I just got the time for surgery. I check in at 9:30am. At least I won’t have to go too long without any food or water.
On my way there I will detour by the DMV to pick up my handicap pass. (It’s good for 3 months – too bad it’s not Christmas at the mall!)
I have my medicine filled and ready.
I bought some new toe nail polish.
I got the new People Style mag for my reading pleasure.
Mom is brining the Bride Wars DVD for post-op movie viewing.
David is coming to see me tomorrow afternoon.
I lifted weights and rode my bike last night.
Swam this morning.
A couple friends are coming over tonight for the “Last Chance Workout” – a short run in the ‘hood.
Here goes nothing.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Monday, April 27, 2009
P-I-C: Be Afraid
Partners - in - crime.
Now Partners - on - crutches.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Mainly because SQ and Favey will be on crutches, painkillers, are neighbors, and...like wine.
We once throught it was ironic that we both had older brothers...named Matt...that were doing Timberman 70.3 in 2008.
Then we bought condos less than a block from each other.
Now we have surgery pretty much together. Same bat place. Almost the same bat time.
so, yes, be afraid.
Now Partners - on - crutches.
Be afraid. Be very afraid.
Mainly because SQ and Favey will be on crutches, painkillers, are neighbors, and...like wine.
We once throught it was ironic that we both had older brothers...named Matt...that were doing Timberman 70.3 in 2008.
Then we bought condos less than a block from each other.
Now we have surgery pretty much together. Same bat place. Almost the same bat time.
so, yes, be afraid.
Surreal
Am I really having surgery in 3 days?
People have asked me if I am ready.
Is one ever ready to be sliced open and permanently scarred?
But I guess I am ready to accept that this is in my very near future.
I have gone to the grocery store, target, and run errands. (dammit I forgot air filters!)
I went for a long bike ride this weekend.
I spent sunday by the pool getting the last little bit of sun on my legs for awhile.
I went for an extra swim this morning.
I vacuumed the house. Up next: dusting and mopping.
I think I am about ready to spend a week with my feet kicked up...literally.
People have asked me if I am ready.
Is one ever ready to be sliced open and permanently scarred?
But I guess I am ready to accept that this is in my very near future.
I have gone to the grocery store, target, and run errands. (dammit I forgot air filters!)
I went for a long bike ride this weekend.
I spent sunday by the pool getting the last little bit of sun on my legs for awhile.
I went for an extra swim this morning.
I vacuumed the house. Up next: dusting and mopping.
I think I am about ready to spend a week with my feet kicked up...literally.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Counting Down
1 week from today is my fasciotomy.
A few ideas...
Bedazzling crutches
Making handle covers with all the fabric samples I have laying aorund my office (the beuty of being a designer)
7 days and counting...
A few ideas...
Bedazzling crutches
Making handle covers with all the fabric samples I have laying aorund my office (the beuty of being a designer)
7 days and counting...
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Baby Showering?
I don't know about what water your friends are drinking, but if they are dipping in the same well as mine, then you also have Baby Fever running rampant!
However, I do love planning showers! (baby and wedding!)
I love searching and finding exciting new give-aways, decorations, and of course, my favorit e- the invitations.
I jsut found my absolute FAVORITE baby shower invitation website.
Because if you are anything like me - going to the fun invitation stores require time that you jsut don't have.
www.peekaboopumpkin.com
Instant proofs, variety of fonts, help with rhyming. The works!
Seriously - the BEST ever.
Happ Baby Showering!
However, I do love planning showers! (baby and wedding!)
I love searching and finding exciting new give-aways, decorations, and of course, my favorit e- the invitations.
I jsut found my absolute FAVORITE baby shower invitation website.
Because if you are anything like me - going to the fun invitation stores require time that you jsut don't have.
www.peekaboopumpkin.com
Instant proofs, variety of fonts, help with rhyming. The works!
Seriously - the BEST ever.
Happ Baby Showering!
Cobwebs
With Ironman Arizona on the horizon, it's going to be a long season.
I haven't raced since Timberman 70.3 last year and have had quite the easy off-season. It hink my training partners heard me say "But it's my off-season" more times than they would care to.
