Just realised

that I had forgotten to take the anti-inflammatory meds the last two days. Hmm, I guess they had been making a difference. Took one today and will see how I do.

addendum

Went to the pool. Right hip was KILLING me whilst I was doing the walking laps. Then it stopped before I got out. Strange. I iced for a while when I got home, so hoping that put off any idea it had of flaring up again. :-)

weekend update

I've been busy playing with a new toy.  How I love new toys.  This one is a biggie though.  Just getting it out of the box almost destroyed me.  I can't believe how heavy they make these Macs! Anyway, with some difficulty I did get it out of the box and set up.  I've even sussed out how to transfer items from my PC using that as a server.  I amaze myself sometimes as I'm not too tech savvy.  So I've been spending much time trying to learn the Mac way - and I have to admit there are certain things that drive me a bit wonky.  A lot of programs don't work with it.  Ah well, it's purpose is for my photography so that is what I will use it primarily for anyway.  Still, takes some getting used to.  I've been trying to not spend to much time at one time on it as I don't want my hand to start up.  It's been pretty good since the injection on Wednesday and I don't want to irritate it.  

Yesterday I took a break in the afternoon for some wine and cheese at Uva.  I love that place.  It's so reasonable and you can sit for hours just talking and hanging out and they're cool about it.  It was a self-imposed, pre-planned break from the computer.  I didn't want to lock myself up for the whole weekend just playing with it.

I decided to start spring cleaning today.  I thought I had been feeling well but after I got started my hips decided they didn't like the plan.  I do still want to go to the pool but need to get motivated now that I'm in pain.  Still, I must go and strengthen.  I'll ice twice as much after!  Besides if I don't leave for a break I'll keep at the cleaning and really destroy me for the rest of the weekend.  I still have to do laundry as well, but the more I think about it, the more I think that will be tomorrows chore.  Moderation is key to my life - that's what the keep telling me anyway.  And I have to remember to get all those test results for the rheumy appointment this week.  And tomorrow night going to see a singer in the village which will be a nice treat.  Don't nearly get down there enough!

Ok, must give myself a swift kick in the arse and get going!  It's hard to leave though as my brother told me about this cool website, pandora.com. You put in your favourite band and they come up with a stream of songs.  It's pretty amazing that 95% of the songs they are playing I like, then again not too surprising as it's all 80's and I'm so trapped in that time period.  Still, lots of stuff I haven't heard in a while like OMD, TFF, Psychedelic Furs, etc.  V. v. cool!

Day after the (wrist) injection

Day one seems to be going pretty well with the hand pain barely there. Quite a relief, though I won't get my hopes up too high as these things tend to wear off at some point. But I am hoping it doesn't wear off. My wrist was so sore yesterday that I even iced it after the pool. When I woke up this morning it was much better though, even with sleeping with the splint on.

The pool went pretty well, though I was definitely sore afterwards. I iced both hips for a while when I got home, and that helps. I am still a bit sore today but not bad at all. My pool 'workout' consists of about 5 minutes walking forward, 5 backwards, then 5 sideways. After that I do the leg lifts to the side, back and the bending knee one. I did add the squats again per S's instruction at PT on Monday, but I am wondering if that was why I was more sore after than I have been. I made sure not to go down too far and to keep my legs in the position he told me to. Unfortunately the gym near me has the pool closed tomorrow, so I will either go down to 34th or I will go on Saturday and Sunday. I am thinking that is more likely as my new baby is arriving tonight - at least that's what FedEx has been saying - so I will be busy playing around with that.

Regarding the rheumatologist, her office sent a bunch of paperwork over to fill out. To be honest they could really do with fixing the forms up, the q's seem pretty general and there's a lot of stuff missing that they should ask for. I have to dig up my most recent reports this weekend so I can copy them and bring them with me next week, as requested.

Could be worse

PT on Monday went well. We did everything the same as last week, sans the balance board, and I think that made all the difference in the world. That balance board and I have been enemies from the beginning. I've never done it without getting some sort of pain from it. And the best is I have not limped since the weekend! How exciting is that? Now the really exciting part of this story is that last night I wore my v. v. high heels - 3" heels - to be exact. I haven't worn those in probably a year or so! And I was okay standing and walking at the Purim do I went to. Yeah! (Ok, to be honest I have a slight ache in my groin, but it's not too horrible so I'm not complaining.) I missed the pool yesterday but will go after work today so we shall see how I fare with that.

Today was my appointment with Dr. Melone. I must add he is an amazing doctor. After all of my experience with the medical profession I feel I have acquired the expertise to judge these things :-) That and the fact I can still use my hands because of him!

I admit I was quite nervous about the visit today. My greatest fear was him saying the last surgery didn't "stick" and we'd have to go back it. That has happened before with my hand/wrist so it was a real concern. Thankfully though he sussed out immediately where the pain was originating from and saw that there was - now be ready because I'm sure you'll be surprised - INFLAMMATION! How shocking! Me? Have something inflamed in my body? Never! Ha ha. I did fill him in on all the recent excitement between hips and shoulders and genetic doctors and the such. The result of the hand/finger pain was he gave me an injection into the base of my thumb area where it meets my wrist, and I've been given another splint to add to my collection! I am only to wear it for 24 hours and then only at night. He also wants me to use puddy to play with to strengthen the hand as well. Now I know the next question is - what happens if the injection doesn't work? (BTW, the injection hurt like hell, but it was nice and numb for a bit. Sadly that wore off so now it's just sore from the needle and the splint.) Well, the S word was mentioned. He was funny - said to me "Oh you've never had minor hand surgery have you?" I was like, hmm, not that I'm aware of. He said if he does have to do that, he cuts in that area where the injection was done and does something to the tendons. Yes, I know I usually pay much better attention but once he said "SURGERY" my brain turned off and I didn't hear another word. The scar would be about an inch - another one for my collection :-) Yes that part I heard. Frankensteins monster likes to know how big the scars are going to be. The surgery itself takes about 20 minutes (which for me would probably be double, if we go by past history) and it's done under a local and outpatient. To be fair, it wasn't my worse case scenario so I'm pretty relieved over all. Now it's just a waiting game. I'm really hoping the injection works because I can't comprehend any more cutting, even if it's "minor" by some opinions.

I best stop typing as I was told to rest the hand today.

my lovely new spint