Mom's turn: AWESOME IN-LAWS

My in-laws are fabulous! My DD got super sick requiring a hospital visit (all is fine now :-D) and I called for help because Travis was out of town; they were there instantly! They helped with dinner for Mao and surprised me by cleaning our front yard and driveway while we were in the ER…wow!!! What a sweet treat to come home to. Now we can actually see the beautiful azaleas starting to bloom and Travis has more bags for the compost piles!! Thanks guys!!! Love you.

Sick Day

I spent the second part of my holiday break sick! It was terrible. I had my friend Brenna spend the night, and the next morning I woke up and couldn’t breath. My mom took me to the doctor as soon as they opened. They poked, jabbed, drew blood and took chest x-rays and finally came to the conclusion that I had the flu. NOT FUN! I had it for an entire week. It was hard to breath and my eyes ached, and I just felt extremely puny.

Although they didn’t give me a prescribed pill I took a lot of stuff to help me feel better. My mom got me 2 types of Theraflu, a pill and a hot drink mix, I took Advil every six hours, my regular vitamins plus a vitamin water, and hot mint tea. That's the miracle drink when I am sick. And thank the Lord I’m feeling great now!

Mom's turn: And the doctor said...

I decided to give myself a round of doctor’s visit for my birthday – how masochistic is that, right?!?!?!?! I figured if I did it then I might actually remember to do them annually like you’re supposed to…and what better way to stay healthy and have even MORE birthdays. SOOOO – I started out with the eye doctor figuring that would be the least painful.

waiting prooved to be the most painful part

When I called to make the appointment they informed me that my previous doctor had retired and moved to Colorado several years ago…oh. Well that was embarrassing – tells you just how long it’s been since I’ve had an exam.

torture device of choice

So I asked them to recommend someone else. Thankfully everything is fine – no glasses necessary! My eyes are great!! WAHOOO…that seems to be one thing that is holding up on me with age :-/

However there is nothing quite like trying to drive home with dialated pupils...hmmm, perhaps next time I ought to enlist my HH as my chauffeur :-D

Mom's turn:I Had a Bad Day

Today Samson & O’Malley went to the vet for their annual vaccinations and, for Samson, a teeth cleaning. In order for Samson to get his teeth taken care of he must be go under general anesthesia, which means no nummies in the morning (how rude) and a very groggy and disoriented afternoon. He also had a small skin tag on his side and this was the perfect opportunity to have it removed. Now he is home feeling rather battered and bruised from his excursions with scalpels, needles, and teeth scalers – OH MY. This will require some extra love tonight!

Dog Gone Boot!

I am back in the boot again! Shucks!!

This time I have a high ankle sprain. It is on the same foot, my right ankle, only last time it was a fracture. Personally I think the high ankle sprain hurts a lot worse. Hopefully I wont have to stay in the boot for too long.

Mom's turn: A Date with Disaster!

Today started with smiles,

me getting off of the Red Lady Express lift at the top of Houston

Christina ready for another day on the slopes

gorgeous weather,

me and Travis...still the faceless HH

Karson & Kay

and lots of time on the slopes…

more giggling girl shots

we heard from the locals that they had record setting snow fall up here this year. How exciting to be a part of that!! We even got to see and take pictures with Bubby & Better Bear, uh…on the other camera. Unfortunately we ended up in the medical clinic after our last run of the day!! Christina fell yesterday during one of the snow storms and hurt her wrist – by this afternoon, and one more tumble later, it was unbearable. SOOO – off to the doctor for x-rays…and the diagnoses of a fractured wrist at the growth plate.

OH MOM...don't put THAT on the blog!!!!!

The good news is that a fracture at the growth plate does not require casting in children, only splinting, and after a good night’s rest she can be back on the slopes tomorrow. We will be avoiding the free ski terrain area though!

Mom's turn: Running with the Kenyans

…okay, well maybe with them isn’t quite an accurate declaration. More like just in the same race as they are in would be a better statement!! The Kenyans usually run, uh WIN, the CCC; it’s used as an international qualifier for many other events. My family and I are running for our health – that’s a funny concept because since I’ve been running I’ve had more injuries trying to get “healthy” than when I was content to be a couch potato and sleep in on weekends!!

