I have tendinosis, not to be confused with tendonitis.  Basically where my glute and hamstring meet or join together there are some beginning signs of degeneration.  Several treatments are available but only one is covered by insurance – PHYSICAL THERAPY.  At this point I have been struggling daily with pain so physical therapy is the best choice.

The second option is a new procedure called “dry needling.”  This is very similar to acupuncture.  The physician inserts a needle (dry, with no medication) into the problematic area in an effort to improve flexibility and reduce pain.  There have been positive results with this treatment plan but insurance isn’t covering it in most areas.  So physical therapy it is.  The third option is surgery and let’s be real… it isn’t THAT bad.

The PT conducted a lot of strength testing on my first day and determined that my left quad and hip are very weak.  My hamstrings and core are very strong but not the hip or quad.  AND, although the Ortho doctor initially thought I could get away with a few visits for exercises and stretches the PT suggested a consistent 5-6 weeks.  I need to strengthen the left side while stretching it at the same time.  I told the PT it was my BF’s fault that the problematic area got so bad.  Damn girl decided to go and have baby #2!  Since she had her 2nd angel I stopped lifting and going to yoga.

After my first PT session I took two days off from running (although one of those days I did cross training with that BF in a class called Cycle Fusion).  The other day I rested completely (I admit to hating it the entire time!).  Today was my second day of PT and let me tell you I was sweating like I had just ran 5 miles!  The PT worked me hard but I don’t hurt to the point that I can’t imagine going back again tomorrow.  Yup, stupid me goes back tomorrow, at 7am no less.

Anyway, enough about me and my old body.  The real reason you checked out this post was to find out KEM’s results from the endoscopy and colonoscopy in June.  Overall it went well.  Even though it took almost 4 hours before the doctors were able to take him back to the surgical room, the biopsy results were better than the results from a year ago.  (There was an emergency with another child and so we appreciated the doctors tending to that child first.)

The inflamed area the docs couldn’t get to for the last year was finally reachable and so they took several biopsies.  The doctors did find new pus pockets that were not there back in February when KEM had his MRE.  The docs did their best to flush those pus pockets to no avail.  The pus pockets are active areas of inflammation.  KEM needs to have another MRE this month before he goes back to the docs in August.  At this point the GI docs do not feel the need to change his treatment plan.  They plan to make that decision after the MRE results.  Fingers crossed they are still positive results.

KEM was a trip after the staff at AI DuPont gave him his feel good meds.  He asked me if he was a unicorn AND told me that I had 4 eyes and 2 holes in my nose.  I kindly reminded him that he had 2 holes in his nose too!  Thank you as always goes to AI DuPont and their amazing staff.  God’s gifts to medicine work at hospitals specifically for children.

NOTE:  KEM asked me to photograph and videotape him so that he could watch himself after he drank the “feel good juice.”  Unfortunately I am unable to upload the hysterical videos.  Or maybe that is a good thing!

          Are you a good patient when it comes to following doctors orders for yourself?
If you were told you couldn’t run or had to take time off would you?

Up next: Team Challenge, RWRunStreak, and our upcoming trip to Martha’s Vineyard….