Taking Care of Me

I started the summer with good intentions (don't we all?). Really, really good intentions. I was going to be full fledged running by the end of summer. And at least 1o pounds lighter. :-)

I was sidelined by severe heel pain before summer barely got started.

And that was tres discouraging.

I saw a podiatrist, was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, and purchased orthotics. I felt good about finally seeing the Dr, and finally doing something proactive to help my foot. Well, 6 visits and about $300 later, my orthotics still aren't perfect and I have not been overly thrilled with the care I've received. I still have a lot of pain and walking for exercise is among the last 1,000 things I have wanted to do.

So I got a second opinion this week. The second Dr concurred with the diagnosis but contradicted just about everything else the first Dr said. So, for now I am keeping the orthotics (I feel they are helping, just need a bit more tweaking) but doing several other things differently.

Last winter I injured the rotator cuff in my shoulder while shoveling snow, and it has been getting worse and worse. The pain has spread to my neck and has become constant. So I saw my Dr about that too. Since I have lost only minimal range of motion, my Dr recommended seeing a physical therapist and taking mega doses of ibuprofen for a week. I did not know that 400 mg doses or below are considered pain relief doses, while doses of 600 mg or higher are considered anti-inflammatory doses. And I need anti-inflammatory. It will help both my neck/shoulder and my heel. I was hesitant at first about taking so much, but it's only for a week.

Part of me feels guilty spending money on all these Dr visits for myself (we have no insurance at this time so are cash patients), but the truth is, it is very important to take care of myself!! My family needs me. I need to be the best I can be for them. And I tend to let things go too long before taking care of them. Bad, bad, bad.

I am learning how important it is to take care of myself, and to take charge of my own health. If I don't get answers from one Doctor, I need to find one who will give me the info I need. Sometimes the answer is like putting a jigsaw puzzle together. You hunt and hunt for the one piece you need. And once you find it, it's up to YOU to put the whole thing together.

I am hopeful that one more piece of my health puzzle can be answered next week when I see a chiropractor again for the first time in several years. Specifically, I am seeking his opinion on whether or not one leg is truly shorter than the other. We shall see....

BUT, the upshot of all this is that I have recently begun walking again! They are very short walks, but compared to sitting or lying on the couch most of the time with my foot elevated, they demonstrate progress and are amazingly refreshing!! I am thankful!