Not So Minor Setback

I am pissed!

So angry I have cried.

On Wednesday, last week, I arranged to have my first swim lesson.  On Thursday, I went to the pool to get my face in the water and just continue to get used to it until said lesson.

I had a fantastic swim/workout.  I used the board, the buoy, swam freestyle and back stroke.  I was  feeling great!  Somewhere around my sixteenth lap I was swimming freestyle and when I was lifting my arm I felt an awful twist in the upper part of my arm/shoulder.  I made it out of the pool and home fine, but knew I was hurt. By that evening, I couldn't move very well.

You think!

Friday night was the worst. I was up all night.  There wasn't one position that was comfortable and the pain was continuous.  Somewhere around 5:30 am, I finally fell asleep on my sofa.  At 9 am. the kids came down and woke me up. Oh shoot, guess Gracie is missing basketball since it starts at 9.

Saturday was also George's first Pinewood Derby. I did not want to miss it, so I popped a couple ibuprofen, did my best to get dressed and let's not even talk about my hair.

Mr. RWM and George had to be there for the car inspection, so Gracie and I had a little extra time before we had to leave. That was a good thing, since moving my right arm was just not happening.  Did I mention I am right handed?

Since this was George's first Pinewood Derby, I did not think we would be there very long.  It's not that I didn't have faith in him and his car, I was just thinking the kids with more experience would do a little better.  I was wrong.

George's car came in second place! We were all just so excited and we took him out to celebrate.  He choose Moe's for lunch, his new favorite place.  I did my best to sit with everyone and talk but I couldn't even bring a fork to my mouth.  I was on the verge of tears and decided that I needed to go to the emergency room.  So that is what we did.

X-rays were taken. I was swollen at this point all the way down to my fingers.  I left in a sling with three prescriptions.

Bottom line, I have a strain/sprain in my shoulder.  Makes sense. I was using parts of my body that I don't usually use and I over did it that day.  The fact that I am lacking in basic swimming techniques did not help me either.

Why didn't I just wait to have my lesson?  I wish I could do it over but I can't. What do I do now? Well, as of today I am in Physical Therapy, again!  Six weeks is what the doctor said, I am hoping for four but I won't push myself too soon.  I am going to do everything I can to get back in the pool and continue training for the Rhode Warrior. I am not counting myself out yet!

The plan is PT twice a week.  She will do an electrical treatment, massage and give me exercises to strengthen those muscles.  No swimming. No weights, as least not on the right side.

I can still run and bike as long as I am comfortable so that is what I will do.  I will get in that pool and I will swim a mile.  I just hope it is by the time August 24th comes around.

I am already feeling better and can move my arm more than I could a few days ago. Mentally, I am a bit of a mess though.  That may be my biggest challenge with this one.  I will do my best to stay strong and to do what I can with the tools that I have.  I will get better and as of right now, I plan to be at the starting line of the Rhode Warrior.  Any advice you can offer, I would love to hear.

On a positive note, I would like to congratulate George on such an awesome pinewood derby car. Mr. RWM was adamant that he do most of the work himself.  We can truly say that beside two cuts with the table saw, George did it all! We are so very proud of him.

Love that smile!

And for those of you who haven't seen this yet, I was interviewed by Adam Bate of the Lifestyle Accountability Show last week for their daily podcast. It aired today.  I am episode 151.

I was a little nervous and said a few stupid things which may make you laugh, but for the most part I am very happy with it.  I hope you enjoy it too.  One correction, obviously, my 70.3 is August and not April.

Ok, well, let me know what you think of the podcast and please give me any shoulder recovery advice you may have.

Run Strong, Think Big! ~ Nicole