I called the UCSF Spine Center scheduling department today because I hadn’t received a call from them (doctors are always much more optimistic on how soon appointments can be set up). No one picked up so I left a message for Collette (her voicemail message said she made call-backs between 9 — 10am and 1 […]
Surgery It Is
July 20, 2009 By 4 Comments
I was surprised to learn that when a disc ruptures and disc matter comes out, there is a chemical component to the event as well. Dr. Tay said the chemicals add to the pain at the on start. begin with. During the surgery to get the disc matter out, they also suck out any of the chemicals they can in addition to blood that came as a result of the original rupture. I have to admit that my legs got a little queasy at the mention of blood. That was the first time I had heard anything about blood being involved. Suddenly my back felt worse. The blood seemed to make it all that much worse.
On Pins and Needles
July 14, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I paid my first visit ever to an acupuncturist yesterday — her name is Beth. This was the first time I had ever visited one, and maybe even the first time I had ever come face to face with one. Turns out, they’re not necessarily sadochists who get pleasure out of inflicting pain on people. […]
Five Froggy Fingers
July 9, 2009 By 2 Comments
I recently finished reading the incredibly eye-opening and delightfully inspiring book Born to Run, by Christopher McDougall. In it, Chris introduces us to Barefoot Ted, a big man with a big mouth and an equally big heart who used to have terrible foot pains that crippled his running ability. He began to walk without shoes […]
Suspended Physical Therapy
July 3, 2009 By Leave a Comment
During my physical therapy session yesterday I discussed with my therapist, Gayle, the decision of Dr. Saal’s to send me for surgery (a discectomy). Gayle recommended that since I was going to have the surgery, we suspend sessions until after the surgery (consultation with surgeon is currently scheduled for the 12th of Aug.!). She gave me […]
Looking at the Lumbar
July 2, 2009 By 10 Comments
Vicodin Haze
July 1, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Walk through living room into kitchen. Open fridge. Stare inside. not at any particular item. Just stare. Close fridge and turn around to face living room with an inquisitive look. Begin to walk back into living room with no recollection of what you were hoping to achieve by entering the kitchen. Continue back to the bedroom thinking […]
Dean Would be Proud
June 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I finished reading Ultramarathon Man by Dean Karnazes this morning. I was inspired, and tired. After reading about Dean’s long and extreme runs up and down the Sierra mountains, the scorching heat of Death Valley, and to the South Pole, I decided I had to set out on my own adventure. Surely, with the endorphins racing through […]
The Big Outing
June 28, 2009 By Leave a Comment
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The Sole of the Problem
I recently finished reading Born to Run, A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen. To say that it turned everything I thought I knew about running upside down would be an understatement. I literally discovered that things I had just learned about running – and from some of the most accomplished coaches out there – were completely wrong. In fact, some of the lessons people taught me could very well have been contributing to my injuries!