I’ve been to more medical appointments in the last 3 weeks than in my entire lifetime. This week I went back to my second home 🏡 , RAI (Radiology Affiliates Imaging) - this time for a bone 🦴 density scan.
It was quick and painless - much like an X-ray (and thankfully not at all like an MRI). I also had a full battery of blood 💉 tests done, so got to go to Darin’s home away from home 😉, LabCorp (he’s had to get a lot of blood drawn the last few months because of his gout 🦶🏼 diagnosis).
Now we wait...Dr. Wenger wants to rule out any metabolic / hormonal issues / other contributing factors to the stress fracture. I told him during our last appointment that this was my first ever serious injury and he emphatically yelled “AND YOUR LAST!” 😉👏🏼🥳
Our awesome PT, Matt James, encouraged me to continue to try to do upper body / arm strength workouts with exercise bands (my first go at that this week had me sweating 😅 profusely even though I was lying down), and along with Coach Meghan and Dr. Wenger’s advice, to continue to try to swim as much as possible.
I was fortunate to get into the pool 🏊🏻♀️ twice this week (pool lane appointment slots are at a premium because of covid restrictions and the terrible winter weather 🌨 ❄️ ).
Despite all that, I definitely miss my daily injection of exercise induced endorphins, and that coupled with the terribly cold and snowy weather we’ve had this month, as well as continuing to digest the seriousness of my injury, I definitely feel like my mental health took a hit this week. There were definitely some tears 😥😭...
Coach Meghan, aka the Queen 👑 , has been absolutely brilliant in that regard, and has cheered me on and lifted me up and made my cry with love and laughter multiple times the last few weeks...here’s a small piece (shared with her permission of course) of her daily encouragement and support.
I had confided in her how jealous seeing people out running was making me...of course she inspired me to see the greater good - (feeling their joy instead of wanting to scream obscenities out the car window 🤣) !
Darin and I saw a few runners out yesterday, and I actually thought to myself, “Good for them! They’re out there in the cold 🥶 and they’re doing the damn thing!" So a big thank you to “The Queen” 👑 for helping to shift my attitude. ☺️🤩😍 I’ve come to see how injury really brings out the worst in me. It’s not a good look, and I’m so grateful for Darin‘s support and patience. I‘ve truly been a bit of a monster... 👿
So now, more waiting for the results of the bone density scan and bloodwork. ⏳ I continue to battle my own neuroses, fear of gaining 💯 pounds (I mean, to be fair - it really is a lot of ice cream 🍦 you guys 🤣), feeling useless and weak, and fighting the urge to put any weight on my right leg (living in a 3 story house and being on crutches definitely poses its own set of challenges).
A good friend advised me to rest and recover as hard (if not harder) than I trained. I once read that ultra running is 90% mental, and the other 10% is all in your head. 🧠🤪 I’m quickly realizing that dealing with injury from ultra running is no different. 🤷🏼♀️
Watch this space for more test results, and my repeated attempts at trying to become a lap swimming enthusiast (without the use of my legs...it’s harder than I could’ve ever imagined). Xoxo, J 🌼
Marathon des Sables 2022
Sahara Strong: Conquering the Sand to End Childhood Cancers Together
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