SOOOO – with all of my new found injuries, I have discovered quite a bit about the running mechanics of shoes.

More bars in more places...a new way to communicate

(Teeny's, mine, Travis')

It amazes me that the Kenyans can run barefoot through the desert and I have to log mileage on my shoes to be sure that I replace them in time and avoid more injuries!! For people who are prone to injuries it is recommended that you replace your shoes every 300 miles.

Nothing's better than the smell of new shoes!!!

(mine, Teeny's, Travis')

Also, you should alternate shoes on consecutive running days; in other words always have two pair by the treadmill.

the "alternate" pairs

(mine & Travis')

I put so much energy into the thought process of my training you would think I was a champion of some sort instead of the over one-hour 10k seeded runner that I am!!

the retired pairs, used only for walking or hiking (or in Teeny's case - thrown away all together so the smell would stop infiltrating the rest of the house!!!!)

Travis', Teeny's & , mine

For my foot and knee issues – the shoes that I need are the Asics GEL-Nimbus; they provide more cushion and enhance the foot’s natural gait, in turn helping my knee track better. Along with my fancy shoes I wear a knee brace while I run.

Teeny’s are the MIZUNO Wave Inspire to help control her over-pronation problems…which aggravates the shin muscle and makes her more likely to get shin splints and twist her ankles. Definitely NOT what we need since she has already suffered a broken ankle this soccer season! So along with her super shoes she wears an ankle brace while she runs.

Travis started with extra control shoes because he has flat feet and had issues with plantar fascitis, but after cortisone injections and foot binding he has improved and moved up to the MIZUNO Wave Inspire like Teeny. He doesn’t get to run with any funny looking stuff like me and Teeny…hmmm, somehow that doesn’t seem fair!

a shmorgesborg of foot oder

So, looking stylish with all of our nerdy running gear, we have a race tomorrow and the weather is supposed to be freezing and raining - oh boy!!!!!!!! Whose idea was this running stuff anyway?? I'm not even sure Travis will be able to run because he pulled his Achill's tendon on Wednesday's training run (nothing but ice for him). We are on the Tyler-Possa team with my friend and the race is the Komen's run for the Cure (to benefit cancer research); I believe in torturing myself for a purpose! It helps remind me that I'm strong and able bodied and that life is great in spite of all of my injuries! And with that in mind, hopefully I can make a difference for those who are not quite as fortunate.

Samson says, "where are mine...I'm ready to run!"

Mom's turn: FABULOUS feet

Loving the Frankinstien affect!!!!

WOHOOO – I’m in party shoes and running again :-D

every girl needs a pair of peep-toe pumps

Don’t ask if I’m supposed to be yet…let’s not go there! It feels great to be “back in the saddle again” so to speak. However I’ve already lost precious, hard earned distance off of my weekly mileage – frustrating as a runner always trying to improve your personal best. My goal is to run the Crescent City Classic in March right at an hour…THERE, I said it to everyone – can’t take it back now!! Gotta love accountability, UGH! SOOOO, on to the training – counting on lots of new things to help me get motivated and make up for down time.

hmmm, I see new shoes in my future :-D

In the mean time – I need to get up out of the “CHAIR” and Run Forest, RUN!!!!!!

Look...it's the Bionic Woman!

Mom's turn: This little piggy...

Okay - well I'm still on the mend and recovery has not been nearly as fast as I had hoped for. It's been almost five weeks and I'm still a bit gimpy and unable to run or bike. There is a fair amount of bruising left and quite a bit of tenderness both on top and bottom - which was surprising to me considering how well I've behaved...well almost :-DAs my girlfriend said "OH NO YOU DIDN"T!" Oh yes I did *grin* Somehow the gimpy walk took away all the "sexy" that the shoes might have brought to the outfit! HAHA And then I came down with severe food poisoning as a direct result of my night out...serves me right I guess! I wasn't able to get on my feet for another 4 days afterwards!!!! ARGH!

Mom's turn: ON THE MEND

Well – I went to the doctor for my post-op check up and to get the stitches out. He commended me on what a “good girl” I had been during my recovery time because my foot looked so great…who was I to correct him *grin*

Okay – honestly I have tried to be good:

I have rested,

and slept,and rested,and changed views,and rested more…till I was tired of resting and Samson said “enough”!!There is only so much laying down that one person can take!

