Friday, February 24, 2012

Long Road Ahead

Well, today was MRI result day.  No real surprises.  I have disc desiccation and a minimal disc bulge.  The doc that I have been seeing was for my knee pain, so he is sending me on to a doctor the specializes in back pain.  My next appointment is March 12th.

I have mixed feelings about the findings.  I am glad that I am not crazy and this was not all in my head, but I think the road ahead of me is going to be longer than I expected.

I did get to the gym today and that made me feel great!  I know there is plenty of exercise that I can do to stay healthy and fit, but running is more to me than just exercise.  It is like freedom.  It helps me stay sane when everything else may be getting crazy.  It was about bonding with friends.  The few times I got to run with my girlfriends were some of my best runs.  It was seeing how proud my family was when I came in from a run or race.  It was mine!  It was the thing that I did, alone with my own thoughts and my favorite music.  I wrote a lot of these blogs in my head while running.

So what do I do now?  I wait until March 12th and hope I like what this doc will have to say.  I pray she can help me and quick!

Run strong, think  big!

13 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear this, Nicole. For what it's worth, you sound like you have a pretty positive attitude, and I think that's really admirable. This must be so frustrating. I hope you hear good things from the dr. on the 12th. Can you swim? When I had my awful, chronic injury that kept me from running for months, I took up swimming, and found that I loved it, and ended up starting doing triathlons. It's not the same as running, but I do love the meditative effect of moving back and forth in the water. Just a thought. Good luck, and stay positive!

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    1. I don't know how to swim, but it is on my list of things to learn. I am interested in tri's also. I think I may have to look into learning a little sooner than I planned. I do my best to stay positive! Have you any any problems since your injury? There is nothing worse than sitting on the side lines. I am signed up for the Jamestown 10k, but won't be running it.

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    2. I could barely make it one length of the pool when I first started swimming, but I signed up for a few classes at the Y, and within a few months, I was swimming a mile at a time. I still look back at that injury as a blessing in disguise, because it introduced me to a whole new sport, and made me get out of my comfort zone a little, both swimming in the pool and in the ocean. It took a long, long time for me to fully get over my injury - lots and lots of PT, lots of time off from running, an analysis of my running form, working on correcting my running form, and custom orthotics - but it was worth it. I feel like I'm a better runner, and a smarter runner for having gone through all that. I'm sorry the Jamestown 10K is out for you. It's so upsetting to have plans and not be able to follow through. Try to stay positive, and you will come out of this stronger and smarter, too.

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  2. I completely understand your mixed feelings. It's nice to know what you're up against, but it would have been nicer to be up against a hang nail, something way less serious. You are a runner, and you will continue to run. You'll be back, better and stronger. Keep up your other workouts. You're so lucky you already have other things to keep you moving. Cross training is one thing I never did until I got hurt. I'm already feeling the difference in my body, though. Keep your chin up!

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    1. Thanks Hot Mama! I am a runner and I will be a better runner when I get over this hurdle. I will continue with the cross training and like I said in the above comment, may learn to swim too.

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  3. I would feel the same way! It's so nice to have a diagnosis, but certainly wasn't the one you wanted to hear... I hope too that the other dr can help faster than you expect. Glad you can mix in some other exercise, but i know it's not the same.

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    1. Thanks Laura! Yeah it is not the same but I am happy I can still do the other exercise. I know I will be out there soon.

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  4. Hang in there. You'll be back to running before you know it. In the meantime this is a great opportunity to try some new classes at the gym:) Praying for a fast recovery:)

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  5. Glad you found out what the problem, good luck with what the doc says!!

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  6. Don't be discouraged you will be back running before you know it. Just stay focused on what is before you :) Maybe it's time to learn how to swim; I really enjoy swimming if I can't run because it is challenging and peaceful as well.

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    1. Thanks Kris, yes I think I will look into learning how to swim.

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