Albuquerque physical therapist made the third orthotic out of softer material since I'm still having some foot/ankle pain. He wants me to try out all three to determine which one works the best. I'm supposed to give him feedback on how they work out for me.
He suggested that it may be better for me to wear neutral shoes. In general, he doesn't think that stability and motion control shoes are a good thing. I guess with the orthotics giving my feet some stability and support, I will try to find a pair of neutral athletic shoes to see how they work for my feet.
He gave me a homemade slant board to stretch my calves on. He said I should try to have the loosest calves in Los Alamos because tight calves put more pressure on the posterior tibial tendon, achilles tendon and plantar fascia. I'm supposed to stand on the board for ten minutes a day with my knees straight. I did it a little today in his office. At first I felt no stretch at all but gradually a calf stretch developed. He says that when I do my usual calf stretch which feels like a deep stretch of my calves, what I'm really stretching is nerves. He'll publish a research paper in January on this static endurance type of calf stretching. He doesn't yet know what journal it will be in. I'd like to get a copy.
I'm going to call tomorrow to cancel the Jemez Physical Therapy appointments this week. Physical therapist feels that if my arches are supported with the orthotics, my feet will naturally strengthen in the course of walking. He also said that since my right foot ligaments are on the lax side, I don't really need to stretch my feet.
He showed me how to strengthen my peroneus longus muscle which runs from the outer lower leg across the bottom of the foot and attaches to the big toe. One way to strengthen that is to raise your toes while pressing your first metatarsal head (ball of big toe) against the floor.
He suggested piriformis stretching for my hips. I know how to do one such stretch. I'll Google for other piriformis stretches.
I should continue to do the "clamshell" (side lying hip abduction with lateral rotation) that Jemez Physical Therapy gave me but he didn't think much of the toe flexor exercises and neither did I. In general, I need to strengthen my gluteals and stretch my piriformis.
He showed me how to do a lateral step up and says it's the only leg exercise he does. You begin by placing one foot on a step, with your knee bent forward over the second toe and the other foot is off the side of the step with the heel touching the floor. Straighten the knee of the foot on the step which causes the heel on the floor to raise, then repeat from the beginning. Start with 5 sets of 5 and work up to 5 sets of 10, done continuously on one leg and then switch to the other leg. Variations are do a toe raise up and down with the foot that's on the step and then another is to hike up the hip of the foot that's on the floor. You can alternate these variation within a set. If any of this ever gets easy, use a higher step to make it harder.
He said using a wobble board would be good and he'd send me a program he has for that. He also promised to send the information on the lateral step up because I have to admit that only doing it briefly in his office didn't lead to complete understanding of the exercise.
When I came to his office at 12:30pm on today, Sunday, he was finishing up with a client. When I left at 2pm, another client was already there for his next appointment. All in all, it was a very worthwhile adventure to drive to Albuquerque 2 days in a row to get these orthotics. I plan to tell the hikers about him. I walked four miles tonight in the orange 3/4 length pair. They seemed to help. I'll carefully evaluate all three over the coming weeks.
Spouse calls the surgeon in Santa Fe first thing tomorrow. He's anxious to find out when something can be done about his ailing appendix. Even though he's feeling reasonably comfortable and has no fever or extreme pain, it was hard on him to have to wait out this four day Thanksgiving weekend until the doctor's office opens again on Monday. There's a lot of anxiety in knowing that your appendix is not well.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Omigod!
That was my reaction when I left Albuquerque physical therapist's office. He's very thorough and astute when it comes to trouble-shooting feet and I'm very happy that I went to him.
His office is a small, separate building next to his house. He asked me to tell him my problem, looked at my shoes and noticed signs on the right front shoe that I twist my forefoot as I walk. He had me stand on a non-moving treadmill and studied my feet. He pointed out that when my feet are relaxed and the arch collapses inward that he can't easily lift my big toe up but can when I purposely raise my arch. I can't completely recall the significance of that but be related to the overstretching of my plantar fascia when I walk.
He had me walk back and forth and observed that my right foot pronates inward a whole lot and thought that my right leg went inward too. He compared the right and left foot for looseness or snugness of the ligaments and found my right foot ligaments to be lax. He gives classes in anatomy of the foot and says he's always amazed at the spider web of ligaments under the arch of the foot that are holding all the bones together.
I hope he writes up a report because I forget a lot of what he said. I pick up the orthotics tomorrow and I hope they help me to walk better. Basically, my poor foot biomechanics are causing lots of overuse of my plantar fascia (which, he said, is very strong and with each step supports up to 2 1/2 times your body weight) and my posterior tibial tendon.
