|
Author: miranda
Date: 08-11-04 12:58
Basically, no results yet. X-rays, referrals to orthopedic specialists, and a lot of "joint manipulation," but no definitive answers. Unfortunately, however, all of the solutions mentioned at this stage involve lots of needles in my knees. I am not fond of needles anywhere in my body, but I especially don't like them in my joints. I declined the cortisone shot offered yesterday, because I am a coward, using the orthopedics appt. next week as an excuse (my doctor was not fooled).
The weirdest thing about this for me is that I really miss the walking I did before my knees sabotaged me. The fresh air, the exertion, the mood-lifting effect--I never thought I would ever enjoy any exercise at all, and here I am missing it. The inspiration I got from people on this board who exercise despite time constraints and physical problems played a big part in my starting to walk, and has helped to keep me fighting this knee thing.
Since my family is going on a reunion trip to the Aspen, Colorado area a couple weeks from now, I will probably grit my teeth, get cortisone shots next week, and pass out and give the doctors a laugh, because I really want to do some hiking. And to be able to run from any mountain lions I meet up with.
Film at 11.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
miranda
230/169.5/145
"I don't need to compromise my principles, because they don't have the slightest bearing on what happens to me anyway."--Bill Watterson, "Calvin and Hobbes"
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: BFL Michelle
Date: 08-11-04 15:05
lol Miranda...get the shot. What are the other options? Surgery? What about physical therapy? Did the doc say it would do any good?
139/104/104 - 5'1
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: miranda
Date: 08-11-04 15:28
My doctor didn't say much of anything, except to mention all the exciting needle-in-the-knee options available these days--I think she's leaving treatment recommendations to the orthopedic specialist. I'll have to wait until next week when I see the specialist, I guess. While examining my leg, my doctor did mutter something like "you've got some crepitude here," but I think that just means that my knee makes terrible grinding noises when it bends. She mutters a lot--she's about 110 years old, and a bit crotchety, but at least she's competent, so I guess she's entitled to mutter.
At least she's not yelling "Lose some weight!" at me anymore as I leave the office.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
miranda
230/169.5/145
"I don't need to compromise my principles, because they don't have the slightest bearing on what happens to me anyway."--Bill Watterson, "Calvin and Hobbes"
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Eric
Date: 08-12-04 07:39
Oh Miranda!
At least you are keeping you sense of humor about all this. I'll bet it makes you feel great to know that I am laughing at your suffering! Well, actually, I'm laughing at your description of the suffering.
I keep telling you, a bicycle is much easier on the joints Miranda. And you can still get plenty of fresh air, exert yourself, and you will surely lift your mood.
I'm sure my wife would loan you her bike for a test drive and I would be glad to help you. We are just down the street you know. How long has it been since you've been on a bike?
Just something to think about...
Eric
I intend to live forever.....So far so good!
272/ /188 1.5 lbs. this week. I dare not say till the cast comes off
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: miranda
Date: 08-12-04 09:39
I've been given something new to think about--one of my brothers pointed out to me yesterday that if I refuse any quick fix, painful as it might be, I will be stuck at the resort with my mother. All alone. For hours and hours. While everybody else goes hiking.
Bring on the needles!
P.S. Eric--I love to bike, but haven't been on one in years. I would have a bike right now if I didn't live in the Oakland Hills, where it's either terrifying descents or agonizing steep grades. But it just now occurred to me that I could drive somewhere else where the terrain is a bit more gentle. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it some serious thought.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
miranda
230/169.5/145
"I don't need to compromise my principles, because they don't have the slightest bearing on what happens to me anyway."--Bill Watterson, "Calvin and Hobbes"
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: BFL Michelle
Date: 08-12-04 10:02
Can can relate to this new developement.
Like I said GET THE SHOT! :)
139/104/104 - 5'1
Post Edited (08-12-04 10:02)
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Eric
Date: 08-12-04 12:27
Do give it some thought. I'm serious about my offer to help you with this endeavor and let you test drive my wife's bike one day. We could meet somewhere level...The Alameda creek trail is very nice...and you could try it out,
I could transport two bikes, if you are tall we could take three bikes and my wife could go too. Give it some thought. I'll give you all my info so you could do the background check to make sure that I'm not an axe murderer.
Eric
I intend to live forever.....So far so good!
272/ /188 1.5 lbs. this week. I dare not say till the cast comes off
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Author: Doug
Date: 08-12-04 15:18
Is there a bike trail that runs by a beach anywhere near you?
If there is it would have to be flat.
I have a couple of bicycle related suggestions:
1 - Even if you are going to be riding it on the street all the time get a mountain bike. They are not as fragile and have lower pressure tires that seem to go flat less often. They require a little more effort to ride at a certain speed but the whole point of this is to get exercise and you are not in a race. They are also more comfortable since you do not hunch over as much. Mountain bikes have a wider gear ratio too. This means that when you are in a low gear it is low enough to make riding up steep hills (albeit slowly) possible.
I think some companies sell "comfortable bikes" that have wider and better padded seats and an even more upright riding posture. They were kind of hard to find when I was looking at a bike though. And be sure to check how low the gears go if you get this type.
2 - Unless you own a big SUV or truck, get a bike rack. Yes, it will make you look Yuppie but without one transporting a bike can be such a pain it will discourage you from riding.
3 - If you can afford to, go to a bike shop instead of a big mass market store. I paid a little more because I did this but the assistance in finding the right size bike with the features I wanted was easily worth it. They also setup the bike and if you buy it from them many of these shops will perform minor adjustments for free if you are not a do it yourself type. They will probably install a bike rack for you too but I would expect to be charged a little for this. None of this is real hard but at a big mass market store you are on your own. The first bike shop I went too was real elitist and tried to tell me I needed to spend $1000. I went to a different shop and got what I considered a great bike for about 1/3 that. It paid to shop around.
Doug 272/164/170
|
|
Reply To This Message
|
|
Click here
for a great cookbook
with quick & healthy
recipes
Weight Lifting
For Absolute Beginners:
Illustrated Guide
CLICK HERE
|
