help my mood.