Monday, September 24, 2012

Old Friends

My best friend from kindergarten came up the other day. We spent most of the day together just chatting and catching up, while playing a game here and there. She brought her little new baby. It was fun to see her and chat about her life.  It's funny how you can not see someone for years and are able to pick up right where you left off. Love those kind of friends! 

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Pity Party

So, I've been feeling bad for myself lately. Having my own pity party.

Playing basketball in high school my senior year, I hurt my right leg in a game. Thought it was just a pulled muscle, etc. and treated it with ice, rest, etc. Every now and then, my leg would hurt on and off, especially when I was running or doing something crazy like a 5k. It was always just an annoying pain that usually went away with enough rest, ice, and meds.

After hiking miles in Glacier and roving around Calgary, my leg hurt so bad I could hardly walk. I'm sure my friend Misty thought I was a being a baby (sorry friend!), but I couldn't help it my leg hurt so bad! The day I got home, I scheduled an appointment with an orthopedic sports specialist. The diagnosis?  Hip Dysplasia. Stunned? I was, too. Apparently it's not just for babies and dogs.

Read more about it here.  Looks like fun, no?

The treatment recommended by the doctor? A Peri-Actabular Osteotomy. PAO for short. Here's a little blurb for you from the interwebs.


Peri-Acetabular Osteotomy

This surgery involves cutting the pelvis around the hip joint and shifting it into a better position to support the stresses of walking. After the hip is re-positioned, it is held in place with screws until the bone heals. After the bone heals, the screws can be removed, but this is not usually necessary.
Doesn't this sound so exciting?! Oh, and you can't put full weight on your leg for around 8 weeks. You can't cross your legs ever again. You can't sleep on your stomach (I do!).  So, I've been working out (harder now that my leg is constantly killing me), eating healthy, and doing all that good stuff to get better in shape for this. I think I might also have to plan a trip somewhere fabulous as a secondary reward (because let's face it, surgery would not be any type of reward). I've also been thinking about my little condo. I live in a third floor walk-up. That would be fun on crutches for weeks, no? The only good thing that could ever come of this is getting a better parking spot, if I can even drive.  Plus, I'm sure a walker and cane would make me even more dateable.