PT Update

Yesterday I started getting a lot of pain from lower body exercises. I talked to my physical therapist and I see him Monday and will be going in twice a week now instead of once every two weeks.  I think that there's enough going on right now that it is necessary at this point. My shoulders and all are doing ok.  They seem to be tolerating the exercises fairly well.

I stepped outside this morning around 6:30 to go to work and was pleasantly surprised at how warm it was!!!! I had my windows open today so that the fresh air could get in.  It cheered me up a lot :) It was a high of 61 degrees today!!! I can't wait till spring!!

More Timely Than a Barometer

I did have a good week, but by the end of Chemistry class of Thursday,  my hip was hurting and by the time I was home it was REALLY hurting!!!! Hmmm....I wonder if the pressure is going down?? Well, duh..it was!!!  Friday morning was hard and painful to sit and when I got back from work in the morning I could hardly get up and down the stairs.  My brother (who is a firefighter) had to kinda help me up the stairs:) I'm younger than he is and I still feel like a little old lady, hobbling around the house;) My brothers always find ways to make me laugh and cheer me up when I don't feel well!!:) CAN'T wait till SPRING and WARM weather!!!!!

On My Mind

 Peace in acceptance
Acceptance is not a sign of weakness, but is a place where peace can dwell.  God sometimes uses our pain and struggles to show us just how much we need to depend on Him.  It can also provide a bridged gap in which we can reach others.  This doesn't mean that once we accept, we have everything figured out or live perfect lives, it just means that through the tears, pain, doubt there is a purpose and a greater cause that we couldn't possible imagine.

"So, I am praying while feeling restless, at peace while tempted, safe while anxious, surrounded by a cloud of light while still in darkness, in love while still doubting."                              ~Nenri Nouwen

Getting Somwhere

 In December, after getting an MRI on my shoulder, the good news was that the tendons and ligaments appeared to be intact.  But I did have a "capacious" socket and the labral "rim" was rolled over making a blunted edge.  My doctor said the labral damage was probably done from the joint dislocating and subluxing so many times.  It now just rolls freely around the edges.  The MRI did say that the muscles were well formed! Ha-hah......like to think the hard work to keep using it paid off:)

My knee MRI in August showed a tear.  I also have patella tendinitis and a lot of swelling in the same area.  My back and pelvic has given me a fit the past six months and my ankle seems to be getting worse.  With all of this along with a lot of pain and subluxations my doctor thought we should see a physical therapist again.  Last month mom did her usual research and hunting and digging and found a group that was experienced with EDS near Richmond and we set an appointment.  I have to admit, I wasn't really thrilled.  I was really comfortable with the workout routine I had made and was worried it would get messed up.  Well, it turns out that the physical therapist really knew what he was doing which reassured me and..............a good portion of my exercises I have been doing is actually making the pain and misalignment worse.

The 40-50  situps I do is actually making my pelvic back pain worse.  This was eliminated from my workout plan.  My pelvis tends to sink on one side and I had it put back in place at the appointment. I couldn't believe how good it felt to have it back.  Guess I got so use to it I didn't realize it was really out of whack:) I also can't do anymore leg raises because even though they were really good for my knee they are really bad for my hip socket.  We also found out that the pain and catching I've been getting there for a year or so is from the joint getting hung up and a possible tear or wearing down of the cartilage.  During the appointment the physical therapist also took a look at my ankle and noticed that it was really stiff while walking and extremely painful to press on on the sides.  Which was abnormal, especially for me since I'm so loose:)  I've been getting a lot more pain in it lately and the sensation of spraining it or subluxing it even though I haven't twisted it or anything.  The joint is wearing down the cartilage on one side causing swelling and stiffness.  The pain he is suspecting is from a possible loose fragment or some tissue catching as I move it and walk on it.  He gave me some stretches to do and for now we are just going to see if strengthening will help the pain.  Last resort might be surgery if all else fails.  The plan for my hip is to see if exercises will help.  Most people who do that don't get results and have to have surgery, but for me I have to do everything else possible before that is a possibility, unless it's just cleaning out the joint like I had for my elbow in February 2011. 

I'm starting a new exercise plan today.  First I'll work out in the deep end of the pool, get some two pound ankle weights on the way home, and then do the PT exercises at home.   My shoulder is going to be the most painful and is going to take the longest before I feel a difference but  I'm sure it'll pay off in the end.  I guess its got to sometimes hurt before it helps.   Just not injured before strengthened.

Thought for the day:
"God knows all about you, your strengths, and your weaknesses, and yet his love and acceptance is consistent."                   ~Therese Cirner