Well, I heard from an old friend today and she inadvertently reminded me that I haven't blogged in a while. In fact I haven't written anything since I hurt my back in May. So a quick update is due. As it turns out it was not a torn ligament, normally that would be good news. However, I'm not sure if the reality is better or worse. After a few weeks with little relief from the pain my PCP ordered an MRI of my back. The MRI revealed a small disc protrusion, which is esentially a herniated disc. It is not severe enough to require surgery which I'm am rejoicing about. To treat it I have had to go through a round of physical therapy.
I did my PT at Redbud in S.S. My therapist's name is Bethany. She's pretty nice and sort of a "jill of all trades." She went to cosmetology school in S.S. and then in college she took photography courses and of course she is also a physical therapist. She asked me about this little hole-in-the-wall Mexican place downtown and I didn't know what she was talking about. An hour later, at the end of my session, I realized she was talking about Tellie's. I never considered Tellie's a hole-in-the-wall kind of joint. I told her it was pretty good, and then I added the disclaimer that I haven't eaten there in eight years. She said she's going to try it soon, I hope I didn't send her to a horrible lunch experience.
Back to my PT, it seems to have done quite a bit of good. I'm not 100% better yet, but 50-70% for sure. The downside is that the therapy regiment seems to have either caused or intensified bursitis in my hip. The doc shot me with cortisone on Wednesday and said it will take a few days to take effect. Then he wants to give me a week or so to let my hip calm down before deciding if I need to continue PT. I think I need to since I'm not really disciplined enough to continue doing the work on my own.
Exactly how much has PT helped? When I bend over at the waist and hang my hands straight down as if trying to touch my toes(which I just tried to spell tows..lol) I have gained almost a foot of flexibility in two weeks. That is a huge number. I have also gained movement in every other direction, I'm just not sure of the exact numbers.
Once again I have been convinced to attend camp with our teenagers at church. I'll be at Falls Creek all week. I pray that God provides good health and nice weather throughout the week. I have yet to have a year of camp without injuring myself, one more and I think Rusty will force me to live in one of those plastic bubble things. I also hope that God is able to use me this week and that my MS doesn't cause me problems.
Speaking of MS, if you're the praying type of person, I have a friend that is facing a possible diagnosis of the disease. I wouldn't wish this on anyone and I pray that God would heal her body wholly and completely.
It is kind of odd though, because of the similarities in our lives. I have a great-aunt with MS, she has an uncle with MS, we are the same age, we went to the same schools, and we grew up on the same street. If in fact she is diagnosed with the disease, the family history certainly presents the argument for gentics being the culprit for this disease. Although many researchers say it isn't genetic. But we also grew up in essentially the same environment. Which presents a case for those that say the cause is environmental. Either way, if she is indeed diagnosed with MS, maybe somebody should do a study on our lives. Who knows, they just might figure something out.
Okay, now that I've thoroughly covered so many topics I think I'll really go start packing. I said I was going to do this a while ago, but once again I have demonstrated my ability to procrastinate.
Wishing you all good health and may God bless you all,
