Yes, Hope is

So far, I've been to Dylan Lin 4 times; three times for adjustments, and by George, it seems to be working.  I can say tonight's stretches went almost without pain.  I could definitely tell a big difference from the last time I did them.  The ball stuff was still a bit rough, but the lying-on-the- back leg stretches were almost comfortably executed....


Whew,  it is so good to see a bit of light at the end of the tunnel!
I have god to thank.  He is the one who helps me sit down and get back up.  And I can say I only had trouble getting up once today, where I could tell the pinching might have reached from hip to knee.  But it didn't...


And I could get up without holding on and cringing.  Praise God!


Another good thing happened.  When Mom called and pressed me to tell her what kind of doctor I was going to, I explained what was going on, using the word, subluxation.  I didn't lie.  I was bold.   I explained how it is pressure on the discs causing the nerves to be ineffective, cutting off the nerve flow to the various organs.


I mentioned how people go for years treating the symptoms with various pills so they can function, but how they never really get to the root of the problem.  Of course, I didn't say her name or Dad's name, but I think she could tie two and two to get four.


She did make a grunty grudge sound when I told her I was going to a chiropractor, and I could tell she was not convinced, and she said a few so called encouraging words to "support" me; but she is still very skeptical.  Only god can open her eyes.  She mentioned how her friend in Florida had an epidural for her back problem.  I told her the pain is a signal there is something wrong and covering it up can be dangerous and exacerbate the problem.


Well, I can thank God for all the help.  I depend on him for everything, every breath, every word, every victory is from him.  Amen.

new chiropractor, new exercises; new hope?

I do have some twinges of fear when it comes to hoping anything will ever help my back/legs.


I can name the chiropractors who have already tried to help.  The guy in NC, Dr. John in B'ton, Dr. Bob in B'ton (the most helpful and also the one who labeled it a, "Hip rotation problem",) Dr. John in Glen Ellyn, Dr. John in Irving, the Drs Parker in Irving, Dr. Gilmore and Dr. Shock in Florida, and now Dr. Dylan Lin in Colleyville.  


The last one is probably going to be the last one.  He is definitely the strongest one.  He also said it is a hip rotation problem working in a sort of catch 22 with the subluxations that keeps the discs from healing.  Discs do heal with proper treatment apart from what the surgeons tell you.  


This situation did not come overnight.  And as Dr. Dylan says, "It will heal in God's time."  Glad to hear him mention your name.  Also wonder to what God he is addressing it.  But I do like him.  He is direct, concise, to the point, and does seem to be caring.


Maybe Mark meeting him at Sprouts was a God send.  I am hoping.


So far, he has told me to quit doing some exercises and start doing some others.


Today I have done 10 deep knee bends (holding on) and 10 lunges (also holding on.)  I am going to try to go up 2 each day until it feels like it is getting stronger...  Then do that a week and try to add more, eventually letting go!  Yikes~  it seems that will be a while.


I am probably not going to the gym anymore.  But I will go to the pool when I can get there and continue with the 20 min. of stretching, do 35 min. laps and some bicycles in the deep end as a cool down.


Now to get the car registered, so I can drive on the windy days.  Yes, and the hot days, which means from now until October..prolly.


Also I am going to do the ball rolls and pops along with walking on the walker, which is what is calling me right now...


Yes, I dare to hope.


I know you do love me and want what is best for me and the family.
I love you too.

What am I to do?

Assuming the thing about wives submitting themselves to their husbands is true and right, I guess I will be going to a new chiropractor in Colleyville for a while.  Not that I have to pump up hope about it working, I am content to leave it in the Lord's hands by dutifully going, starting this Thursday afternoon.  (and assuming he gets off work in time for me to get there on time.)


But while I was sitting in the salt bath last night, I took note of the toilet tank having been made in Westport and remembered my "spiritual awakening" while sitting at pond's edge in that very city in Connecticut quite a few years back.  I thought, "Why am I still around here being as useless as I am?"  Maybe I should do some writing.  Memoirs.  But not too introspective.  Just sort of lay it out.  I should get better, so I can work.  I should work out this problem.  or maybe not.  Maybe I should just do what comes naturally, and that is write.


I feel so useless, so helpless with this problem.  I have tried going to the gym and doing all the exercises the various Dr.s have told me to do.  Now I find several of them are said to be wrong for my problem.  This doc says to do lunges and deep knee bends.  I don't think he has a clue how much pain that costs.  I am not sure he is going to be helpful at all.  I am really confused.  I guess I'll write a book.


But this book, "The Pond at Westport" or "Pond at Westport" or Westport Pond" or whatever,  will be autobiographical.  It is not easy to admit the sins of one's youth, but maybe, just maybe it will serve to be helpful to someone someday.


Now, how to go about it.  I have never written just on a machine.  always longhand.  But longhand is not so easy for me right now.  So blogging a book?  Is that how one does it?

ouch

Almost got stuck on exercise ball again.  boy, it hurt, no matter which way I went.


But esp. left small circles.  Tried to do each for the timed sequence, but that was too difficult.  I just did enough that I could get off the dang thing without excruciating pain.  


Appt. tomorrow at 8 A.M. with Dr. Lin in Colleyville.  He purportedly understands the, "Rotated hip" syndrome.   I must admit I have about as much hope for genuine help as I have for the earth to stop rotating on its axis.  Now, why I would ever hope for that is a good question... Maybe to hold off summer a bit longer.  I do hope for a miracle, though.


We are having beautiful weather, but with the pain shooting down to the knee, there isn't much I can do outside.  Will try to get a load hanging out on the line tomorrow.  Mark did mow back there, and it looks nice.  He also put fresh water in the bird bath, which the doves seem to relish.


Had a difficult conversation with Mom tonight.  I know she only believes in traditional medicine, but she says she doesn't want me to undergo surgery.  She just doesn't think alternative options are real options.  I tried to tell her the pain should be pointing to a remedy, not just treated and ignored.  I ignored the pain while on vacation, bent and sat way too much, quit going to the gym, and now I am in a pickle of a mess.   Many get epidurals but that only numbs the pain which should be minded to get a solution for restoration.


Well, gotta get brave now and try the stretches... ouch... hurts just lying here and thinking about it...


Though he slay me, yet will I trust him.

Back but not back

A week ago today I rode Huli to the gym.  There was absolutely no wind, the rains had stopped a short time previous to my decision to try the trip, the sky was absolutely clear blue, the air was clean and smelled so like spring.  It was one of those rare 68ish cool days, just warm enough but not so warm one breaks out in a sweat.


The routine went easily (I purposefully only did the lightest weights and didn't try for speed in swimming the laps) enough as did the ride home.


I didn't even feel the need for icing, although I did, since the trip to Florida made me feel very very sore, esp. after the long trip home.


Then the warmer weather popped back up, along with stronger and gustier winds, which has prevented me from riding back to the gym.


So, I have not done much.  Tried to finish unpacking, tried vacuuming and mopping (although a two year old could have done it as well as I) but pain came back with a vengeance.


Two trips to the chiropractor later, and all feels much like the same ole, same ole...


Kinda frustrating, but I realize God is in control and sovereign.  I will not complain.  I will trust Him, that he knows what he is doing.