Bone Thugs-N-Lack of Harmony...
A few weeks ago, my sports med doc, Dr. Wenger, told me to get in for an X-ray, then once insurance was approved, an MRI. I thought he told me to go to โREIโ for all my imaging and I was like ๐ค โWow, they really DO have everything! I can buy a kayak ๐ฃ๐ผโโ๏ธ , camping meals ๐ฝ, trail shoes, go rock climbing ๐ง๐ผโโ๏ธ, AND get my imaging done all in the same place.โ ๐คฃ I of course misheard him and he had actually said โRAIโ (Radiology Affiliates Imaging)...but lol ๐.
Key historical sidenote: when Darin and I were engaged he wanted to register at REI. I was aghast and said no. ๐ฌ๐ Haha. When we registered for the Marathon Des Sables in early 2020, and could actually go to stores (in the โbefore timesโ) we spent hours upon hours at REI testing out sleeping bags and trying out trekking poles and headlamps. It only took me twenty years to admit the error in my ways...curled up on the latest lightweight sleeping pad on the storeroom floor, I confessed to D, โyou know we reallyyyyy shouldโve registered at REI! My badโ! ๐คฃ (Darin now thinks we shouldโve actually just registered at RAI ๐คฃ - lol those insurance deductibles!!๐ฑ๐คฆ๐ผโโ๏ธ๐ฉ)
So after making multiple visits to RAI (my new home away from home...Iโm actually headed there shortly for a bone density scan...they know me there now ๐คฃ - itโs my own personal โCheersโ ๐ป bar) the MRI results came in last week...and it was pretty harrowing news ๐ฐ.
(Lori tucked me in with a blanky which was awesome! But I definitely had to employ the use of ๐ yogic breathing to get through that MRI, and I donโt even consider myself claustrophobic. I think having to wear the mask ๐ท lying down was the hardest bit...)
The verdict: So, youโre looking at a 50% femoral neck stress fracture and labral tear. My doctor ๐จ๐ปโโ๏ธ said many other physicians would be scheduling surgery to have screws ๐ฉ๐ฉ put in ASAP. That really shook me. Guess that explains the excruciating pain, treadmill tears, excessive limping, and inability to sleep due to the horrific pain the last month or so (I thought it was garden variety insomnia). ๐ฌ๐๐ Honestly, I assumed running was just SUPPOSED to hurt that bad... ๐คท๐ผโโ๏ธ๐โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ โ
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Weโve compiled the best team ever in our sports medicine doc, PT, running coach, and soon to be nutritionist ... and I will likely be on crutches for another ~6-8 weeks. #teamworkmakesthedreamwork๐ฏ Will try to swim ๐๐ปโโ๏ธ (though doc says no kicking or pushing off the wall - so Iโve discovered the glorious pull buoy - with the help of โThe Childโ - see pic below -) and do some upper body strength training in the meantime.
Also, Iโve been prescribed a pint of ice cream a day with Dr. Wengerโs now famous โBen & Jerryโs dietโ ๐ฆ - ๐ #mostfavoritedoctorever ๐ฅ๐๐ฅณ
The day after my MRI results came in, my incredibly thoughtful friend, Alli Pearl, had all this ice cream delivered to our front door๐ช! Best.๐๐ผ Get.๐๐ผ Well.๐๐ผ Soon.๐๐ผ Gift.๐๐ผ Ever๐๐ผ!๐
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Morale could definitely be higher; Going from 50-60 mile weeks/6 days a week to absolutely zero and being confined to crutches isnโt ideal, but Iโm trying to be grateful for bones that heal, and not having to undergo surgery. ๐๐ผ๐๐ง๐ผโโ๏ธ
Thank you for all your lovely words of support and encouragement! ๐ค Canโt wait to get back out there training, but for now am cheering ๐ฃ D on, and taking your favorite ice cream ๐จ brand / flavor recs! ๐๐คฃ We will be ready to crush the MDS IN 2022! ๐ช๐ผ ๐ช โ๏ธ โ
Marathon des Sables 2022
Sahara Strong: Conquering the Sand to End Childhood Cancers Together
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