I have to admit, I have really missed working out over the last several days. I have not even gone for any walks! But the jostling of my arm is officially not worth it right now, so I will be waiting at least until the swelling is gone. It is uncomfortable to have the arm in a sling right now, because of the swelling. So I pretty much sit with my elbow to hand resting on a pillow, often with ice when I am not moving around. It's not perfect, but it does feel better. And the swelling is down a bit, so that is a plus! I even messed around with pillows and blankets to find a good sleeping position, although I have been sleeping on the couch.
J left this morning for a work trip to Las Vegas. My dad is coming down to stay with me for the weekend, to make sure I am ok. I am sure everything will be fine, but it will be nice to have someone around just in case! Starting Monday though, I am going to be making it work on my own. I am absolutely capable of taking care of myself, but having two more days of reassurance cannot hurt.
Admittedly, and yes this is gross, yesterday was the first time since surgery that I changed clothes and showered. It was pretty awesome! I feel like 1,000x better after that. I put pajamas on last night, and I am going to put on clean clothes today. It is amazing what little things excite you! Maybe the luxuries of getting dressed and showering are preparing me for motherhood. Any moms have opinions to offer on that?
Trying to figure out what I should ask my dad to help with while he is here. I am leaning toward grocery shopping!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
Post Surgery
Ahhhh... surgery is done. It was scary, but I am very proud of myself. I was not under at all, they just put a block in my shoulder. I could not feel a thing. For days (well, since Monday when we knew for sure that I was having surgery), Jason has been telling me that the pain block is exactly like an epidural! Apparently I needed to hear that from a doctor or something because today I shared that news with Jason, and he said, "I've been telling you that for days!" whoops.
The feelings are just starting to come back in my arm, and there is definitely a bit of pain with it! I took my first dosage of pain meds, and I am hoping that keeps things to a minimum. I plan on taking it every four hours as it says to, at least today, and potentially tomorrow, and then we can play it be ear! I have a feeling the surgical pain is definitely going to be much worse than the broken bone pain that I was dealing with before. It already is and I've had meds and am likely still numb!
I wrote all of the above yesterday. I am through the first 24 hours after surgery. Although I am still in a good amount of pain, I would think that the worst is over? I am definitely hopeful of that. So keep your fingers crossed that I am through the worst of the pain. I am not sure yet what my plan is for tomorrow. It definitely depends on how I sleep and how the pain is... if the pain needs my prescription, then I probably will not go in. Its probably not a great idea to go to work on pain meds (unless I can step back to Tylenol.
One thing I can say about having this surgery is that I bet the majority of pregnant women do not get to listen to their baby's heartbeat for 2+ hours before they get to deliver. And yesterday, that was something that I got to do. Yes, it was something to make sure that she is safe, but it still is pretty neat! I had two notable Braxton Hicks contractions while I was plugged into the machine. I am glad to know what the feeling is exactly! I think women often don't know what that really feels like and they just are hoping it will click when it happens, but now I know for sure!
I have spent three days writing this entry. It is now Friday. I started this entry shortly after my surgery back on Wednesday. But I think that a lot of that is due to the occasional falling asleep in the middle of typing. Hopefully today I manage to get it posted!
So, sorry for the delay in updating!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Scared for Tomorrow
I am exhausted. All of these nerves are really getting to me. I know I shouldn't be so scared of having surgery, but I definitely still am. I am scared for me and the pain, I am scared for the baby and the trauma that might be involved... I know I have one of the top Orthopedic surgeons in the city (definitely will continue to see him for future running related injuries) and I know everything is going to be very closely monitored during my procedures. But that doesn't change anything at all, unfortunately.
I am on the couch at my house right now. I needed some meds because I am definitely feeling it right now. It is much more of a discomfort than a pain, but it is absolutely not fun.
I have talked to my friend who is a nurse, and she happens to work at the hospital where my surgery is. But she will not be there tomorrow. She is going to get in touch with folks there to check in on me, which will be nice. She also did give me some advice. I was explaining to her that I was very scared. I am scared about getting operated on in general, and I am extra scared that I am going to be aware of what is going on during the surgery. I have been trying ever since Saturday to put on my brave face.
Becky said that I should just tell the nurses that I am scared and then they will be able to help me. The nurses will talk to me during the surgery if I want them to. I am pretty sure I do. If I am going to be strapped to a table for an hour, I am absolutely going to need distractions. Whenever I think about the fact that it is tomorrow is the day, I get really scared in my head, and I start to cry. I have been doing it pretty much repeatedly today, and even did it last night when I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
I guess that is one think to be said about Teek. She does have that quality of a good dog, as much as she loves her dad. She does seem to "get" when I am sad or scared and come to sit with me. Even in the middle of the night. So last night when she heard me crying she left her dad and came and cuddled up close to me and Addie. Although it doesn't make you feel 100% better, it helps.