I was schedule to participate in Rockett's Landing - the first local Olympic distance and with a purse, it ws drawing quite the elite crowd. A perfect way to kick off the season and clean off the cobwebs.
Put on the brakes.
It will be 2 weeks post-op. Bummer! no can do anymore.
Fortunately, the RD is allowing me to do another one of their races.
So I have added I Love the Tavern Aquavelo to the list for the year.
I have never done an Aquavelo. But since it's only 7 weeks post-op I will not be running 3 miles yet. But I will be (hopefully) able to handle the swim and the bike.
So here's to clearing out the cobwebs - something lots of my friends are doing this weekend at Rumpass in Bumpass, including my IronGreg!
(I wanted to do this rae just for a t-shirt that said 'Rumpass in Bumpass')
I haven't raced since Timberman 70.3 last year and have had quite the easy off-season. It hink my training partners heard me say "But it's my off-season" more times than they would care to.
I was schedule to participate in Rockett's Landing - the first local Olympic distance and with a purse, it ws drawing quite the elite crowd. A perfect way to kick off the season and clean off the cobwebs.
Put on the brakes.
It will be 2 weeks post-op. Bummer! no can do anymore.
Fortunately, the RD is allowing me to do another one of their races.
So I have added I Love the Tavern Aquavelo to the list for the year.
I have never done an Aquavelo. But since it's only 7 weeks post-op I will not be running 3 miles yet. But I will be (hopefully) able to handle the swim and the bike.
So here's to clearing out the cobwebs - something lots of my friends are doing this weekend at Rumpass in Bumpass, including my IronGreg!
(I wanted to do this rae just for a t-shirt that said 'Rumpass in Bumpass')
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Costco vs. BJ's
Okay - I am looking into the wholesale club membership.
Who likes which one and why?
Products?
Pizza?
Any and all feedback would be helpful, thanks!
Who likes which one and why?
Products?
Pizza?
Any and all feedback would be helpful, thanks!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Fasciotomy
Over the past 2 years of doing triathlons I have had little aches and pains.
Some haven driven me to see sports medicine doctors.
Some I am able to deal with.
First I had knee issues.
I saw Dr. Zaslav and Dr. Stadler over this.
Fortunately over the years as I have strengthened my quadricep, this has gotten SO much better. Sure from time to time it twinges, but it's not painful like it used to be.
The more recent injury has been the pain in my shin which last year was diagnosed as compartment syndrome. It's something I have always felt. I remember I used to hate speed walking with friends for exercise in college b/c it would make my shin hurt. Jogging actually felt better than walking!
As I have increased my training it has caused this pressure to build up enough to officially be diagnosed by Dr. Stadler. I spent some time in Physical Therapy with the great Jim Miller. This seemed to be working!
What is CECS?
Think of your muscle like a sausage. The meat being your muscle and the skin being your fascia. When everyone exercises your muscles require more oxygen and blood flow so they expand. Sometimes the fascia does not expand with your muscle cutting off blood flow and oxygen to that area. This is common in hands and legs.
I continued to take time off as I trained for Timerbman 70.3 - which during that race I had to walk up the hills because the shin was so swollen =(.
I took time off and slowly worked my way into marathon training. There were days I thought my leg was going to completely explode and there were days where it was manageable.
This winter I took it VERY easy. I haven't run much - enough to get me through. Unfortunately, the past month or so it has felt worse. My whole lower leg goes numb - it's so weird! I first started feeling it during my track workouts, but of course pretended it was my gait or something - which through this I think my gait is getting better although it still has a ways to go.
Then during the Monument 10k I had 2 issues - the stomach and the leg. I blamed everything on the stomach because I was too afraid of admitting how bad my leg hurt. I didn't tell anyone - not even IronGreg.
The following weekend I signed up to do the Ashland 10k. I wanted to work on nutrition and see how my stomach did. Well my stomach did a little better - still had issues, but not as bad. However, the leg was worse. And this time my friend Lizzy was running with me so there was no hiding my pain.
