Sunday, August 30, 2009

5K, Painful Knee, Pretty Flowers

Thursday evening Sweet Pea and I did the Fun in the Forest 5K in Forest Lake. (Race details on Don's Make It a Masterpiece blog.)

I wore my new NIKE stability shoes. The first couple of times I wore them last week, my knees ached in the night. Hmmmm.

This past week I went to a FOURTH (!) medical specialist: a sports doctor at a University of Minnesota clinic. He affirmed all the past diagnoses. Said they could all be caused by my pelvis being twisted when I fell last April, and referred me to a manual therapist. Late September is the earliest appointment available.

Now this knee thing is getting ridiculous. I'd like to scrap the whole matter and just go running, but my right calf is swollen, right thigh is swollen, knee is painfully swollen all the time (sometimes very stiff), and I am concerned about doing further damage. Yes, I stretch, do exercises, massage, rest, get good sleep, take a pile of supplements, and try to get advice from anyone who will listen.

This week: back to the internist, another visit with our naturopathic doctor, a race, and continuing everything in the previous paragraph.

Below: cheerful portion of tonight's post!
Myeloma conference Friday and Saturday in Minneapolis was fabulous. Check out Don's blog:
myelomahope.blogspot.com/.

10 comments:

Unknown said...

how frustrating that you can't get into the manual therapist until late september!

Sunshine said...

Oh, thank you! Yes...

ShirleyPerly said...

I can't imagine how frustrated you must be. But it sounds like maybe the new shoes have aggravated things?

Backofpack said...

I don't blame you for being cranky about your knee - it's been a long time! Plus, it sounds like it's worse than you are letting on and probably keeping you from other things besides running (what? there are other things?) Hang in there and keep your positive attitude up. You've used it to good ends with Don, use it for yourself too. You'll get through this!!

Elaine Merrill said...

Oh, dear Sunshine, hang in there. I know you will recover fully in time. It's the "in time" part that is so hard to take. It's good you're getting further medical attention.

Unknown said...

I can understand the frustration. Time will heal. You might want to consider cross training until its get better.

Sunshine said...

Well, the last time I rode a bike I fell while trying to dismount and skinned my knees.
I'm allergic to the water treatments in pools.
But I walk, I do love doing Tai Chi, I do workouts suggested by my therapist, and our house has 3 floors and lots of stairs.
In 4 long months I have pretty much considered the possibilities, but I appreciate your interest.

Sunshine said...

PS to Ted (continuing comment above) Thanks for the encouragement to list all my cross training... And add to the list, free weight workouts, of course, and moving around the kitchen cooking 3 meals from scratch every day. (See pictures on Don's blogs.)

Margaret said...

Where do you find the time to do all of these things? Sunshine, you must write a book! Title suggestion: "How to do everything...and MORE!"

Sunshine said...

That is a fantastic and precious comment.. coming from someone who does so MUCH, Margaret!

And of course, thanks to everybody who has been around these long 4 months. :-)