Monday, August 1, 2011
Physical Therapy, Chiropractor and "Racing into Shape"
I got my 2nd opinion from a knee/sports specialist @ Tria Orthopedic last Monday. He said pretty much the same thing as the first doctor. Which really, I don't know what I even wanted him to say. Surgery? No surgery, just wait out the pain? I didn't know. He was a little concerned it had been 4 weeks and I still had so much pain, but referred me to physical therapy and a LARGE dose of Advil daily. He said if in 3-4 weeks I was still in the same amount of pain we would do another MRI and reassess our plan. He did throw in there that he didn't think I would be able to run the full marathon in October. I cringed when he said that, teared up, then push back the tears, cursed his words and decided to ignore his comment.
I went to my chiropractor the next day who is a miracle worker. He suggested some homeopathic bone repair which supposedly heals fractures in 1/2 the normal time. I said what the hell? I'll try ANYTHING! He realigned me and did some acupuncture and I was on my way. I swam and water jogged. I am still making it about 15 minutes water jogging and working on my swimming (which is kind of pathetic and quite a struggle still!). My PT says I need to be able to water jog 40-45 minutes without pain before he'll put me back on the road.
Wednesday I had my first PT appointment. I really like my physical therapist. He knows what he's doing and is positive which is helping me stay positive! He asked me in more of a statement than a question: "You haven't given up on running the full in October, have you?" I said absolutely not! That I won't give up on it and he said good! He assessed my injury, we did a few easy exercises which he told me to do daily. The exercises are so easy and I'm surprised at how difficult they are...not really for pain in my knee, but as a struggle with range of motion, flexibility and strength. He thinks the range of motion is mainly from fluid in my knee which isn't allowing my movement. Flexibility and strength is from the fall, and not using it. It's amazing was you lose so quickly! I did exercises that day and the next and woke up with sore quads on Friday which I thought was sad, but a good sign I was rebuilding my strength. Friday I went back into my PT. My range of motion has already improved a lot! We did ultrasound, massage, a little warm up for my range of motion and then I rode the bike. I iced in this big brace type thing, "Turbo ice machine," and headed home.
Over the weekend I kept up with my exercises. I am going to stick with my water jogging, swimming and bike riding this week and have a chiro appointment tomorrow, and PT on Wednesday. I'm slowly getting more positive about the injury but am dying to get back on the road for real runs!
When I was in KC a few weeks back Sarah Dyerson gave me one of her Runner's World magazines. I don't think she even realized that there was an article in it "Racing Into Shape," which followed a woman who gave birth and then trained for the Boston marathon in nine weeks. Right now I'm about 10 weeks out from the marathon. Makes me nervous but if I can build my strength and endurance through the things I'm doing now, I think I can make the marathon. My pace will likely be slower than what I was wanting to run it in, but right now I just want to be able to participate and finish it on race day! If I can do that I'll be thrilled. The article gives 5 main tips: 1) Start short: start with short runs, but at a faster pace to improve your fitness quicker; 2) Be realistic: Don't expect to reach your PR while training or competing in fitness-building races; 3) Forget the taper: in order to regain your fitness, you must still train hard during the week (to do this I will likely keep the biking, swimming and water jog in my training to allow my knee the low-impact workout while still regaining fitness); 4) Race sparingly: only participate in races every 2-3 weeks; 5) Time it right: if your goal race is a marathon, run a 1/2 3-4 weeks out. Since the 1/2 is more about strength than speed, it will continue to improve your endurance while boosting your confident in your ability to run hard over a long distance. It is going to be a challenge, but I need to stay positive and work extremely hard to make this happen!
It helps to remember that I am fundraising and doing this for helpless, homeless dogs & cats. I committed to PAWS and will follow through, no matter how long it takes me to cross the finish line! My fundraising is slowly, but surely creeping up. I am about 35% to my goal so please help and donate! Seriously, every $1 helps! http://pawschicago.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=451667&supid=322878735
I went to my chiropractor the next day who is a miracle worker. He suggested some homeopathic bone repair which supposedly heals fractures in 1/2 the normal time. I said what the hell? I'll try ANYTHING! He realigned me and did some acupuncture and I was on my way. I swam and water jogged. I am still making it about 15 minutes water jogging and working on my swimming (which is kind of pathetic and quite a struggle still!). My PT says I need to be able to water jog 40-45 minutes without pain before he'll put me back on the road.