So on Monday after the race I called Dr. Zaslav to see if he knew anything else to help me out here. they asked me to come in right away when I was on the phone. Well, I work so I couldn't just get up and leave! So since I had Good Friday off I made my way in to go see him. We talked for a bit and he said that the reason at around mile 2 my foot was numb and by mile 4 my whole lower leg was because there was no blood or oxygen getting to that area - the furthest point away from the pressurized muscled first. he said I am a textbook case. And although Dr. Stadler and I have been doing everything right -it was obvious that the conservative methods of treating CECS (chronic exertional compartment syndrome) were just not working. And to make this go away once and for all - a fasciotomy.
So on April 28th I go in and have all my compartments tested, since only one has been tested so far. Afterwards I find out which compartments will be operated on and get all the pre-op informational meeting.
Then on April 30th I go in for the fasciotomy.
What is a fasciotomy?
Well - do not google it. I repeat do not google it. And if you do, beware it is not pretty pictures. Most pictures shown are emergency fasciotomies where it's just an ugly mess requiring grafting and all. That is not what is happening to me.
I will have 2 x 2" incisions on my shin where they go in and cut the fascia around my muscle. This will allow my muscle to expand when I exercise. It might look funny when it happens, but at least I will have blood and oxygen flowing to my leg!
He said I will have scars =(
I wonder if Costco sells Mederma!
What does this mean for Ironman Arizona training?
He wants to do the surgery right away to not get in the way of training too much. I will be on crutches at first. For the first 3 weeks I can't do anything. Although Coach G had a great point - that this is the time to clean out closets and such that I won't have time to do when training picks up!
After 10 days I get my stitches out.
After 3 weeks I can get back in the pool and on the stationary bike.
After 6 weeks I should be able to start running again. Albeit slowly.
So IMAZ is definitely still do-able. My training will focus on the swim and the bike and the run will be just to finish.
I am nervous because I have under had surgery, if you want to call it that, when getting my wisdom teeth out.
I am excited to be able to run again. The post run frustrations were really getting the best of me. I just want to be able to run. I was doing so well before all this.
I am not looking forward to the scars. =( But like IronGreg and my wonderful friends have said - they will be tough badass scars.
I will not be able to participate in the upcoming Rockett's Landing triathlon. But hopefully, I will be able to volunteer on teh run course with my other CZC volunteers!
So for the next 18 days I will be wearing skirts and heels as much as possible - I hope the weather cooperates with my fashion plan.
My first week back, my wonderful co-worker has agreed to take me to and from work everyday since it is my right leg so driving won't be possible at first. Many thanks to her in advance for that!
I will be accepting dog walkers - walking up and down 2 flights of stairs on crutches with a dog just doesn't sound fun, although I might win America's Funniest Home Videos!
And I have changed the date of my exam for post-op, so this will give me time when I can't train to focus on my LEED exam!
My fingers are tired of typing now.
Oh wait! I am drinking a hot chocolate now. Mmmmm Lent is over. Happy Easter!
Some haven driven me to see sports medicine doctors.
Some I am able to deal with.
First I had knee issues.
I saw Dr. Zaslav and Dr. Stadler over this.
Fortunately over the years as I have strengthened my quadricep, this has gotten SO much better. Sure from time to time it twinges, but it's not painful like it used to be.
The more recent injury has been the pain in my shin which last year was diagnosed as compartment syndrome. It's something I have always felt. I remember I used to hate speed walking with friends for exercise in college b/c it would make my shin hurt. Jogging actually felt better than walking!
As I have increased my training it has caused this pressure to build up enough to officially be diagnosed by Dr. Stadler. I spent some time in Physical Therapy with the great Jim Miller. This seemed to be working!
What is CECS?
Think of your muscle like a sausage. The meat being your muscle and the skin being your fascia. When everyone exercises your muscles require more oxygen and blood flow so they expand. Sometimes the fascia does not expand with your muscle cutting off blood flow and oxygen to that area. This is common in hands and legs.
I continued to take time off as I trained for Timerbman 70.3 - which during that race I had to walk up the hills because the shin was so swollen =(.
I took time off and slowly worked my way into marathon training. There were days I thought my leg was going to completely explode and there were days where it was manageable.