So with stitches out the doc gave me the “okay” to get the foot wet. I came home and my darling hubby made a foot soak for my piggies…ahhhhh, that felt great! Can I run yet??? Um, that would be a NO! So the frustration mounts as I rest some more.

Mom's turn: Foot fetish

Feet are one of those things you don’t give a whole lot of thought to until something goes wrong. I have discovered I love my feet!!! They have taken me thousands of miles over the past thirty-ummm years.

Happy feet

However about three years ago I developed some pain while walking on the ball of my foot. It felt as if a lightening bolt was sent down to the tip of my fourth toe on my right foot every time I rolled over the ball of my foot. This sensation came and went, though, so I didn’t seek medical attention as I was unsure how to discuss something that wasn’t there with a doctor. Finally – fortunately or unfortunately, depending on my mood for the day – the pain stayed constant most of the time and I was able to have the podiatrist look at it.

He diagnosed me as having a Morton’s Neuroma, a condition most often seen in women because they wear high heeled and/or tight fitting shoes. Well – for anyone who knows me knows this is not my case…I live for Crocs, flip-flops (preferably with sparkles), Birkenstocks, bare feet, or my very well-fitting running shoes. So the initial therapy of “changing to proper fitting shoes” was not a great starting point. Next on his list of treatments was an orthoses, or a “custom shoe insert and pad also help relieve irritation by lifting and separating the bones, reducing the pressure on the nerve.” This worked for my running and cycling shoes initially, but when the nerve was flared up that didn’t even help. Not to mention – this did not work for flip-flops and they are a must during the summer in the South.

So then we moved on the final option…surgery.

Love the betadine tan

I was not very thrilled with this alternative as it leaves me laid up for several weeks and unable to train for my running or cycling events! So we planned it after one of our major annual events, the MS Tour for Cure (see previous blog) – and now here I sit. I guess it’s a good thing – although I haven’t gotten that far in my recovery to really feel that way. My surgeon said it was “the biggest neuroma I’ve ever seen.” Hmm…do I get a booby-prize for that?

I do have the best care-givers in the world assuring my comfort every moment of my recovery. My hubby has been making sure I can get a peek of the awesome weather by helping me outside,

the window opens in our bedroom to the back yard - weather was perfect

my daughter has been wonderful at checking on me and caring for our fur-babies, and my dog has been the guardian of the ice-pack…not letting anyone near his injured mom’s foot!

Samson wondering why I won't play

And of course grandma has sent over wonderfully prepared food dishes so we can rest with full bellies. I have also come to the conclusion that boo-boos feel better wrapped in love…I’ve spent the better part of this week wrapped up in a beautiful quilt my friend made for me. It must have magic in it; it takes all the pain away!

The "Pretty Purple Quilt" - handmade by a super-crafty friend

Thanks to all of my family and fabulous friends for checking on me, helping me smile, and sending me love.

Look at that stylish boot!!!

I am supposed to be down for 4-6 weeks - able to run and cycle in hopefully 8. Trying to behave myself...check for updates :-D

Mom's turn: Biker's WHAT!?!?!?!?!

Well – we had a pretty good ride today in spite of the rain and then heat, getting faster...but so is everyone else so I still feel like I'm the back of the pack :-/ somewhat frustrating. I am also suffering from "biker's backache" - a condition caused by weak psoas muscles...requiring steps to " strengthen and stretch in all the right places... simultaneously build[ing] strength in your stabilizing muscles, such as the abs and back, and lengthen the tight muscle chains in your hips and legs," with yoga- and Pilates-style exercises recommended. Apparently this happens when you "over train, trying to get better strength and performance, you may override this balance. Running (particularly sprinting) may overdevelop and tighten the hamstrings. The pull of these muscles on the pelvis as you ride passes stresses along to the spine. You need to develop the muscles along the front of the spine -- the 'tenderloin' psoas muscles in front of the spine and the abdominal muscles." OH GOODIE! Who would have thought one set of tiny muscles could cause so many problems.

There's the culprit...but aren't they an awesome looking pair!

More information can be read at these sites:
http://www.bicycling.com/article/0,6610,s1-4-22-14977-1,00.html

http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/goodies/backache.htm