Making Progress

Hey, all!

So, let me share with you what's up in my little world.

I'm super excited to announce that my back is doing a lot better. I can bend over and pick things up most of the time, and the pain I was experiencing there constantly is pretty much gone. Hooray! Counting my blessings, let me tell you what.

The issue that I'm working through now is my sartorius muscle. I shall post a graphic to illustrate.

This muscle comes down from the hip and wraps around the front of the leg. It's also called the tailor's muscle because when you sit cross-legged like a tailor, this is the muscle that lets you do that. Here, let's find a picture of a tailor because that's fun too.

You just can't get more old-fashioned tailor than this - am I right or am I right?

Anyway, this muscle controls a lot of other things as well - lifting your leg to propel it forward when you step, keeping your knees from flying apart when you're trying to sit in a ladylike fashion, helping you stay balanced while you stand up. It keeps your body from flopping from side to side while you ride in a car and go around a corner. It's the longest muscle in your body.

This muscle in my right leg is having some real issues right now. It's inflamed, and frequently causes a burning sensation. It can lose strength at a moment's notice, making me have to sit down now. I mean, now. Hand me that chair, would ya?

So I'm still lying down a lot, and I'm depending on my wheelchair more than I'd like. The grocery store sees me in a ridey cart. Standing doesn't happen for more than a few minutes at a time. And it hurts. A lot.

But the thing is this - the pain I'm in now is a lot less than the pain I was in six weeks ago. I feel blessed. I am supported by my family, and sure, there are things I'd like to get done that I'm not, but I can see light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't been downstairs in six weeks, but my kids and husband assure me that they're cleaning up down there and keeping it vacuumed (going to just take their word for it).

Just as my back has improved, I know this muscle will too. And then I'll get to start taking gentle walks and doing other things to strengthen the whole muscle system so I can continue to heal.

Thanks again for all your friendship and support - you are awesome. You really are.

Photo credit links: http://science-naturalphenomena.blogspot.com/2011/09/sartorius-muscle.html, http://www.cutterandtailor.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=14

My Interesting Life

First off, I want to thank all of you for the outpouring of support you've given me since I announced what's going on with my back. You've blown me away with your caring and concern. Thank you!!

What's going on with me currently is as follows.

Most days, I can sit up in my recliner for about two hours, but I'm best off lying in bed. When I stand up, gravity pulls my upper half down into my hips and wigs them out, so if I'm going to a store or something with a lot of walking, I typically need to be in a wheelchair. My family has been really supportive - pushing my chair, picking up things when I drop them, etc.

I'm unable to do many of the things I would like. Housework, running errands, etc - a lot of it has to be delegated. Some days, I can only stand for a few minutes. Some days, I can only sit for a few minutes. Other days, I feel pretty good. It just all depends on the day.

On the positive side, though, the overall pain has decreased. If I'm careful and don't push beyond the limits my body has given me that day, I get along pretty well. Today I walked around too much and I've been paying the price. But when I listen, I get by.

My chiropractor is still working with me to get everything put back into place. The trick is strengthening the ligaments so they'll stay in place.

The main struggle I'm having is what it always has been - food. I can't stand up long enough to prepare a meal, so once again, I'm dependent on others to help me, and ... let's just say that sometimes ... it doesn't taste good.  :)  But I'm doing some kitchen training and hopefully I'll get my staff into shape.  :)

So that's what's up over here. Learning my limitations and seeking ways to stretch those boundaries without hurting myself. Trying to be patient when I want to do things I can't do. Appreciating my family and the support they give me.