This winter I took it VERY easy. I haven't run much - enough to get me through. Unfortunately, the past month or so it has felt worse. My whole lower leg goes numb - it's so weird! I first started feeling it during my track workouts, but of course pretended it was my gait or something - which through this I think my gait is getting better although it still has a ways to go.
Then during the Monument 10k I had 2 issues - the stomach and the leg. I blamed everything on the stomach because I was too afraid of admitting how bad my leg hurt. I didn't tell anyone - not even IronGreg.
The following weekend I signed up to do the Ashland 10k. I wanted to work on nutrition and see how my stomach did. Well my stomach did a little better - still had issues, but not as bad. However, the leg was worse. And this time my friend Lizzy was running with me so there was no hiding my pain.
So on Monday after the race I called Dr. Zaslav to see if he knew anything else to help me out here. they asked me to come in right away when I was on the phone. Well, I work so I couldn't just get up and leave! So since I had Good Friday off I made my way in to go see him. We talked for a bit and he said that the reason at around mile 2 my foot was numb and by mile 4 my whole lower leg was because there was no blood or oxygen getting to that area - the furthest point away from the pressurized muscled first. he said I am a textbook case. And although Dr. Stadler and I have been doing everything right -it was obvious that the conservative methods of treating CECS (chronic exertional compartment syndrome) were just not working. And to make this go away once and for all - a fasciotomy.
So on April 28th I go in and have all my compartments tested, since only one has been tested so far. Afterwards I find out which compartments will be operated on and get all the pre-op informational meeting.
Then on April 30th I go in for the fasciotomy.
What is a fasciotomy?
Well - do not google it. I repeat do not google it. And if you do, beware it is not pretty pictures. Most pictures shown are emergency fasciotomies where it's just an ugly mess requiring grafting and all. That is not what is happening to me.
I will have 2 x 2" incisions on my shin where they go in and cut the fascia around my muscle. This will allow my muscle to expand when I exercise. It might look funny when it happens, but at least I will have blood and oxygen flowing to my leg!
He said I will have scars =(
I wonder if Costco sells Mederma!
What does this mean for Ironman Arizona training?
He wants to do the surgery right away to not get in the way of training too much. I will be on crutches at first. For the first 3 weeks I can't do anything. Although Coach G had a great point - that this is the time to clean out closets and such that I won't have time to do when training picks up!
After 10 days I get my stitches out.
After 3 weeks I can get back in the pool and on the stationary bike.
After 6 weeks I should be able to start running again. Albeit slowly.
So IMAZ is definitely still do-able. My training will focus on the swim and the bike and the run will be just to finish.
I am nervous because I have under had surgery, if you want to call it that, when getting my wisdom teeth out.
I am excited to be able to run again. The post run frustrations were really getting the best of me. I just want to be able to run. I was doing so well before all this.
I am not looking forward to the scars. =( But like IronGreg and my wonderful friends have said - they will be tough badass scars.
I will not be able to participate in the upcoming Rockett's Landing triathlon. But hopefully, I will be able to volunteer on teh run course with my other CZC volunteers!
So for the next 18 days I will be wearing skirts and heels as much as possible - I hope the weather cooperates with my fashion plan.
My first week back, my wonderful co-worker has agreed to take me to and from work everyday since it is my right leg so driving won't be possible at first. Many thanks to her in advance for that!
I will be accepting dog walkers - walking up and down 2 flights of stairs on crutches with a dog just doesn't sound fun, although I might win America's Funniest Home Videos!
And I have changed the date of my exam for post-op, so this will give me time when I can't train to focus on my LEED exam!
My fingers are tired of typing now.
Oh wait! I am drinking a hot chocolate now. Mmmmm Lent is over. Happy Easter!
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Recessionista Strikes Again
My colleague recently took advantage of the real estate market and last week she closed on her first home!The boxes are unpacked.
The rooms have been painted.
Next task: the yard.
As she begins to tell me what needs to be done, my "recessionista light bulb" lights up!
go get a cheap pair of heels and go for a walk around the yard - no need to pay someone to aerate the grass, when you can do it yourself with a pair of heels and some good wine!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)