I am on the couch at my house right now. I needed some meds because I am definitely feeling it right now. It is much more of a discomfort than a pain, but it is absolutely not fun.
I have talked to my friend who is a nurse, and she happens to work at the hospital where my surgery is. But she will not be there tomorrow. She is going to get in touch with folks there to check in on me, which will be nice. She also did give me some advice. I was explaining to her that I was very scared. I am scared about getting operated on in general, and I am extra scared that I am going to be aware of what is going on during the surgery. I have been trying ever since Saturday to put on my brave face.
Becky said that I should just tell the nurses that I am scared and then they will be able to help me. The nurses will talk to me during the surgery if I want them to. I am pretty sure I do. If I am going to be strapped to a table for an hour, I am absolutely going to need distractions. Whenever I think about the fact that it is tomorrow is the day, I get really scared in my head, and I start to cry. I have been doing it pretty much repeatedly today, and even did it last night when I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom.
I guess that is one think to be said about Teek. She does have that quality of a good dog, as much as she loves her dad. She does seem to "get" when I am sad or scared and come to sit with me. Even in the middle of the night. So last night when she heard me crying she left her dad and came and cuddled up close to me and Addie. Although it doesn't make you feel 100% better, it helps.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Next Steps
Today when I got into work, I called the orthopedic doctor (as well as my OB/GYN to check in) right away, figuring I was going to be going into the doctor fairly early in the morning. Everything was cool with the OB, and they said as long as nothing changes, everything there is fine. They, of course, made a note on my chart since I did take the time to call and let them know what had happened. That again made me feel reassured that everything was fine with the baby and I don't have anything to worry about there.
The ortho managed to get me in for an appointment at 9:45 am, so lucky for me, I would not need to wait too long to discover my fate. And by "fate", I mean do I need surgery? Is getting casted up going to fix everything? (I already told J that I wanted a hot pink cast. His money was on surgery.) How long do I have to wear this stupid splint? It is not very comfortable, after all. Especially for sleeping!
I am truly of the belief that doctors come up with ways to specifically torture individuals based on the injury they are suffering from. In my case, I am right handed and splinted/slinged up with zero use of my right hand. So why not give me 6 pages of paperwork to fill out in the waiting room! No problem... So I am using my left hand trying to do this, and likely nearing tears in frustration. But I did manage to get everything filled out to the satisfaction of the ladies behind the desk (although not to my own!)
When I got back in to a room, they took my x-rays and unwrapped my arm. I had not seen it since Saturday so I was curious at how swollen it still was and if it had bruised up or not.
So, not bruised, but swollen as hell. I think it looks almost like a leg, not an arm. It is sitting in the splint, I didn't really touch it too much or anything because it made me nervous. It hurts much more today than it did over the weekend.
Shortly after, the doctor came into my room. He had already seen my x-rays, and let's be honest, I saw them, the break is pretty clear. He walks in and just says flat out, "we're going to need to do surgery on your elbow." Well, he greeted me first and shook my left hand. But immediately launched into my need for surgery. I guess I was prepared for it, mostly. But still, it is tough to come to terms with the fact that I need it. It is scheduled for Wednesday, first thing in the morning.
There it is all wrapped up before I put it back in the sling.
Now that I have been to EVERY doctor in my life today (the ortho surgeon, my pcp, and my ob), it needs to be clear... This did not happen because I was pregnant. It was completely an accident and could happen to anyone. The fall, that is... The break was truly a fluke, as it is very rare, I understand. So I am handling this.
The ortho managed to get me in for an appointment at 9:45 am, so lucky for me, I would not need to wait too long to discover my fate. And by "fate", I mean do I need surgery? Is getting casted up going to fix everything? (I already told J that I wanted a hot pink cast. His money was on surgery.) How long do I have to wear this stupid splint? It is not very comfortable, after all. Especially for sleeping!
I am truly of the belief that doctors come up with ways to specifically torture individuals based on the injury they are suffering from. In my case, I am right handed and splinted/slinged up with zero use of my right hand. So why not give me 6 pages of paperwork to fill out in the waiting room! No problem... So I am using my left hand trying to do this, and likely nearing tears in frustration. But I did manage to get everything filled out to the satisfaction of the ladies behind the desk (although not to my own!)