Tomorrow, he'll show me some stretches and exercises to do.
I did all right staying awake for the drive back and forth - tea and chocolate helped - but, man, that's a big commute! I called spouse 5 times today to see if he was still stable and he is. He may ride down with me tomorrow.
I stopped to worship at the Temple of Vitamin Cottage in Santa Fe!
His office is a small, separate building next to his house. He asked me to tell him my problem, looked at my shoes and noticed signs on the right front shoe that I twist my forefoot as I walk. He had me stand on a non-moving treadmill and studied my feet. He pointed out that when my feet are relaxed and the arch collapses inward that he can't easily lift my big toe up but can when I purposely raise my arch. I can't completely recall the significance of that but be related to the overstretching of my plantar fascia when I walk.
He had me walk back and forth and observed that my right foot pronates inward a whole lot and thought that my right leg went inward too. He compared the right and left foot for looseness or snugness of the ligaments and found my right foot ligaments to be lax. He gives classes in anatomy of the foot and says he's always amazed at the spider web of ligaments under the arch of the foot that are holding all the bones together.
I hope he writes up a report because I forget a lot of what he said. I pick up the orthotics tomorrow and I hope they help me to walk better. Basically, my poor foot biomechanics are causing lots of overuse of my plantar fascia (which, he said, is very strong and with each step supports up to 2 1/2 times your body weight) and my posterior tibial tendon.
Tomorrow, he'll show me some stretches and exercises to do.
I did all right staying awake for the drive back and forth - tea and chocolate helped - but, man, that's a big commute! I called spouse 5 times today to see if he was still stable and he is. He may ride down with me tomorrow.
I stopped to worship at the Temple of Vitamin Cottage in Santa Fe!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Appendectomy Next Week - Maybe
Spouse will be getting an appendectomy sometime soon. He was scheduled with Dr. Voltura for next Tuesday but she currently only has privileges at Physicians Medical Center Hospital on Rodeo Road in Santa Fe. The hospital doesn't even have a ventilator. When asked what would happen if a person stopped breathing, spouse was told they would "bag" them (as in a manual surgical breathing bag) and transport them to St. Vincent Hospital. In addition, the hospital has no attendant doctor at night and no intensive care unit (but they do have a gourmet cook!)
In light of all this, spouse prefers going to St. Vincent and having Dr. Shapiro do the surgery. Everything closed early today, the day after Thanksgiving, so spouse will work the phone on Monday to try to arrange the surgery, hopefully for next week. He remains stable but not totally asymptomatic.
I took a brief walk this afternoon from the library over to Pueblo Canyon Bridge. On my way back, the orange afternoon sunlight beautifully highlighted the golden grass.
Daughter and grandson are here eating supper right now. Spouse is on the phone getting medical advice about what to do about the appendectomy from his sister-in-law, Dr. Julie Long.
I still plan to drive down to Albuquerque on both Saturday and Sunday to finally get orthotics. Spouse, if he's really, really bored, may accompany me one of the days.
In light of all this, spouse prefers going to St. Vincent and having Dr. Shapiro do the surgery. Everything closed early today, the day after Thanksgiving, so spouse will work the phone on Monday to try to arrange the surgery, hopefully for next week. He remains stable but not totally asymptomatic.
I took a brief walk this afternoon from the library over to Pueblo Canyon Bridge. On my way back, the orange afternoon sunlight beautifully highlighted the golden grass.
Daughter and grandson are here eating supper right now. Spouse is on the phone getting medical advice about what to do about the appendectomy from his sister-in-law, Dr. Julie Long.
I still plan to drive down to Albuquerque on both Saturday and Sunday to finally get orthotics. Spouse, if he's really, really bored, may accompany me one of the days.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Hanging In
I was pretty overwrought this morning. I'm getting better now. The computer is a real bright spot on a Turkey Day because then I feel some connection to the greater outside world. Our newspaper is another bright spot, ditto. I haven't been on the computer all day; that's not what I mean. It just gives me some hope that there is life after Turkey Day.
I did do short parts of 3 different exercise dvd's so that gave me a needed boost. I still have to do aerobics - maybe I'll try a Leslie Sansone dvd.
I still need to do a complete foot workout routine. It will be interesting to see what exercises the Albuquerque physical therapist gives me for my feet and compare them with what Jemez Physical Therapy has given me. Exercise and education is included as well as orthotics in my Albuquerque visit. JPT hasn't given me very many exercises and I really wonder about the value of further strengthening my toe flexors by picking objects up with them. My toes are already very strong.