Wednesday I had my first PT appointment. I really like my physical therapist. He knows what he's doing and is positive which is helping me stay positive! He asked me in more of a statement than a question: "You haven't given up on running the full in October, have you?" I said absolutely not! That I won't give up on it and he said good! He assessed my injury, we did a few easy exercises which he told me to do daily. The exercises are so easy and I'm surprised at how difficult they are...not really for pain in my knee, but as a struggle with range of motion, flexibility and strength. He thinks the range of motion is mainly from fluid in my knee which isn't allowing my movement. Flexibility and strength is from the fall, and not using it. It's amazing was you lose so quickly! I did exercises that day and the next and woke up with sore quads on Friday which I thought was sad, but a good sign I was rebuilding my strength. Friday I went back into my PT. My range of motion has already improved a lot! We did ultrasound, massage, a little warm up for my range of motion and then I rode the bike. I iced in this big brace type thing, "Turbo ice machine," and headed home.
Over the weekend I kept up with my exercises. I am going to stick with my water jogging, swimming and bike riding this week and have a chiro appointment tomorrow, and PT on Wednesday. I'm slowly getting more positive about the injury but am dying to get back on the road for real runs!
When I was in KC a few weeks back Sarah Dyerson gave me one of her Runner's World magazines. I don't think she even realized that there was an article in it "Racing Into Shape," which followed a woman who gave birth and then trained for the Boston marathon in nine weeks. Right now I'm about 10 weeks out from the marathon. Makes me nervous but if I can build my strength and endurance through the things I'm doing now, I think I can make the marathon. My pace will likely be slower than what I was wanting to run it in, but right now I just want to be able to participate and finish it on race day! If I can do that I'll be thrilled. The article gives 5 main tips: 1) Start short: start with short runs, but at a faster pace to improve your fitness quicker; 2) Be realistic: Don't expect to reach your PR while training or competing in fitness-building races; 3) Forget the taper: in order to regain your fitness, you must still train hard during the week (to do this I will likely keep the biking, swimming and water jog in my training to allow my knee the low-impact workout while still regaining fitness); 4) Race sparingly: only participate in races every 2-3 weeks; 5) Time it right: if your goal race is a marathon, run a 1/2 3-4 weeks out. Since the 1/2 is more about strength than speed, it will continue to improve your endurance while boosting your confident in your ability to run hard over a long distance. It is going to be a challenge, but I need to stay positive and work extremely hard to make this happen!
It helps to remember that I am fundraising and doing this for helpless, homeless dogs & cats. I committed to PAWS and will follow through, no matter how long it takes me to cross the finish line! My fundraising is slowly, but surely creeping up. I am about 35% to my goal so please help and donate! Seriously, every $1 helps! http://pawschicago.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=451667&supid=322878735
Monday, July 25, 2011
Thank you Tom & Nancy Pruitt
I would like to thank Tom and Nancy Pruitt for their generous donation they made over the weekend! It is greatly appreciated. I lived with Tom and Nancy's daughter Sarah for 2 years in college and she is one of my very best friends! Unfortunately she lives in Dallas so we don't get to see each other much, but I am actually (hopefully) running the Chicago marathon with Sarah! We are looking forward to a great time in Chicago...I actually think our parents are probably more excited for the weekend than Sarah and I as my parents, Jack & Sandi and Tom & Nancy tend to have quite a good time together :)
Thanks again guys! Love and miss you!
Thanks again guys! Love and miss you!
Thursday, July 21, 2011
First try at water jogging
Well...I attempted my first water jog/work out session this morning. Yesterday I went out and got a water jogging belt. I found a cool little combo set @ Dicks Sporting goods:
The belt is supposed to help you stay afloat in the deep end so you can run instead of having to tread water. I have never water jogged, or water aerobics before except for when I cheered at KU and had access to the althetic training facilities and I would jog on the underwater treadmill. I loved doing that! My mom does physical therapy for dogs at her clinic and they have an underwater treadmill, I asked her if I could use it. Haha, she doesn't know yet if she'll let me...so we'll see! But anyways, I did a lot of research on water jogging and what the correct form is and what not.
