I started this post last week:
This Saturday, I am moving into my new apartment! I will be sharing with 4 girls....I'm still trying to get used to the idea since even in college-I always lived in a house. I feel cramped thinking about it! :) But I have been trying to be open minded and I keep reminding myself of how cheap it will be. I will be paying student loans and medical bills so I needed something super cheap. Good news is that I'll be sharing a room with my awesome friend from Utah State, Aubri Squire!
Two Wednesdays ago (8/14/13), I visited two surgeons about my back. The first one was no help at all. He witnessed me cry in his office as he told me "we really can't do anything for you!" That was the last thing I wanted to hear. I needed some sort of plan because I need to get out of pain. He suggested to keep doing the injections, pain meds, and maybe start swimming. I was extremely let down and frustrated as I left his office. I had about an hour before my second appointment. I went to a park that was nearby and tried to calm down. I texted a few people and got into a positive, open-minded viewpoint for the next doctor.
The second dr. was more helpful. He said he wouldn't want to do surgery on me right now because by the time I'm 35, I'll need to get things fused and such. I said that is fine but what do I need to be doing now to get out of pain. He told me to 1)Get a regular exercise plan and strengthen my core 2)Lose some weight 3) Do another injection 4)Take an anti-inflammatory and 5) Start physical therapy again. I'm fine with this plan but my first thought was that I had done all of these things and it didn't seem to help. But I decided to be positive and give it another go. I will meet back with him in about 7 weeks now.
I also decided to see my neurologist about a back consultation. We'll see what he says as well.
Now, I'm to date:
Last Wednesday, I met with a physical therapist. I've never felt so positive!! He explained exactly what he wants to do, gave me a vision, and was extremely energetic about the work we will be doing. He warned me that this is a life-long committment to physical activity. I'm feeling great about that as long as we can get to a point where my back doesn't kill after every move I try to do.
I moved into my apartment on Saturday, went apartment hunting again with Aubri Monday night, and we're moving into our new apartment on this next Saturday!! Yeah, the apartment we moved into was HORRIBLE! There's mold growing all over the bathroom, I'm really not sure how I missed that when I walked through. Then there are just some other issues with roommates and space and neither Aubri nor I can deal with this stress. We want to be able to come home and be home and have a social life. That isn't going to happen in this apartment. On Monday night, we went and looked at 2 apartments and called a bunch of others. We found a place we like. It is a little bit more expensive but I'm hoping I'll be okay! It will be worth paying more to not live in a complete dump and have better people around.
Yesterday I had my first official Physical Therapy session with Alan. He was great. It is just very simple movements right now but they are critical to success. The technique/program he uses is called the "Dynamic Lumbar Stabilization Program. There has been a lot of success with this technique but I just have to remember to do my stablization exercises everyday...forever!
I also started to do some swimming. I haven't been actually swimming but I've been doing excercises in the pool. I walk back and forth and do skipping and grapevine and all sorts of things. I've committed to 30 minutes per day for at least three times per week. I am going to go to a water aerobics class as well. It is on Tues/thurs/Saturdays. Last Thursday's class was absolutely amazing. IT was pretty much Zumba in the water. So cool. Last night was a lot more chill but I still had my heart rate up to about 180ish. I'm excited for that class to continue.
I think those are my most recent updates. I've done a few other things but I don't want to make a post tooooo long-like this one already is! I'll update you more soon.