It's very eerie in The Last Season where Judi Morgenson has a dream two nights in a row that she can see underwater in a lake a man wearing a backpack . Why did Randy Morgenson have to die? I didn't even know the man and I'm very upset at his death.
I haven't yet gotten to the part that attempts to explain his death but it gives me pause, as a hiker, to acknowledge that there are life and death decisions out there in the wild and when you either accidentally or through ignorance or foolishness make the wrong one, the consequences for those who love and care for you are far-reaching.
Losing Randy Morgenson, who was so knowledgable about the outdoors and all the things that can go wrong, seems like a wasteful, unecessary death. Maybe, though, his being upset about the divorce papers his wife gave him, somehow distracted him from the ever-present vigilance that's necessary when you are traveling in a steep, snowy drainage in the Sierras.
So far, it's just overcast and raining here. Spouse is in his usual position on the couch, TV on, snoring away. I'm fairly content to be inside right now. If it's snowing this evening, it's possible that I could go out to walk in it.
Grandson's Dad and soon-to-be step-mom took grandson to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. They may drop him off here later today and that will add some verve and excitement to life for both of us.
I will be very happy at the end of the day to know that daughter and son-in-law had a very safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving up in the Jemez Mountains!
I did do short parts of 3 different exercise dvd's so that gave me a needed boost. I still have to do aerobics - maybe I'll try a Leslie Sansone dvd.
I still need to do a complete foot workout routine. It will be interesting to see what exercises the Albuquerque physical therapist gives me for my feet and compare them with what Jemez Physical Therapy has given me. Exercise and education is included as well as orthotics in my Albuquerque visit. JPT hasn't given me very many exercises and I really wonder about the value of further strengthening my toe flexors by picking objects up with them. My toes are already very strong.
It's very eerie in The Last Season where Judi Morgenson has a dream two nights in a row that she can see underwater in a lake a man wearing a backpack . Why did Randy Morgenson have to die? I didn't even know the man and I'm very upset at his death.
I haven't yet gotten to the part that attempts to explain his death but it gives me pause, as a hiker, to acknowledge that there are life and death decisions out there in the wild and when you either accidentally or through ignorance or foolishness make the wrong one, the consequences for those who love and care for you are far-reaching.
Losing Randy Morgenson, who was so knowledgable about the outdoors and all the things that can go wrong, seems like a wasteful, unecessary death. Maybe, though, his being upset about the divorce papers his wife gave him, somehow distracted him from the ever-present vigilance that's necessary when you are traveling in a steep, snowy drainage in the Sierras.
So far, it's just overcast and raining here. Spouse is in his usual position on the couch, TV on, snoring away. I'm fairly content to be inside right now. If it's snowing this evening, it's possible that I could go out to walk in it.
Grandson's Dad and soon-to-be step-mom took grandson to Albuquerque for Thanksgiving. They may drop him off here later today and that will add some verve and excitement to life for both of us.
I will be very happy at the end of the day to know that daughter and son-in-law had a very safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving up in the Jemez Mountains!
Holidays -Bah Humbug
I've never liked holidays too much anyway. I spend the whole day wondering what will come in the mail and then reminding myself that the mail won't come today. To me, a holiday is like a mini-death - everything's closed, most importantly, the local library. It's like Dorothy says about the north caldera rim viewpoints - it gives people comfort just knowing the possibility is there even if they never drive that far to actually see the views. I like the idea of the hustle and bustle of ordinary life going on even if all I do that day is go out to the library and then take a walk on a forest road.
Where is all this coming from? Spouse decided this morning he didn't want to go up to the Jemez for Thanksgiving. He has good reasons - lots of GI side effects from the medicine including diarrhea, loss of appetite and a metallic taste in his mouth. Plus, he's worried that his inflamed appendix will become a medical emergency.
Then, to top off everything, I had been planning to go with my daughter to the YMCA's free Thanksgiving morning aerobic workout but at the last minute this morning, it was requested by "upper management" that son-in-law and daughter drive all the way to Albuquerque to pick up son-in-law's grandma. This plus a big winter storm coming in (no sunshine has to be affecting my mood as well) impelled me to loan them my Suburu in hopes that they would be safer. When I say impelled, actually, it made me very happy to loan them my car because I feel they'll be safer if they encounter snow-covered, icy roads. Besides that, they both looked very good in my car!
I'll probably take a walk, do an exercise dvd, exercise my feet and read. I'm reading The Last Season by Eric Blehm. It's about a backcountry ranger that goes missing and the search for him. I know it doesn't end well. It's a heartbreaking story. It really makes me love and respect all those who devote their lives to the outdoors.