Thank you to our best family friends Sue and Dennis for letting me use their pool! I went over this morning and started with a couple easy laps then put my belt on. It is definitely interesting. I was hoping to "jog" for 30 mins and swim for 15. The jogging felt good at first, definitely awkward though. It is something I will have to get used to. I had to focus really hard on my form. Jogging didn't get my endurance going as much as it would on dry land. But I could feel it in my legs after a while. I was only able to jog 15 minutes before I had to stop because I was having quite a bit of pain in my knee from the motion. So I started swimming laps. Damn...swimming laps is hard!!!! Definitely a great workout and something I want to get into! I did some real good swimming for about 30 minutes (with quite a few breaks to breathe!). Swimming really works all my muscles and my endurance. I was so tired! I do need to work on my breathing while swimming, I think that's why I thought it was so hard! But, I did enjoy it and I do feel like I got a good workout and will be a little sore tomorrow.
It felt so good to work my muscles after 3 weeks!! I feel out of shape...but it felt great. I am going to try and go tomorrow again if I'm not too sore. It's been exactly 3 weeks since my fall. I am still in and out of my brace. I usually wear it when I leave the house to protect it, and at home I try to move it around a little so it doesn't totally tighten up. I have my second opinion appointment with a knee/sports specialist on Monday...fingers crossed!
I hope everyone has a great weekend! And...if you're able to save $5 this weekend and donate to my fundraising for PAWS, you will help a homeless dog or cat find a home! Visit my page: http://pawschicago.kintera.org/teampawschicago2011/kellymcdonough
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Craving a run and trying to stay positive
I got my MRI results last week. I have 2 fractures in my knee, one is on the top of my fibula, cartilage damage and a slight tear in my meniscus. The doctor did not suggest surgery at this time and said I should wait 10 weeks to see how it feels and if it is still bugging me to come in then and they would possibly do the surgery then. I don't think he understands that I want all this to happen as quickly as possible. The doctor also got very defensive when I asked for copies of my x-rays and MRI to bring to a doctor in MN. He acted mad I was going to go to someone else, and he said I could come back to see him in a few weeks. I don't think he grasped the fact that I live 400 miles away! Oh well, I got the images burned onto a disk and will bring them to a knee/sports specialist here in MN where I have an appointment next Monday. We'll see what the 2nd opinion is.
It's been almost 3 weeks since my fall. The pain isn't as bad as it was so that's good. It still hurts to walk normally, although I can stand the pain to walk almost normal. Stairs are very painful as are other specific movements. The swelling has gone way down. These are all good things, but I still do have quite a bit of pain and am restricted in movement. I would not be able to ride a bike or anything like that right now but I am hoping to start swimming and water jogging/aerobics this week. I am dying not being able to run right now. Even in the 110 degree heat index, I want to go for a run SOOOO badly! It's really difficult since that is my alone time and my stress outlet. I'm also struggling because I want to be losing weight right now. I am trying to eat better but it is just much easier when you can add exercise into the equation. Hopefully the water jogging will help.
But, I am trying to think positive and am hoping for the best possible outcome.
I am still fundraising for PAWS! So as always, please visit my website and help the animals! http://pawschicago.kintera.org/teampawschicago2011/kellymcdonough
It's been almost 3 weeks since my fall. The pain isn't as bad as it was so that's good. It still hurts to walk normally, although I can stand the pain to walk almost normal. Stairs are very painful as are other specific movements. The swelling has gone way down. These are all good things, but I still do have quite a bit of pain and am restricted in movement. I would not be able to ride a bike or anything like that right now but I am hoping to start swimming and water jogging/aerobics this week. I am dying not being able to run right now. Even in the 110 degree heat index, I want to go for a run SOOOO badly! It's really difficult since that is my alone time and my stress outlet. I'm also struggling because I want to be losing weight right now. I am trying to eat better but it is just much easier when you can add exercise into the equation. Hopefully the water jogging will help.
But, I am trying to think positive and am hoping for the best possible outcome.
I am still fundraising for PAWS! So as always, please visit my website and help the animals! http://pawschicago.kintera.org/teampawschicago2011/kellymcdonough
What I learned from babysitting 4 kids for 8 days...
After 16 days away from home, I'm finally back! AND...I survived all 8 days babysitting 4 kids!
