The days are getting shorter.
Bed rest has caused me to really notice the lengthening and shortening of the days. For the first time ever, I associate solstices and time changes with emotions rather than notes on my calendar.
Post-op, my physical therapist assigned me to take three walks each day, starting at 15 minutes and working my way up. Over time, I've arrived at 35 minutes per walk. It's tough to get three walks in each day - to space them far enough apart so that I'm not injured, but close enough that the light doesn't run out on me. During the winter, I could never fit in three walks by sunset. I spent every night walking the streets, looking forward to spring so that I could walk without four layers and a flashlight.
I walk religiously, and meticulously. Early on my PT declared my gait was totally wrong, and we spent the better part of February and March perfecting it. I graduated from my stiff, lumbar-pulling march to a glut-powered stride that is both ergonomically correct and energy efficient. Changing my gait eliminated all hip pain and a significant amount of sciatica, and I thus I am extremely proud of it. I also use it as evidence that sometimes the little things add up.
Walking is oddly liberating, and I think I took it for granted before surgery (meaning, all my life). I used to find walks and hikes decidedly boring, but now that my strolls are essentially choreographed, it seems easier. I may even go so far as to say that my walks are the highlights of my day.
However, I will not mourn their loss when I reclaim running as my chief form of exercise.
photo credit: http://www.biosphere-expeditions.org/images/stories/tasters/walk.jpg
JT,
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you, but I'm so sorry to hear about your back issues. Mine were much less severe than yours sound, and boy did they suck. The pain showed up after our return from the States this summer. On the plane Ella would only sleep in my arms, which had me in a very awkward position for an eight-hour overnight flight. Inflammation in my back caused a condition just like sciatica, only it was the nerve above the sciatic nerve that was pinched, so the pain radiated down my quad to my left knee instead of the foot. As you know, there's no pain like nerve pain.
One month and lots of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs later, I wasn't any better and was desperate enough to see my wife's aunt's chiropractor. There are a lot of MDs in my extended family, and I was raised to believe that chiropractors are dangerous quacks who will permanently screw you up mucking about with your spine. Two treatments and my nerve problem was solved. The only issue now is muscular; the muscles were essentially clenched tight for a month and I'm seeing a PT a couple of times a week to work on getting them relaxed to get rid of residual pain and stiffness.
Right now it's just good to be near 100% again since it's getting very late in the pregnancy and with a two-year-old running loose, at least one of us has to be useful (and fast on our feet).
Drop me a line and let me know what else is going on with you -- it's a bit awkward to try to get everything into one comment. My email is my first name plus my last name plus "jr" at gmail. If you're interested I can send you an invite to the unanonymized family blog too.
Cheers and best wishes for rehab,
RB
You are at least lucky in the sense that you have one of the most beautiful places on the planet to go for a walk. Hopefully those peaceful walks give you happy thoughts.
ReplyDelete--Your cousin Richard