When I got back in to a room, they took my x-rays and unwrapped my arm. I had not seen it since Saturday so I was curious at how swollen it still was and if it had bruised up or not.
Shortly after, the doctor came into my room. He had already seen my x-rays, and let's be honest, I saw them, the break is pretty clear. He walks in and just says flat out, "we're going to need to do surgery on your elbow." Well, he greeted me first and shook my left hand. But immediately launched into my need for surgery. I guess I was prepared for it, mostly. But still, it is tough to come to terms with the fact that I need it. It is scheduled for Wednesday, first thing in the morning.
Now that I have been to EVERY doctor in my life today (the ortho surgeon, my pcp, and my ob), it needs to be clear... This did not happen because I was pregnant. It was completely an accident and could happen to anyone. The fall, that is... The break was truly a fluke, as it is very rare, I understand. So I am handling this.
Sunday, May 12, 2013
The End...
Well, 27 weeks and 5 days, it is no record but it is not bad. That is how pregnant I was when I went for my last run before the baby came. I thought I was going to make it further, honestly. I had come to terms with limiting myself to 10 minute/miles. That was my new plan. Take it much easier, but keep going.
Everything changed for me yesterday. Yesterday made the next 12 weeks turn upside down.
I had plans for a 2 mile warmup followed by a 5k at approximately a 9:30 pace. I had signed up for the Butterfly 5k which is a very family friendly race with dogs and strollers. I figured with that kind of crowd, keeping my pace casual should not be an issue. I arrived up there with plenty of time to get my first few miles in, plus get my bib and chip before the race. I jogged an easy 2, as planned, and felt pretty good. Karen got there as I was picking up my chip, so I hung with her, her friend who was visiting from DC and Bradley until the race.
The race started out perfectly with my pace as planned. I started out feeling great. I was happy with the start. And then, two miles in...
A pothole snuck up on me. My right foot landed in the pothole, my ankle twisted, and down I went.
Someone helped me to my feet and I knew that my race was over. My knee and ankle were hurting. And I was worried about the baby. I helped myself off the road onto the sidewalk to sit down and gather my bearings. I just hung out for a few minutes before I decided I was going to get up and walk back to my car. When I went to stand up, I knew that I was going to have to push myself up a little bit because of the knee and ankle pain. I put my hands on the sidewalk and my right elbow gave...
But I got myself up, and headed for the car. I was already feeling down about not finishing. I was, of course worried about Addison and the fact that I had just fallen all over the place. But I didn't want to make myself feel even worse before I knew what happened. So I got in my car and headed home. I was in pain. I was crying. And I was definitely considering the emergency room at this point. I was scared and struggling to drive because my right arm was hurting when it was in differing positions.
When I got home, J reacted pretty much how I expected him to. Mad at me for risking the baby's life by running. Now you must understand that I am doing the right thing for me, my body, and my baby. And anyone, pregnant or not, could've fallen on that pothole. It just happened to be me.
Eventually he talked me into going to urgent care. I spent a long time convincing myself that I was just bruised. At that point, Addie had been moving around, there was no cramping or bleeding, and so I felt better about that. We waited a while to go back, which I assume is normal (I have never been to urgent care before), and at first they just did the normal things. Temperature, heart rate, blood pressure... all came back perfectly.
But my xray... elbow is broken. It is quite an interesting and abnormal break from my understanding. I am just in a soft cast now, I am going to see an orthopedic doctor in the morning. We are pretty sure surgery is coming... I will keep you in the loop.
Everything changed for me yesterday. Yesterday made the next 12 weeks turn upside down.
I had plans for a 2 mile warmup followed by a 5k at approximately a 9:30 pace. I had signed up for the Butterfly 5k which is a very family friendly race with dogs and strollers. I figured with that kind of crowd, keeping my pace casual should not be an issue. I arrived up there with plenty of time to get my first few miles in, plus get my bib and chip before the race. I jogged an easy 2, as planned, and felt pretty good. Karen got there as I was picking up my chip, so I hung with her, her friend who was visiting from DC and Bradley until the race.
The race started out perfectly with my pace as planned. I started out feeling great. I was happy with the start. And then, two miles in...
A pothole snuck up on me. My right foot landed in the pothole, my ankle twisted, and down I went.
Someone helped me to my feet and I knew that my race was over. My knee and ankle were hurting. And I was worried about the baby. I helped myself off the road onto the sidewalk to sit down and gather my bearings. I just hung out for a few minutes before I decided I was going to get up and walk back to my car. When I went to stand up, I knew that I was going to have to push myself up a little bit because of the knee and ankle pain. I put my hands on the sidewalk and my right elbow gave...