I had a great time in KC. Traveling with my knee was difficult. Especially the first flight since it had only been 2 days since my fall and my first 24 hours in the knee brace and on crutches. It was actually kind of nice while flying since I got a wheelchair, got straight to the front of security without waiting in line and got an extended leg room seat! Not to mention the flight attendant and I became BFF's and he gave me free wine the whole flight! Once in KC I had so much fun seeing some GREAT friends from college. Michael Raasch picked me up from the airport with my surprise...Sarah Pikul, sorry, Sarah Dyerson I mean (I still call her Pikul for her nickname)!! We stopped by to see Jake Schermer at a pool party then went back to Pikul's and I got to see her husband Andrew Dyerson. Then Pikul and I spent some time that day catching up which was fabulous! The next day I got to see my old boss Christy Cowell Rinkol and her daughter Kayla Cowell and then saw Sarah Jacobs and Kerry Comisky. On the 4th my old boss Christy had a pool party, then I saw Lyndsay Bettlach and later Henry Madera! I got to see a lot of people that I miss in a very short amount of time! Of course I wish I could have spent more time with them all and had more people I would have liked to see, but I was happy with what I got. Seeing everyone really makes me realize how much I miss them all and how much I need to make more of an effort to stay in touch with them. Life just moves too fast and gets too busy! So I need to put in more of a conscious effort.
My week with the kids was great...a lot of work...but great! I'm not going to lie, spending 8 days with 4 kids was probably the best form of birth control there is! But, the kids are very well behaved and pretty self-efficient so it wasn't very hard. Michael is 14, Lauren is 11, Brock is 9 and Jacob is 8. The boys pretty much all entertain each other, and Lauren as well! But the main things I learned during the week are:
1. Kids are a constant cause of messes. I felt like I was constantly cleaning and literally following right behind them picking things up!;
2. 4 kids eat A LOT of food! I went to the grocery store probably 4 times during that week. I tried to cook a lot so they ate healthy good meals, but sometimes I gave in and popped in the "chicken fries." I did learn to grill too! I'm convinced Michael lives off of toaster struddels. I bought 2 value packs (12 struddels in each) and they were gone in 24 hours. wowza!;
3. 4 kids cost A LOT of $$$$$. Going through the drive-through costs like $40 alone; and
4. I still love kids...but 4 may be too many for me! :)
It was hard to leave the kids because I do truly love that family, but I was ready for a small break! And, I have to say congratulations to their Mom, Stephanie and her boyfriend Evan, who got engaged while they were gone in Mexico that week!! So happy for you two and wish you the very best!
I headed to Chicago after KC for one of my best friend and her fiance's bachelorette/bachelor party weekend! It was the perfect weekend. The first night the guys and girls all went on a trolley around the city and then the second night the girls went to dinner, the Thunder from down under show (highlight of the weekend!) then the piano bar. And who cares what the boys did haha! Their last flings before the rings were fantastic! Congrats to Amy Kasper & Justin Schaffer! Can't wait for their wedding August 13!
This summer has been going way too fast!
I had a great time in KC. Traveling with my knee was difficult. Especially the first flight since it had only been 2 days since my fall and my first 24 hours in the knee brace and on crutches. It was actually kind of nice while flying since I got a wheelchair, got straight to the front of security without waiting in line and got an extended leg room seat! Not to mention the flight attendant and I became BFF's and he gave me free wine the whole flight! Once in KC I had so much fun seeing some GREAT friends from college. Michael Raasch picked me up from the airport with my surprise...Sarah Pikul, sorry, Sarah Dyerson I mean (I still call her Pikul for her nickname)!! We stopped by to see Jake Schermer at a pool party then went back to Pikul's and I got to see her husband Andrew Dyerson. Then Pikul and I spent some time that day catching up which was fabulous! The next day I got to see my old boss Christy Cowell Rinkol and her daughter Kayla Cowell and then saw Sarah Jacobs and Kerry Comisky. On the 4th my old boss Christy had a pool party, then I saw Lyndsay Bettlach and later Henry Madera! I got to see a lot of people that I miss in a very short amount of time! Of course I wish I could have spent more time with them all and had more people I would have liked to see, but I was happy with what I got. Seeing everyone really makes me realize how much I miss them all and how much I need to make more of an effort to stay in touch with them. Life just moves too fast and gets too busy! So I need to put in more of a conscious effort.
