The Midlife Reframe

Category: kneepain

  • Osteochondritis Dissecans……Yep, That’s Right

    Actually, I guess it started out as Juvenile Osteochondritis Dissecans…

    My Soxy Feet waiting to see Dr. S 🙂

    When I was 15 I had to go in for a scope on my knees.  They told my mother that I had “some loose cartilage” floating around and they were going to remove it.

    Little did I know that it would haunt me later in life!  

    So, no meniscal tear! (But, it mimics a lot of the same symptoms as a meniscal tear.)

    So what the heck is it?  It’s like little stress fractures in my joint cartilage.  A piece of the cartilage and bone has broken off and is floating around in my knee (FUN!). 
     
    So, a scope is in my future for removal of the floatie cartilage and they will fill in the space where it once was with a new product called CarGel.  The surgery will be in the Fall, as Dr. Stanish wants to wait for the release of CarGel in Canada.  This is going to “fill in” the space where the bone/cartilage has broken off.

    But Can I Run??

    Yes Amy, you can run 🙂  Not crazy run, and not long.  Use pain as my guide.  Run/walk is probably the best bet for now.

    Now comes the controlling my reckless abandon and not lacing up to run my legs off…

    OH HAPPY DAY 🙂
     

  • Summer, Moving and Specialist Appointment!!!

    OMG I am so excited!!

    I got the call today for my follow up appointment for my knee!  I go one week from today.

    I know that I am more than likely going to have to go under the knife, and I am good with that. Even if it does mean recovery time off the knee.

    That being said, no matter what I am told, I am going to follow every single instruction.  I’ll be a good girl and not go off and do things just because I “feel better”.  (Yes I wrote this down, so I can hold myself accountable!  LOL)

    What have I been up to?

    Well, I enjoyed some beach time last weekend.  Saturday we ended up heading to Hubbards Beach and ran into a very good friend.  Had a great time…even though the water was hella cold.  Too cold to swim in, that’s for sure!

    It’s the Atlantic into St. Margaret’s Bay.  

    Once you’re numb, then great, but it’s the “getting to numb” part that is the problem.

    On Sunday we ventured with the ladies of the family to Crystal Crescent Beach:

    Crystal Crescent BeachCrystal Crescent Beach – Halifax Metro – Three white-sand crescent beaches located at the mouth of Halifax Harbour. Boardwalks to the first two beaches, vault toilets. Trailhead for a hike to Pennant Point, 10 km (6 mi) which provides interesting birding and wildlife viewing. (This little blurb brought to you by the interweb….)





    We were there fairly early, so we were able to scoop up this sweet little crescent beach area and basically had it all to ourselves!  (Note: Having a very excited 2 year old niece who screeched with excitement helps to keep the beach clear).

     Since then I have been juggling work, errands and of course everyone’s favourite….PACKING AND MOVING. Needless to say I am a tad overwhelmed right now and have been procrastinating….admitting it out loud will make it real and enable me to not hide from it.  Stress and mental illness turns me into “Hibernation Amy”.  I just want to be alone and pretend it is all getting done.  NOT GOOD.

    So, with the help of my most awesome boyfriend (He will now be called “Greg” because I’ve decided I am the Dharma to his Greg….hahahahaha.  Seriously though, it’s true….) and my family ladies, we are kicking it into high gear.  I also booked a truck for Sunday.  IT IS ON.

    I was able to get some kitchen stuff moved and unpacked last night while enjoying the breeze from my kitchen window 🙂

    So, crossing all fingers and toes, I will be moved in on Sunday…..say some small prayers for me!

    This means my upcoming posts will be mobile.  I hope to get a “selfie” with my Specialist so I can blog it.  HE ROCKS!

    CrazyMama out!

  • Pushups, Packing and Where Did My Hair Go!!

    Having a supportive partner is great.

    Especially one who loves to share his love of fitness apps 🙂 We started using a push up app last week, and it’s great.  My arms, chest, core and back don’t think so, but, too bad!