But I got myself up, and headed for the car. I was already feeling down about not finishing. I was, of course worried about Addison and the fact that I had just fallen all over the place. But I didn't want to make myself feel even worse before I knew what happened. So I got in my car and headed home. I was in pain. I was crying. And I was definitely considering the emergency room at this point. I was scared and struggling to drive because my right arm was hurting when it was in differing positions.
When I got home, J reacted pretty much how I expected him to. Mad at me for risking the baby's life by running. Now you must understand that I am doing the right thing for me, my body, and my baby. And anyone, pregnant or not, could've fallen on that pothole. It just happened to be me.
Eventually he talked me into going to urgent care. I spent a long time convincing myself that I was just bruised. At that point, Addie had been moving around, there was no cramping or bleeding, and so I felt better about that. We waited a while to go back, which I assume is normal (I have never been to urgent care before), and at first they just did the normal things. Temperature, heart rate, blood pressure... all came back perfectly.
But my xray... elbow is broken. It is quite an interesting and abnormal break from my understanding. I am just in a soft cast now, I am going to see an orthopedic doctor in the morning. We are pretty sure surgery is coming... I will keep you in the loop.
Friday, May 10, 2013
Differing workouts and a TEST!
So yesterday was another "take it easy on the ole IT band/quad" day. I managed to drag my rear end into the gym at 5 am, and worked hard to get some solid cardio in, even though running was out. Running is out by CHOICE right now (I am trying to remind myself of that, so I can get back at it soon). I decided to hop on a spin bike to start my cardio.
This is something that I had not noticed very often at my gym. We have a few spin bikes outside of the spin classroom that have screens attached to them so you can do a spin class solo. You just plug your headphones in, there is an instructor on the screen, and after picking the SORT of class you want, (endurance, intervals, hills, a mix) the time (if you want to) and some basic facts about yourself (gender, weight, resting heart rate if known) to help with your calorie burn, you are off! I selected "endurance" since I wasn't sure how my leg was going to handle being in and out of the saddle, so I just had a pretty flat ride. I definitely increased my resistance a lot to keep my cadence around where the program said it should be, and I ended up covered 10 miles in 26:06. Um... In case you were curious, that averages out to 23 mph. And that is NOT slow.
Maybe there is a secret triathlete in me that wants to get out? (I hope so!) Now I wonder if I can count that as "taking a Spin Class" for my 101 in 1001 list?
After the bike, I got on the treadmill just to walk and get my heart rate back down a little. It honestly was not too high (oh the differences between running and cycling!) but I had only been working out for about 25 minutes! So I walked on the TM for 20 minutes while watching sports center. When I left the gym, I felt like I had gotten in a solid cardio workout.
I made a decision yesterday. I received an email from active.com offering $20 off a $100 purchase + free shipping at Kelly's Running Warehouse. In addition, Kelly's Running Warehouse is on Ebates (<--- affiliate link!) at 3.5% cashback. I decided it was time to make a purchase that I had been putting off for a LONG time.
Source
Trail shoes. Specifically, the Brooks Cascadia 7 (the 8s are out, so the 7s are cheap right now!). I have tried these on A LOT at my running store, race expos, etc, and LOVE the feel of them. I have been trail running MORE recently and definitely could use the additional grip! (I also got a pair of shorts to get me to the $100 needed.)
I want to get into trail running, potentially ultra running (ultra running after I nail a big road running goal, that is), and I am hoping that these will help motivate me further to get out there and get it done!
Yesterday also had something else going for it.
Yes, it had Pandemonium going for it, which I finished yesterday and I LOVED, but it also was something else. Anyone recognize that lovely little red bottle? Anyone know where I am with pregnancy? 27 weeks and 4 days yesterday, and took the glucose test before my appointment!
It was definitely not the WORST thing I have ever tasted, and to be honest, I am glad that I ended up with the "red" versus the "orange". It didn't really taste like fruit punch, but it wasn't horrendous. It mostly just made me feel nauseous when I was done. I have definitely consumed more sugar than that in a sitting (hello sour worms!) but maybe because there are other things in sour worms than sugar (little protein because of the gelatin, etc) those don't make me feel nauseous. I dunno. Regardless, I am glad it is done.
I will find out early next week if there were any problems with it and if I need to come in and take that LOVELY 3 hour test. I know a lot of people do, even if they have zero issues, so I am trying to mentally prepare. I hope to avoid it though.
