Well, the MS is REALLY TRYING to give me the one-two punch to keep me from running. I have been dealing with a "wobbly" ankle since late fall. I have seen a GREAT sports medicine doctor at University of Wisconsin. She sent me to a GREAT physical therapist in Rockford, IL. I have been going and doing his exercises faithfully (VERY FAITHFULLY!!!) That is GREAT!! He has been working on having me strenghten the abductor and adductor muscles in my left hip. The MS has basically (in my kindergarden medical terms - FUCKED WITH THEM)! As we know - EVERYTHING ALWAYS RUNS DOWNHILL... standard fact of life, right? So back to the kindergarden medical terms it has caused my ankle to be unsteady and wobbly. OK - so I have been doing the 25 exercises (many of those are counted as 1. right-side then 2. left-side) for 2 mins each. I was doing these DAILY AND I MEAN EVERY MORNING. I am usually awake at about 4a because the neuropathy and spasms start in on my legs and feet. So I might as well get up and be productive with my time... So anyway, I get up and go over to our little gym and do those
LOVELY AND I MEAN LOVELY hip and balance exercises. I have been progressing very well with these exercises and me the type A person I am --- well I have been "dismissed" from physical therapy. But I am to continue the exercises 3X (
AND STRICT ORDERS OF ONLY 3X PER WEEK)!!! So - OK! That is exactly what I have done. This last weekend the weather was actually decent. It has been SO VERY LONG since we have had that. I was outside running as quick as this little MS body could move. Saturday I did a shorter run of only 7.45 miles. I really felt pretty good. On Sunday, the weather was GREAT!!! I ended up running 12.49 miles. I really kind of wanted to go farther but was pooping out the last few miles. Oh, well. Afterwards, I was tired (expected), my feet were burning (expected - due to MS neuropathy), and my left ankle hurting. All week the pain in my ankle has been intense. We started our Run Club on Monday and I could not even run. That says ALOT for me!!! I did call the therapist on Tuesday. He told me to put ice packs on it and brace it. Also to let him know next week how it was feeling. I also informed him of my forecasted running schedule. I did do ONE very short run on Wednesday and the ankle did hurt afterwards. Finally, today (Friday) the pain is better. But, it almost feels like I have a pebble at the bottom of my ankle bone. It is very odd. So I did go and see my primary Doc today. He is sending me to a podiatrist. I see him in about a week and a half. My doc says that, he thinks it could be a bone spur or something tendon related. He told me to continue having it braced and put cold compresses after workouts and moist heat after workouts/runs. Otherwise, to take Ibuprofen for the pain. So as of the moment, I am not starting the running season on a high note. It is frustrating to say it lightly. But, I will bitch and whine, of course... Also - I will continue my fight.... Did the MS cause this issue - don't know... Really, until we find out what it is - no one knows... So YES - right now - I am a bit bummed... but I will continue YES -- and ALWAYS AND FOREVER FORWARD!!!!!
Yes, this picture is real! This was the scene looking out my backyard on Saturday morning. That is NOT SNOW BUT HAIL!!!! Yes, there was really this amount of hail. I was planning on going out in the morning and try to get in a run. I'm VERY GLAD I looked at the forecast prior. It had been looking like rain all morning. Believe it or not, I did get a short run that day late in the afternoon. Sunday was nothing but rain and cold. This is not my year for running. My ankle is still VERY PAINUL!!! (Understatement!). I am doing nothing but eating Ibuprofen and alternate cold packs and moist heat. I really pray that next week this Doctor can fix me!!! This has been HELL!!!! I was hoping to get in a long run this weekend but, I don't know. I have been doing some short runs this week and I have REALLY been hurting.
Sometimes - life is a BITCH!!!
I know the MS caused the "wobble" in my ankle which caused this issue. Which then in turn, caused this "whatever" with my ankle!!! I may whine and bitch but, I will not ALLOW the MS monster to take me down!!!! It can go right to HELL where it belongs!!!!
So right now, I am trying to run what I can. It is hard because, any run I do I pay the price with the aftermath. The pain is getting more intense.
I just have to go with the thought that next week I will be getting an answer to this nightmare. That is all I can do!!!
In the meantime - ALWAYS FORWARD!!!!
