Cracked!

I went to my very first chiropractic session yesterday.  I went in with a bit of apprehension and a bit of hope.  My heart dropped a little when the chiropractor greeted me.  About 4 inches shorter than I (even in platform shoes), likely 50 pounds lighter, and wearing a dress; this woman did not appear to me like someone who was prepared to, let alone able to realign a body.

Over the course of about 20 minutes I explained my situation and answered her questions about my various aches and pains and my lifestyle.  I began to think that this first visit would go no further than information gathering.  Eventually, this kind woman pointed to the most segmented "table" I've ever seen and told me to lie down.  She pushed and prodded my back and leg for several minutes, folded and swiveled that table in several directions to check my flexibility, and finally declared that she would adjust my hips and an ankle.  In a few calculated efforts she coaxed a pop out of each side of my pelvis and finally my ankle.  This took less than 3 minutes.  No pain. No major relief. Just a minor joint pop out of each.

Then this seemingly kind woman conducted a deep tissue massage on my thigh.  She talked and smiled as she dug her thumbs in, around, and over the spot where I already hurt.  "Think of it like scar-tissue," she suggested, "We've got to break that down and free it up."  There's a knot on the side of my thigh about the size of a marble, and by the time I left I thought it more accurately resembled a quarter.  She was indeed kind though, pretending to not see the tears, thus saving me a little pride. 

When she declared she had done enough, she had the gall to invite me back in a few days...and a couple days after that...and a few days after that.  Swallowing thickly, I accepted.

The result?  Today I feel like I did a moderate core workout on my hips.  They do feel a bit looser.  And my outer thigh is VERY tender to the touch.

Diagnoses

There was a time in my youth that I thought everything was cut and dry.  I imagined that everything was perfectly engineered and that doctors knew everything about the body.  Sometimes I wish that were true because the more I learn the more I find we don't know.

I mentioned last month that I had a stress fracture back in 2002.  I've got the X-rays from back then, and have recent X-ray pics now to compare.  They look the same...at least to me.  So apparently stress fractures are supposed to heal and be stronger than pre-fracture conditions.  The fact that my pain is back and the symptoms are still visible means that the diagnosis of 'stress fracture' was wrong.  Strike One!

I've been attending physical therapy for a couple of weeks now.  After 15 minutes in the PT office the new diagnosis was presented:  Over-pronation and excess strain on the I-T-Band (the muscle/tendon that spans the outer thigh).  We've been subsequently loosening the I-T-Band and strengthening my hips to alleviate the problem.  There's been some progress, and I can now run about 2 miles with minimal pain.

Yesterday I visited with an Orthopedic Physician's Assistant for whom my Dr. has high regard.  He cast out the I-T-Band diagnosis (Strike Two!) and pinned my problems to biomechanics.  He showed me that my pelvis is not aligned which causes everything below it to be off-kilter.  In a couple of days I'll meet with a Sports Chiroquackter who is supposed to realign me. 

The thing is, I've been out of line for a long time, so I wonder about this new idea.  Third time's a charm?

Frosty Commute

There are two notable happenings from my morning commute when the temperature dips below freezing AND the dew point:

#1 Little pieces of frost-laden sand stick to my tires just long enough to be flung like mini rooster-tails.  The result is a tinny ping ping as those pieces of sand bounce off my frame.  (note:  this only happens on my road bike which 1: is constructed of high-quality steel and 2: has no fenders) 
This sound also prompts me to wonder if I am experiencing greater rolling resistance because my tires are momentarily freezing to the asphalt and then being ripped away from it.  No wonder my ride time was slower today!

#2 I take great care when taking that final turn onto the bridge over the river.  Today I actually felt my front tire slip a little.  My speedometer read 25 mph at that moment, and I was very relieved to have quick instincts to regain balance! 
Interesting that outside of such moments the reason I take it easy on that corner is because I don't want to create a spectacle for my co-workers walking from the parking lot, but IN the moment I take it easy because I don't want to hit that frozen asphalt!

2010 Projects

We here in the Spokenagel home thrive on doing projects.  We are often sad to report "same 'ol, same 'ol" when talking to parents/friends/neighbors.  We like to talk about the projects we are working on or planning to work on or saving our money to work on.  We like to accomplish things.  So in accordance with this tradition, here is our first quarter 2010 project list.  (Changes immenent!)

Project #1

To begin with, we have another Ralph-inspired item.  The inspiration for this Barbie (TM) house dates back to Sarah's childhood.  In fact, she insisted that my improper vision be corrected...as shown here:

I still hold to new ideas (at Sarah's behest) however, and will place the stairs functionally as Ralph has done on his more recent creations.  I also maintain the right to add my own innovations.  See the accessory drawers shown here:

I mocked it up for Caitin and pointed out where each room was.  She latched on quickly, excitedly saying, "Dad!  We will have to buy furniture for the family room and beds for the bedrooms and a table for the kitchen!"

Project #2

Budget for Barbie (TM) house furnishings.

Project #3

Behold!  Preliminary drawings for Halloween 2010.  (As envisioned while showering before church this morning.)  Drawing is self explanitory, but for those who are not aclimated to reading schematics...imagine a functional pony hind quarters that straps on like a backpack.  Created using spare bicycle parts, an old backpack, paper machet, a recycled mop, and balsa wood-framing, this lightweight derier will walk with the child who wears it (child not included). 

Sisters

I had the privelage of staying home with the girls Monday morning this week, and the greater privelage of catching them in a great mood when they awoke!  We watched Curious George and then had breakfast together.  After breakfast it was time to get ready for the day, and Caitin not only got herself ready, but also picked out clothes and helped Jamie out.

Sarah leads me to believe that this is not normal behavior.  I find it hard to believe these sweeties could be any different:

I mean...the best I ever got out of my older sister was a generous helping of fresh mud pie.

Standing Out

There's a lot of pretending that goes on at our house.  It's run-of-the-mill now.  Once in a while though, we have stand-out days. 

After work yesterday I walked in the house to see cupcakes on the counter.  I barely acknowledged them, but eventually learned there was a story behind them.  That story, to me at least, was outstanding.

It's simple, really:  Caitin and Jamie wanted to throw Mom a pretend birthday party.  (not very surprising, given that Sarah's birthday is coming up soon)  The outstanding part was that Sarah latched on and suggested that they make real cupcakes for their party.  It could be reasoned that cupcakes are no big deal, but these were decorated with pink frosting with sugar sprinkles...making them the real deal.  Apparently a birthday party ensued with singing and even balloons! 

Maybe next time they'll invite me...