We Have a Plan
On Friday, I finally had my long awaited appointment with my spine doctor. Basically, he said exactly what I thought he’d say – they don’t call me Dr. Deb for nothing! Most likely my L4-L5 disc bulge is inflamed and swollen again, and is pressing against my sciatic nerve, much like in 2012. He said that unlike in 2012, insurance will rarely pay for an MRI until some sort of rehab has been tried.
He prescribed anti-inflammatories and physical therapy for six to eight weeks. If that doesn’t help, he said my insurance would most likely cover the cost of an MRI so we can see if there’s a more severe problem. In the meantime, he said I can do whatever doesn’t hurt. Hopefully, with the meds and PT the sharp pain in my right glute and numbness in my right foot will go away soon.
Ironically, after writing in several places in my mountain of paperwork that sitting causes me the most pain, I had to sit for an hour and ten minutes before the doctor saw me…
Other Newsworthy Happenings
Our kids were in town for the weekend so we could celebrate the many January and February birthdays in our family – four of the six of us have birthdays between January 20th and February 22nd. Equally important, we celebrated Pablo’s gotcha day. One year ago today, Daniel and Jess adopted Pablo from Alabama and I can’t even begin to describe the joy that sweet pup has brought to our entire family.
What birthday celebration is complete without brick oven pizza, funfetti cake, and party cake ice cream?
And Now on to a Run-down of this Past Week’s Workouts…
Running
Still no running except for running across the parking as a driver slowed to let me cross, and that left me with no pain, a very good sign. Remember when few weeks ago an easy jog to the mailbox hurt?
Biking
True to my promise to myself, I rode my spin bike three times this week. With two organized rides coming up this spring I’ve got to be ready!
Strength Training
Like last week, I got in three solid weight lifting sessions and continued to focus on my core.
Yoga
I continued to keep my yoga poses gentle, but think I’ll add in some of my old classes this coming week and see how I feel. If anything hurts, I’ll stop until we transition into the next pose.
Last Week on the Blog
In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…
- Sunday – Waiting for Friday’s Answers
- Thursday – Runfessions of a Nincompoop Race Shirt Hoarder Who Drinks Margaritas out of a Pint Glass
Looking ahead to this coming week…
- Thursday – I’ll be celebrating my six years of blogging anniversary with a fun giveaway. Be sure you stop by on Thursday!
- Friday – I’ll be joining in on the Ultimate Coffee Date fun with Deborah and Coco.
In addition to the workouts I mentioned above, here’s a complete run-down of my workouts from this past week (completed mostly in our home gym)…
- Questions:
- If you blog, how many years have you been at it?
- What are your favorite pizza toppings?
- Did you race this weekend?
And that’s a wrap… Have a great week!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.
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I’m linking up with Holly at HoHo Runs and Wendy from Taking The Long Way Home for their Weekly Wrap. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!
I find prolonged sitting so uncomfortable too. It makes my back and my neck hurt. Did Pablo get to enjoy any of his birthday pizza?
No pizza for Pablo, but he did get some doggie treats! 😀
I’m glad you got some answers. Is that really true about the MRI? We order them all the time! I hope that the rehab helps.
Happy GotMeDay to Pablo!
Wendy recently posted…Hell is Actually Freezing Over
That’s what he told me. Maybe because it’s a reoccurring injury (but it has been seven years)?
Glad to hear that you seem to be moving in the right direction with your injury. Sitting is excruciating for me too. Driving in the car is the worst. Your Pablo is a lucky dog!
Laurie recently posted…Runfessions – January
Me, too! Here’s to pain-free running for the both of us by spring!
I’m glad you got some answers. Insurance and health care is so frustrating. Hopefully, PT helps!
I hope so, too!
I’m glad you got some answers! I’ll definitely keep you in my prayers!
Thank you so much!
I’ve been blogging six years…I think Jan. 24th may be the date when it all started. I did a lot of blogging in the first couple years, but it took me awhile to catch on to the link-ups and how they worked LOL Ironically, Jan. 24th is also Max’s Gotcha Day; we’ve had him four years 😉 As for pizza, pepperoni is my absolute favorite topping, sausage is a close second.
Happy belated blogiversary and happy gotcha day to Max!
I’m glad that you at least have an answer for your pain but that’s crappy that the doctor made you wait so long! I hope that the PT and anti-inflammatory medicine will help you start to feel better.
Thanks, Kim!
So glad you have a plan and SO ironic and ridiculous how long you had to wait to be seen!!! Insane. Glad you got some good time on the bike 🙂 and plenty of time celebrating too! I hope those pizzas were as good as they look!
Allie recently posted…The Rundown – I Can’t Feel My Legs
Thanks, Allie! And believe me, those pizzas were every bit as good as they look!
Do you find that riding on your spin bike feels the same as riding on your road bike? I’m just curious since most of us have a bike fitting for our outdoor bikes. I didn’t know Pablo came from Bama. I knew I liked him! 😉 Hope you get some relief with your current plan. Thanks for linking!
I can move my handle bars up/down/forward/back and can move my seat up/down/forward/back so I can adjust it to be very similar to my bike. Of course, conditions such as wind and heat aren’t factors in my climate controlled basement so it does seem easier.
My current blog has been up for a little over 4 years. Prior to that I had another blog or two, but they were just for my family, about my kids. I had my “kids” blog made into a book one year and gave it to my mother in law as a Christmas gift! She really liked that. Speaking of blogging gifts, I will be emailing you soon 🙂 [spoiler alert]
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures recently posted…Weekly workouts – is it a good idea? GCM week 4 recap
I love the idea of turning the blog into a book and can imagine that your mother-in-law would love it!
Yay for answers. Hopefully the PT helps
Odd that you need rehab to warrant an MRI — when MRI could tell what needs rehabbing.
I’ve had this blog on and off since 2002 when I was living in Japan. I’ve been mostly consistent the last two years.
Cari recently posted…Tuesday Topics: Lebow 2.0 #MedalMonday
Wow, since 2002? You’re a blogging trailblazer!
good solid week even without running! and I’m glad you have some answers and a plan! have you ever done McKenzie exercises? My husband’s PT prescribed him several of these to stretch out and loosen up that specific area. He had a hernia actually but he was able to fix it with being very strict with his exercises. My issue is more L5 – S1 but I get the same d*mn pain in my left buttock and usually have to do PT exercises and/or go straight to dry needling.
How fun that you all could celebrate birthdays together! My husband, step-son and step-daughter are all within 30 days Jan 12 – Feb 12. In fact SS will be 18 tomorrow!
favorite pizza topping – spicy salami!!
I’ve been blogging since Nov 2009 actually!
No races for me last weekend, but this weekend is my first one!
Renée recently posted…Tuesday Topics #4 – Stinky Sports Clothes
I have not heard of McKenzie exercises. I’ll have to do a little research. And wow, congrats on ten years of blogging!
I can only imagine how much pain you must be going through. Glad that your treatment seems to be heading in the right direction. Hats off that you kept your sense of humor through these painful days. Get well soon!
Madhusree Basu recently posted…Best Cross Training Shoes For Bunions (2019 Edition)
Thanks! This time around the pain is far less than in 2012, but the frustration is much greater.
Those pizzas look absolutely amazing, especially that one in the middle of the image. Sitting here with water in my mouth hah.
I have been blogging for about two years now, and it has really grown on me more than I thought it would.
Marcus@strengthery recently posted…You, A Stunning Goddess? Kinobody Goddess Toning Program Review
Those pizzas were amazing! We’ve been going to Emilio’s Brick Oven Pizza for over twenty years.
Making connections with like-minded people is one of the things I enjoy most about blogging.
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