This weekend, if spouse remains stable, I'll drive to Albuquerque by myself on Saturday and Sunday. This will be to get orthotics. We had planned to stay in Albuquerque overnight but we're cancelling that now too. I, however, am very motivated to finally get orthotics. Thanksfully (the first show of thankfulness in this Thanksgiving blog), the appointments are in the afternoon so I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn!
Where is all this coming from? Spouse decided this morning he didn't want to go up to the Jemez for Thanksgiving. He has good reasons - lots of GI side effects from the medicine including diarrhea, loss of appetite and a metallic taste in his mouth. Plus, he's worried that his inflamed appendix will become a medical emergency.
Then, to top off everything, I had been planning to go with my daughter to the YMCA's free Thanksgiving morning aerobic workout but at the last minute this morning, it was requested by "upper management" that son-in-law and daughter drive all the way to Albuquerque to pick up son-in-law's grandma. This plus a big winter storm coming in (no sunshine has to be affecting my mood as well) impelled me to loan them my Suburu in hopes that they would be safer. When I say impelled, actually, it made me very happy to loan them my car because I feel they'll be safer if they encounter snow-covered, icy roads. Besides that, they both looked very good in my car!
I'll probably take a walk, do an exercise dvd, exercise my feet and read. I'm reading The Last Season by Eric Blehm. It's about a backcountry ranger that goes missing and the search for him. I know it doesn't end well. It's a heartbreaking story. It really makes me love and respect all those who devote their lives to the outdoors.
This weekend, if spouse remains stable, I'll drive to Albuquerque by myself on Saturday and Sunday. This will be to get orthotics. We had planned to stay in Albuquerque overnight but we're cancelling that now too. I, however, am very motivated to finally get orthotics. Thanksfully (the first show of thankfulness in this Thanksgiving blog), the appointments are in the afternoon so I don't have to get up at the crack of dawn!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Spouse Health Newsflash
Per the CT scan, spouse's appendix is thickened and inflamed. He's going to Santa Fe Friday morning to see the doctor who took out his gallbladder to talk about what to do. One possibility is to see if the antibiotics improve the situation.
Physical therapist in Albuquerque emailed that he has appointments this weekend to get orthotics. They cost $275 for 2 pairs which sounds good to me! Unclear now what will happen with spouse being sick. If spouse is stable but doesn't feel like going to Albuquerque, I could drive down on Saturday for the fitting and drive back another time to pick them up.
I parked at the Ocean this afternoon and walked in the woods alongside Camp May Road up as far as Guardrail Hill and then turned around and walked Paintball Road. Amazing how much harder my 5 lb. Ironwear CoolVest makes it! I hope it really does help to strengthen my bones as advertised. The zipper is really shoddy but, when it breaks, I can replace it with Velcro. I still have 10 more pounds of weight to work up to wearing in it! When you can sweat in it on an autumn afternoon, though, cool it ain't!
Have to get to work now washing celery, carrots, potatoes, peeling onions and slicing them all up in the food processor for tonight's beef stew production. I'm using some of the veggies for a bean stew for me. It will be so good! Daughter asked what I wanted for Christmas and I asked if she would make me a vegan meal one day. She's a great cook! She made grandson lasagna last night. That's his favorite because that's what Garfield, his hero, eats!
Physical therapist in Albuquerque emailed that he has appointments this weekend to get orthotics. They cost $275 for 2 pairs which sounds good to me! Unclear now what will happen with spouse being sick. If spouse is stable but doesn't feel like going to Albuquerque, I could drive down on Saturday for the fitting and drive back another time to pick them up.
I parked at the Ocean this afternoon and walked in the woods alongside Camp May Road up as far as Guardrail Hill and then turned around and walked Paintball Road. Amazing how much harder my 5 lb. Ironwear CoolVest makes it! I hope it really does help to strengthen my bones as advertised. The zipper is really shoddy but, when it breaks, I can replace it with Velcro. I still have 10 more pounds of weight to work up to wearing in it! When you can sweat in it on an autumn afternoon, though, cool it ain't!
Have to get to work now washing celery, carrots, potatoes, peeling onions and slicing them all up in the food processor for tonight's beef stew production. I'm using some of the veggies for a bean stew for me. It will be so good! Daughter asked what I wanted for Christmas and I asked if she would make me a vegan meal one day. She's a great cook! She made grandson lasagna last night. That's his favorite because that's what Garfield, his hero, eats!
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Done With Dentist for Another 6 Months!
Dentist appointments went smoothly. Afterwards, looked at Schwinn Airdyne Evolution exercise bike at Home Fitness Warehouse. Including delivery and tax, would be under $1000 but I was reluctant to open my piggy bank. Spouse thinks that even he may use it if we decide eventually to buy one.