My week with the kids was great...a lot of work...but great! I'm not going to lie, spending 8 days with 4 kids was probably the best form of birth control there is! But, the kids are very well behaved and pretty self-efficient so it wasn't very hard. Michael is 14, Lauren is 11, Brock is 9 and Jacob is 8. The boys pretty much all entertain each other, and Lauren as well! But the main things I learned during the week are:
1. Kids are a constant cause of messes. I felt like I was constantly cleaning and literally following right behind them picking things up!;
2. 4 kids eat A LOT of food! I went to the grocery store probably 4 times during that week. I tried to cook a lot so they ate healthy good meals, but sometimes I gave in and popped in the "chicken fries." I did learn to grill too! I'm convinced Michael lives off of toaster struddels. I bought 2 value packs (12 struddels in each) and they were gone in 24 hours. wowza!;
 |
| My first time grilling alone! It was yummy! |
3. 4 kids cost A LOT of $$$$$. Going through the drive-through costs like $40 alone; and
4. I still love kids...but 4 may be too many for me! :)
It was hard to leave the kids because I do truly love that family, but I was ready for a small break! And, I have to say congratulations to their Mom, Stephanie and her boyfriend Evan, who got engaged while they were gone in Mexico that week!! So happy for you two and wish you the very best!
 |
| Lauren & me at Jacob's baseball game |
 |
| Jacob stepping up to bat... |
 |
| ...And a HIT! Go Jake! |
 |
| The "bodacious bride!" |
Overall, it was a good 16 days! But I was soooo happy to get home and see Emma! That was too long for me to be away from her. I am trying to get back into the swing of things and have made some appointments and am getting caught up with some work.
This summer has been going way too fast!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
(Hopefully) Just a MINOR Setback...
Sorry I haven't gotten around to posting about my "long" run last week and my training the beginning of this week. Part of the reason is because it hasn't happened.
As I told you last week, I was moving out of my apartment Wednesday and Thursday. I had a really hard time finding guys who were willing to donate their muscles to me and help me get everything out of my apartment, which was on the 3rd floor. Wednesday AM I ran 4 miles and felt really good the majority of the time. I was not in pain, but it did get a little humid and hot for me at the end of the run and I felt a little dehydrated. But overall, a very good run! For the rest of the day I carried boxes up and down my 3 flights of stairs. Woof...my legs were starting to feel a little dead! Thank goodness one of my good guy friends Chris Anderson was nice enough to loan me his muscles and help me get some of my bigger furniture down. I really appreciated his help! I decided to cool it for the night @ around 8:30 and just rest.
Thursday AM I decided not to run as I was a little sore from moving the day before and knew I still had quite a few trips to make up and down the stairs. I had a chiropractor appointment with the amazing Dr. Metcalf that morning. This man is a miracle worker! He works with a lot of the Gopher football players as well as with a lot of gymnasts. I saw him 2 times a week towards the end of my training for my first marathon and I am convinced I would have had so much more pain had I not been seeing him! On Thursday he did some acupuncture on my lower back along with stem treatments and stem treatments on my rock hard shoulders/upper back thanks to the stress I carry there. He also realigned my body. He said it was obvious I hadn't been in for a long time and he also asked if I had been training on lots of hills or stairs. I told him about the move and he said he could tell from my knees and hips that I had done that. Anyways...leaving the office and heading to finish the move, my body felt fabulous!
I moved some smaller stuff downstairs by myself and cleaned a little waiting for my friend Jackie to come over and help me move my bed down, when my landlord came in and said I only had an hour left before I had to be out, when I thought I had 6! So, I started rushing. In that rush I attempted to lift a box of my kitchen plates, bowls, etc. that I had marked "HEAVY" 3 or 4 times. But, me being the stubborn person I am, I thought I could do it. I got to the last flight of stairs when I got my shoe stuck on the carpet, my knee kept going, my foot stayed back and my leg/knee completely twisted underneath me with my foot about 3 steps highed than my knee. Oh, and the box was on top of me, and I couldn't get it off. Luckily a man heard the fall and came to my rescue. He lifted the box off me and helped me up. At first I was kind of in shock and I couldn't tell what hurt. From my knee down was pretty much numb. Then I kind of walked it off (or tried) and realized it was my knee that hurt the worst. It definitely did not feel right. But, I had to keep moving. I knew I shouldn't but I had to get everything out. Thanks to Jackie, the nice gentleman (who was a stranger by the way), and one of my neighbors, I got everything out like 4 hours later. My knee got worse and worse when I would sit in the car to bring another load of stuff to my parents, and even worse everytime I went up and down the stairs. I was miserable and depressed when I was done. My main concern was my training and fundraising.