If you are pregnant or have had a baby, what did you think of the sugar drink? Do you own trail specific shoes? Do you want to run an ultra?
This is something that I had not noticed very often at my gym. We have a few spin bikes outside of the spin classroom that have screens attached to them so you can do a spin class solo. You just plug your headphones in, there is an instructor on the screen, and after picking the SORT of class you want, (endurance, intervals, hills, a mix) the time (if you want to) and some basic facts about yourself (gender, weight, resting heart rate if known) to help with your calorie burn, you are off! I selected "endurance" since I wasn't sure how my leg was going to handle being in and out of the saddle, so I just had a pretty flat ride. I definitely increased my resistance a lot to keep my cadence around where the program said it should be, and I ended up covered 10 miles in 26:06. Um... In case you were curious, that averages out to 23 mph. And that is NOT slow.
Maybe there is a secret triathlete in me that wants to get out? (I hope so!) Now I wonder if I can count that as "taking a Spin Class" for my 101 in 1001 list?
After the bike, I got on the treadmill just to walk and get my heart rate back down a little. It honestly was not too high (oh the differences between running and cycling!) but I had only been working out for about 25 minutes! So I walked on the TM for 20 minutes while watching sports center. When I left the gym, I felt like I had gotten in a solid cardio workout.
I made a decision yesterday. I received an email from active.com offering $20 off a $100 purchase + free shipping at Kelly's Running Warehouse. In addition, Kelly's Running Warehouse is on Ebates (<--- affiliate link!) at 3.5% cashback. I decided it was time to make a purchase that I had been putting off for a LONG time.
Trail shoes. Specifically, the Brooks Cascadia 7 (the 8s are out, so the 7s are cheap right now!). I have tried these on A LOT at my running store, race expos, etc, and LOVE the feel of them. I have been trail running MORE recently and definitely could use the additional grip! (I also got a pair of shorts to get me to the $100 needed.)
I want to get into trail running, potentially ultra running (ultra running after I nail a big road running goal, that is), and I am hoping that these will help motivate me further to get out there and get it done!
Yesterday also had something else going for it.
I will find out early next week if there were any problems with it and if I need to come in and take that LOVELY 3 hour test. I know a lot of people do, even if they have zero issues, so I am trying to mentally prepare. I hope to avoid it though.
If you are pregnant or have had a baby, what did you think of the sugar drink? Do you own trail specific shoes? Do you want to run an ultra?
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Best Summer Dinner
After yesterday's walk and Henry's insult (ok, he wasn't really insulting me, likely he was just making sure that I was feeling ok/like myself) I had an extremely productive afternoon. My team went to the Red's game, which I skipped out on because I have to leave pretty early today. They all seem to feel really bad that I didn't make it, but honestly, I do not. I was very productive at getting everything done that I wanted to, and I even was able to leave work a little bit early to get some things done at home (laundry folded and put away, my Best Body Bootcamp workout, etc).
Because I got home early and was able to hammer through the remainder of my to-do list, I decided to treat myself to a little relaxation and the pups to a little play in the backyard time.
This was my relaxing. A book and some cherry limeade nuun. The dogs had a great time racing around with each other while I just sat at the patio table and read. The weather was gorgeous! I managed to get the rest of the way through that book last night, as a matter of fact!
J got home eventually, and I cooked up some dinner. He was planning on being home earlier and doing the grilling himself, but it just did not work out because he got stuck in some terrible traffic even though it was after 6 pm when he left his office! But I stuck with our grilling dinner plan, and just took care of it myself.
Here is my version of dinner. Salad (italian blend lettuces from kroger, 3 diced strawberries, 1tbsp poppyseed dressing, 1/2 oz feta), cheeseburger with no bun, corn on the cob with about 1/2 tbsp butter. It was so delicious. J's differed a little because he had his burger on a sandwich thin with a bit of bacon, no feta on his salad, and italian dressing (as he doesn't like poppyseed because it is "white"). This dinner was so good, I luckily have leftovers to repeat it again for lunch today! I am already excited to eat it, to be honest.
Have you had any super dinners recently?
Because I got home early and was able to hammer through the remainder of my to-do list, I decided to treat myself to a little relaxation and the pups to a little play in the backyard time.
J got home eventually, and I cooked up some dinner. He was planning on being home earlier and doing the grilling himself, but it just did not work out because he got stuck in some terrible traffic even though it was after 6 pm when he left his office! But I stuck with our grilling dinner plan, and just took care of it myself.
Have you had any super dinners recently?
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