Archive for the ‘Reflections’ Category
7/4/10 Waterskiing on Lake Ouachita in Arkansas
Posted by admin in Reflections on July 15th, 2010
Well, I traveled to the truly exotic location of Lake Ouachita in Arkansas for the 4th this year, and boy was it fantastic! For those of you who do not know me very well, I am a terrible water skier. I rarely get up on the skis and almost always eat tons of lake water. However, this year, I was able to ski until I was ready to drop!!! It was phenomenal 🙂
However, while skiing, I noticed that my left leg was getting tired. So, I decided to give the left leg a rest and just transfer the bulk of the work to the right leg. When I did that, I noticed that my brother-in-law began scrambling around the boat like a mad man. I thought to myself, “What is he doing?” Then, he came up with a camera. Now, we had been skiing for two days, and everyone had been photographed while skiing. So, I couldn’t figure out why he had decided that I needed a photo at that particular moment. I also decided that I was ready to quit skiing because my right leg was getting tired of doing most of the work. So, I signaled to go down, and I dropped, which was awesome because I’m usually wiping out in some truly epic fashion.
When I got into the boat, my brother-in-law was animatedly telling me how freaky my legs were because I looked completely bowlegged. Apparently, my left knee had gone in toward the right knee at a grotesque angle. I was so excited by this discovery that I asked him if he had gotten a picture, but he couldn’t figure my camera out. Thus, no picture 🙁
However, I decided to ski again the next day so that I could get a look at my left leg. Sure enough, once I was up and skiing, my left knee decided to bend in toward the right leg in a truly freakish angle. I worked to get it straightened out by pushing harder with my big toe on the left foot. This worked! However, as soon as I stopped looking, it went right back toward the right leg again.
I have been water skiing several times before this, and I have never had this particular problem. My theory is that I am definitely using the posterior tibialis tendon in ways that I have never used it before. Thus, it is still adjusting to the extra responsibility – even in water skiing!
Although it was just skiing to everyone else, it was another affirmation to me that I am on the right track with my training! Go me!!! 🙂
I have ARCHES!!!!
Posted by admin in Reflections on May 21st, 2010
Yes, folks, it’s official! I have an arch on my left foot! This was witnessed by Ollie at bellydance class yesterday. I stood barefooted through the entire class, shimmies and all, with a full-on, no-nonsense arch on my left foot!!! It was awesome. I will post pictures this weekend.
Speaking of pictures, I have my videos sans some Vibramâ„¢ footage due to a guy inadvertently taped on the giant wall mirror. Oh well. I will try to re-make that tape.
So, more later 🙂
Left Sesmoid Bone – or Rather, Missing Sesmoid Bone
Posted by admin in Reflections on April 13th, 2010
Another recent development is a sensation that borders on being inflammation where my scar for the removal of one of my sesmoid bones in my left foot is located. I have had this problem before, but it was years ago and closer to the surgery. Consequently I had the surgery in 1998, which puts a really long time between now and then.
So, my theory is that I am either not favoring the left foot in order to not inflame the sesmoid scar -OR- I am favoring the left foot, which in turn inflames the sesmoid scar.
Which ever it is, it is very annoying, and I would like it to stop.
I have added icing the sesmoid scar to the icing the bottom of the foot regimen since it is right there.
More updates on this development later.
Left Hamstring – ARGH!
Posted by admin in Reflections on April 13th, 2010
So, since beginning my physical therapy, an old problem having to do with my left hamstring has come back. It is an interesting thing where the hamstring seems to always be working, but not correctly. I do not know how to describe the sensation other than to say that it is a pulling sensation where the hamstring feels like it is working for everything. I do sit ups, I feel hamstring. I do bridge, and the hamstring is doing more work than the glutes on the left side. Needless to say, it is annoying and not very beneficial for me.
Frustrating. That is actually what it is.
I am going to ask Travis about it, but until I get a chance, I am going to try stretching some of the connective muscles. I wonder if helping everything relax will help.
Orthotics Questions
Posted by admin in Reflections on March 16th, 2010
So, today, as I slogged up some stairs in my super stiff running shoes and orthotics, I was thinking about how my right knee was hurting, and my left IT band was twinging. Then, my mind began to wonder, as it does, to the idea of how does a doctor actually “know” what orthotic adjustment my foot actually needs?
In case you have never gotten orthotics, let me fill you in on the process. There are two ways for a doctor to get the shape of your foot:
1. plaster molds. In this version, the doctor holds your foot at what they call “neutral” (this varies by doctor and person – it is incredibly subjective in my opinion). The doctor then tells you to keep your foot in this position while he/she places the plaster laden strips of material on your foot. They then take the plaster mold and send it to a company with a “prescription” for your foot. In about two weeks your orthotics show up at the doctor’s office. Voila!
2. computer imaging. This is a new version that I recently had done for my new orthotics. Once again, the doctor holds your foot at “neutral” and a machine scans the bottom. I think this way certainly does cut out some of the middle man in that the patient does not have to “hold” their foot in “neutral” while the plaster is being added. However, is the doctor actually in “neutral” for your foot?
I am writing my questions here, not to disrupt major medical processes, but because I think they are interesting. How does a doctor know what is “neutral” for my foot? Is neutral for my foot different from what is neutral on my husband? Also, how does the prescription work? It is such a black box to me, this process, that is. Then, when I get my orthotic, does it really do what it is supposed to do? And if not, how can I, a lay person, convey what is going on or how I think it might need to be adjusted to my doctor? It can be a very frustrating experience.
So, in my trip up the stairs today, I wondered if my orthotics are indeed a good match for my malformed feet. I do not have an answer. My answer is that I really want to get barefoot more than ever. However, patience is the virtue that I must hold onto.
Thus, back to the stationary bike I go….
Bike Riding in the City: The Art of Dodging Cars
Posted by admin in Reflections on March 9th, 2010
Today marked my first trip biking to work. I figured I would try to follow through with the no load bearing by converting my pedestrian commute to a biking commute. Whoa! Boy, was that an experience and a half! The best part was that I live at the top of a hill. So, the entire way to work was downhill – Wheee!!!
However, the cars on the road are scary. There were taxis parked on my right (hello open door!), cars driving on my left, and little ol’ me on my bike. At least I had a helmet – HA! I was so high strung that I felt like if someone had plucked me I would’ve hit a high c.
Then, I pulled up next to the cop – OMG! Could this get anymore stressful – oh, yes, the left turn into the school. My oh my, how would I make it home? Not only is it up hill the entire way, but traffic would be much more concentrated.
Problem solved, I got a ride 🙂
I know, I know. I totally took the easy way out, but I got home safe. Plus, my foot is still feelin’ fine.