After working so hard and being totally bummed by my injury, I needed some R&R and someone to vent to. Luckily, one of my best friends Lindsay Boelter had also had that kind of week. So, we sat out on her deck, me with my leg up and a bag of ice glued to my knee, she grilled dinner for us and we had some cocktails and just unwound. It was so nice. It is amazing what time with a great friend can do for you.
I didn't sleep well at all due to the pain. My mom took me into the ER the next afternoon because nothing else was open due to closing early for the holiday weekend. I was swollen and in a lot of pain and couldn't walk much at all. The ER took forever. X-rays were negative, she said it felt a little unstable and said she wanted to brace it and put me on crutches. She said I might feel great by Monday or it might take much longer. She thought it was an LCL sprain. When I told her I was training for a marathon she immediately told me to see a specialist the following Tuesday (the day after the 4th). So, with my brace, crutches, and some awesome pain killers, I was on my way.
I left Saturday morning for KC. I woke up extremely swollen...way worse than the day before (the picture doesn't do it justice). I mean, I had no shape whatsoever in my leg. It was just...fat.
And woof...is it fun to travel with that brace on (not)!! And, to top it off, of course my bag was 61lbs and they wanted to charge me $75 extra, on top of the $15 I had already paid to check a bag at all! So as I was trying to move all my shoes to my carry on and decide which toiletries I could throw away, another nice guy who worked for Frontier came up and ask me "What the heck I was doing?" I told him it was too heavy and he was like ummm no. I'm not charging you, let me take this for you and I'm calling you a wheelchair! He was my hero that morning :) So, I got wheeled to the front of security (nice), but had to get patted down thanks to the brace (not so nice). But, I made it to KC and have had an amazing time with some of my great friends from college! Makes me miss my friends seeing as most of them do not live in MN. However, it does make seeing them that much better when it does happen!
By Pikul's orders, I did a lot of ice bathes. They did make me feel better, usually for like 30 minutes at a time.
(You can sort of see the swelling too in some of these pictures).
I went into a specialist Tuesday as ordered. Thanks so much to my best friend Sarah Pikul for driving me and sitting with me during the appointment (we had a great day despite my knee!). I'm not sure how I felt about him but he ordered an MRI and said there was a possibility of meniscus or other cartiledge tearing/damage. So I got my MRI today and will get the results by the beginning of next week. I'm still quite swollen and in a lot of pain. This scares me but I am trying to stay positive. He did say I can water jog in the pool, so I'm going to try that out tomorrow.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and concern for me that you've expressed through calls, texts and facebook. It really does mean a lot (even your evil comments Sarah Woodard!!!!!!!!). I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July. I am babysitting 4 kids in KC this week while their parents are out of town...it should make for some interesting blogposts, so stay tuned! Also, I will let you know when I know the results of my MRI.
As always, please help support PAWS Chicago and their fight to save innocent animals: Visit my page: http://pawschicago.kintera.org/teampawschicago2011/kellymcdonough
As I told you last week, I was moving out of my apartment Wednesday and Thursday. I had a really hard time finding guys who were willing to donate their muscles to me and help me get everything out of my apartment, which was on the 3rd floor. Wednesday AM I ran 4 miles and felt really good the majority of the time. I was not in pain, but it did get a little humid and hot for me at the end of the run and I felt a little dehydrated. But overall, a very good run! For the rest of the day I carried boxes up and down my 3 flights of stairs. Woof...my legs were starting to feel a little dead! Thank goodness one of my good guy friends Chris Anderson was nice enough to loan me his muscles and help me get some of my bigger furniture down. I really appreciated his help! I decided to cool it for the night @ around 8:30 and just rest.
Thursday AM I decided not to run as I was a little sore from moving the day before and knew I still had quite a few trips to make up and down the stairs. I had a chiropractor appointment with the amazing Dr. Metcalf that morning. This man is a miracle worker! He works with a lot of the Gopher football players as well as with a lot of gymnasts. I saw him 2 times a week towards the end of my training for my first marathon and I am convinced I would have had so much more pain had I not been seeing him! On Thursday he did some acupuncture on my lower back along with stem treatments and stem treatments on my rock hard shoulders/upper back thanks to the stress I carry there. He also realigned my body. He said it was obvious I hadn't been in for a long time and he also asked if I had been training on lots of hills or stairs. I told him about the move and he said he could tell from my knees and hips that I had done that. Anyways...leaving the office and heading to finish the move, my body felt fabulous!
