What Happens Now?

Almost there…(ignore all distractions)

This has been a journey. I have tried ignoring the pain, running/limping through the pain, and then doing something that might or might not work. And all this time I can’t do what I really love and it shows. People are worried about me(damn does my stress show that much?!),I look grumpy(“…you have a frowny face…”-thanks honey!), and I’m just not myself(“…you have bags under your eyes…”-well you’re a fountain of sunshine today honey!). Okay we know exercise brings out the good endorphins, and getting minimal exercise kind of sucks my good mood out of me. Big time.

So today was my last PRP injection. I have been looking forward to this day since my 2nd shot. However getting here hasn’t been easy. Still going through a lot of pain. Restless sleep, pain; cycling, cut short because pain; and pain even sitting with my legs stretched out. Can it just stop already?! I keep thinking about the scene with Harry Potter and the school nurse in the Chamber of Secrets, “…regrowing bones will be painful…a nasty business…”. And even though I’m hopefully healing a meniscus tear and not regrowing bones, it is awful!

The third injection was the most painful, and it took all of my self control not to do a knee jerk. The doctor even asked if I was okay(yes my face showed it all). Now I wait and hope and pray that in 6 weeks(July 1st) I will be back to normal. 4 days of total rest with heating pad and then back to strength and walking right in time for Memorial Day 5k. I’m hiking in July up in NC so hopefully everything will be good. No running until after I see Dr M. Can I survive? Yes! Why? Because I have to believe. Believe-believe in the process, and believe that my body will heal itself.

Keeping those positive vibes going

So patience and keeping a positive outlook is key right now. I have to trust that this will work. I’m a test subject right now because if this works, then Chris might take the leap and get back to his running journey courtesy of PRP. My journey continues , stay tuned.

Remember it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey, Mercedes

Is that a bone spur in your knee or you just happy to see me?

Not there yet

Two weeks since my first shot…no change. Lots of heating pad and pain relief medicine since then. Light strength training, and I mean light-5 lbs weight and only arms. Then walking and more walking.

At least that’s something. Right? Now onto my 2nd PRP injection. I was hoping they took enough blood last time so I wouldn’t have that again. Yeah no. I had blood taken out last week on my left arm and that still is bruised and tender, so right arm it is.

After an hour in the centrifuge, I receive the 2nd shot and wouldn’t you know it hurt worse than the first shot. The doctor did a sonogram on my knee and he pointed out some bone spurs too. What else is causing me to have this bum right knee-ugh?! So back to resting it for four days with heat and pain relief meds.

My mantra

Rest is not my forte but if I want it to heal then rest I must. I’m going to be grumpier than a bear out of hibernation so if I growl at you please don’t take it personally. Right now it doesn’t hurt at all.

2nd day.

Okay that was a rough night. So more pain relief meds and heating pad at least this morning and before bed. I should be ready to walk(slowly) for Saturday’s Mother’s Day 5k. And hoping for light strength training on Friday. The weather is getting downright miserable. My comeback race if everything goes well should be the Celebration 5k.

3rd day & 4th day.

No exercise is a tough pill to swallow. Nights can be a little leg restless but daytime is much better. Still doing heating pad and pain meds more as a prevention. Now to wait two more weeks until the next injection and hoping this works. I am not a great injured patient and are becoming more and more grumpy. Luckily tomorrow is my first day back to light strength training and then onto walking a 5k.

This journey isn’t over yet.

Remember it’s not about the destination it’s about the journey, Mercedes