    We are both waiting impatiently for the outcome of my MRI on Wednesday.  I miss working out with him and running with my bud K.

    The results will hopefully fly speedy like through the interweb to my specialist.  Because on Saturday, while just walking my niece in her stroller, my knee gave out….bad.  Like “can’t put my foot down and holy crap what will I do if I can’t walk home” bad.  But some elevation and ice…good to go.  I  dislike that uncertainty.

    My other super exciting fun thing this month has been packing.  Okay, big lie.  It’s not fun.  A necessary evil to get to my new place of awesome.  It’s coming along.  Bit by slooooooooooow bit.  Good news though, my new bedroom will have a space for me to set up a little serenity area 🙂  Yoga mat, super awesome fountain and chill.

    I did a total random thing on Friday.  Something that has caused many “WHOA” moments.  I cut my hair off.  Yep.  Snippedy Snip.  I’m not one who freaks out about it.  It grows back.  It’s hair.  But it has been quite a while since I’ve had it cut this short.  Feels liberating.  And it’s great for the heat 🙂

    Besides, it’s time to grow out this hair colour.  I’m not a real blonde. You’ll have to hang on over the next while to see what’s hiding underneath!

    Since we’re all here…

    Time for some irony.  Those of us who have a mental illness know that physical activity plays a big part in our recovery.  The ironic thing about my situation…I was working in the fitness industry when my world collapsed in on me.  Things happen for a reason at the weirdest times in our lives.  I continued to train with my trainer once I was put off of work.  I am so glad I did.  Even though my whole body had shut down, she got me through some tough shit.  It’s why I adore her to pieces and why I miss running with her.  Hopefully soon we can get back to our runs and our wonky jibber jabber.

    Signing off for tonight.  For those who run:  Run with your heart.  For those who are in their dark place and are uncertain:  There is a light in there, I promise.  For those who love us when we are in that dark place:  Thank you.       
       

  • Dr. Bill Stanish, The Knee and OMG My Teenager is Graduating from Grade 9!!!

    Today was the day!!

    I arrived at Dr. Stanish’s Office at almost 8:10 (traffic/construction/etc held me up) for my 8:15 appointment.  I registered and sat in the waiting room for my name to be called.

    A guy two seats over was slurping his hot beverage….and I mean slurping.  I gave him the “REALLY?!??!?!” look.  It was like nails on a chalkboard, lol.

    I didn’t wait long, it was like 10 minutes and then I heard my name….YAY!

    Went into a little curtained room and waited.

    Dr. Stanish arrived shortly after and we went through how I injured myself and my whole physio treatment.  We also discussed the lovely click and snap of me knee.  Joy.  He was impressed with my quad strength, as that usually dies with a meniscus tear.  I told him I have been rockin it with my exercises!

    He is setting me up to have an urgent MRI (which means I am on the cancellation list here in Halifax, NS), so I am hoping sooner rather than later.  I told him that not running is KILLING me.  He told me not to worry, he’s going to get me fixed up.  Once we have the MRI we can get the ball rolling 🙂 Happy happy happy!!

    I was in and out in 20 minutes.  He is a wonderful Specialist and super easy to talk to.

    That being said, my knee hurts like hell today.  It’s getting grumpy more often than not….jerk…lol.

    OFF TOPIC – MOMMY POST 😉

    Tomorrow is my daughter’s Grade 9 Graduation…..holy crap!  How did this little person get to be 15 and getting ready for HIGH SCHOOL!

    We’ve had our moments most recently, but I love her to pieces and hope to help her through the next 3 years….instilling that these years ARE important, that you can have fun and buckle down, and to enjoy them as much as possible.

    She is thinking about trying out for the Rugby Team, so we’ll be getting her body in tune over the summer.  Good thing Mom was a personal trainer for a short while….it will come in handy!!

    So, stay tuned for more knee fun…and I am hoping to get more cycling in, so this may take precedence in my posts, along with SUMMA FUN!!  So hang on tight…it going to be an AWESOME RIDE!!!!!!!