I moved some smaller stuff downstairs by myself and cleaned a little waiting for my friend Jackie to come over and help me move my bed down, when my landlord came in and said I only had an hour left before I had to be out, when I thought I had 6! So, I started rushing. In that rush I attempted to lift a box of my kitchen plates, bowls, etc. that I had marked "HEAVY" 3 or 4 times. But, me being the stubborn person I am, I thought I could do it. I got to the last flight of stairs when I got my shoe stuck on the carpet, my knee kept going, my foot stayed back and my leg/knee completely twisted underneath me with my foot about 3 steps highed than my knee. Oh, and the box was on top of me, and I couldn't get it off. Luckily a man heard the fall and came to my rescue. He lifted the box off me and helped me up. At first I was kind of in shock and I couldn't tell what hurt. From my knee down was pretty much numb. Then I kind of walked it off (or tried) and realized it was my knee that hurt the worst. It definitely did not feel right. But, I had to keep moving. I knew I shouldn't but I had to get everything out. Thanks to Jackie, the nice gentleman (who was a stranger by the way), and one of my neighbors, I got everything out like 4 hours later. My knee got worse and worse when I would sit in the car to bring another load of stuff to my parents, and even worse everytime I went up and down the stairs. I was miserable and depressed when I was done. My main concern was my training and fundraising.
After working so hard and being totally bummed by my injury, I needed some R&R and someone to vent to. Luckily, one of my best friends Lindsay Boelter had also had that kind of week. So, we sat out on her deck, me with my leg up and a bag of ice glued to my knee, she grilled dinner for us and we had some cocktails and just unwound. It was so nice. It is amazing what time with a great friend can do for you.
I didn't sleep well at all due to the pain. My mom took me into the ER the next afternoon because nothing else was open due to closing early for the holiday weekend. I was swollen and in a lot of pain and couldn't walk much at all. The ER took forever. X-rays were negative, she said it felt a little unstable and said she wanted to brace it and put me on crutches. She said I might feel great by Monday or it might take much longer. She thought it was an LCL sprain. When I told her I was training for a marathon she immediately told me to see a specialist the following Tuesday (the day after the 4th). So, with my brace, crutches, and some awesome pain killers, I was on my way.
I left Saturday morning for KC. I woke up extremely swollen...way worse than the day before (the picture doesn't do it justice). I mean, I had no shape whatsoever in my leg. It was just...fat.
And woof...is it fun to travel with that brace on (not)!! And, to top it off, of course my bag was 61lbs and they wanted to charge me $75 extra, on top of the $15 I had already paid to check a bag at all! So as I was trying to move all my shoes to my carry on and decide which toiletries I could throw away, another nice guy who worked for Frontier came up and ask me "What the heck I was doing?" I told him it was too heavy and he was like ummm no. I'm not charging you, let me take this for you and I'm calling you a wheelchair! He was my hero that morning :) So, I got wheeled to the front of security (nice), but had to get patted down thanks to the brace (not so nice). But, I made it to KC and have had an amazing time with some of my great friends from college! Makes me miss my friends seeing as most of them do not live in MN. However, it does make seeing them that much better when it does happen!
By Pikul's orders, I did a lot of ice bathes. They did make me feel better, usually for like 30 minutes at a time.
I went into a specialist Tuesday as ordered. Thanks so much to my best friend Sarah Pikul for driving me and sitting with me during the appointment (we had a great day despite my knee!). I'm not sure how I felt about him but he ordered an MRI and said there was a possibility of meniscus or other cartiledge tearing/damage. So I got my MRI today and will get the results by the beginning of next week. I'm still quite swollen and in a lot of pain. This scares me but I am trying to stay positive. He did say I can water jog in the pool, so I'm going to try that out tomorrow.
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers and concern for me that you've expressed through calls, texts and facebook. It really does mean a lot (even your evil comments Sarah Woodard!!!!!!!!). I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July. I am babysitting 4 kids in KC this week while their parents are out of town...it should make for some interesting blogposts, so stay tuned! Also, I will let you know when I know the results of my MRI.
As always, please help support PAWS Chicago and their fight to save innocent animals: Visit my page: http://pawschicago.kintera.org/teampawschicago2011/kellymcdonough
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)