Glenn, my PT, gently hinted yesterday that I should walk less. Using the exercise bike a couple of times a week would fit that requirement. Also, I suspect I could improve my cardiovascular performance as the bike is so joint friendly, I would be able to really get some elevated heart rate.
In addition to dentist appointment and Home Fitness Warehouse, we took car to Acura dealer and he confirmed that the exhaust pipe going to the muffler is properly installed but the muffler itself has a small hole. We saved fixing that for another day.
We went to REI and made some returns and an exchange but otherwise bought nothing.
Picked up Key Lime Pie for Thanksgiving and talked two other women at Whole Foods into buying one when I assured them it was delicious (even though I've never tasted it but my family certainly loved it!)
Tomorrow spouse gets abdominal CT scan. He's feeling better with the antibiotics. In the afternoon, we make beef stew for when daughter and family come over on Friday. Busy, busy, busy!
Glenn, my PT, gently hinted yesterday that I should walk less. Using the exercise bike a couple of times a week would fit that requirement. Also, I suspect I could improve my cardiovascular performance as the bike is so joint friendly, I would be able to really get some elevated heart rate.
In addition to dentist appointment and Home Fitness Warehouse, we took car to Acura dealer and he confirmed that the exhaust pipe going to the muffler is properly installed but the muffler itself has a small hole. We saved fixing that for another day.
We went to REI and made some returns and an exchange but otherwise bought nothing.
Picked up Key Lime Pie for Thanksgiving and talked two other women at Whole Foods into buying one when I assured them it was delicious (even though I've never tasted it but my family certainly loved it!)
Tomorrow spouse gets abdominal CT scan. He's feeling better with the antibiotics. In the afternoon, we make beef stew for when daughter and family come over on Friday. Busy, busy, busy!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Spouse's Doctor Visit
Dr. Daly has ordered a CT scan for Wednesday. He suspects either diverticulitis or appendicitis. Spouse had slight fever in doctor's office so Dr. Daly prescribed antibiotics. Spouse not feeling tip top yet.
Pajarito Mountain Ridge
Went to PT this morning. The usual - ultrasound, then massage, then electrical stimulation of my right foot. Glenn showed me a stretch for the calf and soleus - the one where you hang your heel over the back edge of a step. He also taped my foot. It feels all right and may make it more stable. The tape felt pretty binding on my heel at first but loosened some. Glenn said that a physical therapist in Albuquerque only charges around $100 cash for orthotics. He doesn't deal with insurance. Hope he contacts me one day to make an appointment.
Drove up to Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Hiked Cañada Bonita Trail out to the old Baca Location fence. Went out on upper, main XC Ski Trail and back on lower, old Quemazon Road.
As I walked out, I observed how the parking lot is not really the base of Pajarito Mountain but the mountain keeps going downhill beyond the parking lot into Los Alamos Canyon. Also, up close, Pajarito Mountain looks more like a really long ridge than a mountain.
Started out feeling lonely, longing and nostalgia. Stopped in Cañada Bonita meadow to listen to the silence and admire the gray, leafless aspen trees and splendid golden grass of the meadow. So quiet I could hear a raven's wings flap! Felt better at the end. So lucky to have Pajarito Mountain even if it does only look like a ridge!
Drove up to Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Hiked Cañada Bonita Trail out to the old Baca Location fence. Went out on upper, main XC Ski Trail and back on lower, old Quemazon Road.
As I walked out, I observed how the parking lot is not really the base of Pajarito Mountain but the mountain keeps going downhill beyond the parking lot into Los Alamos Canyon. Also, up close, Pajarito Mountain looks more like a really long ridge than a mountain.
Started out feeling lonely, longing and nostalgia. Stopped in Cañada Bonita meadow to listen to the silence and admire the gray, leafless aspen trees and splendid golden grass of the meadow. So quiet I could hear a raven's wings flap! Felt better at the end. So lucky to have Pajarito Mountain even if it does only look like a ridge!
Early Start to Thanksgiving Vacation
Spouse did go in to work this morning but may not stay as he's still having some stomach discomfort. He sees Dr. Daly this afternoon. He only went in to work to check on a computer run. The colonoscopy he had a few years ago had showed diverticulosis so it's possible that these flu-y, crampy gastric episodes are diverticulitis. I'm sure that tests will be ordered to determine the cause.
Tomorrow is an all-day event in Albuquerque with our dentist appointments (always nice to get those over with!) and a stop at the Acura dealer to have them check the exhaust pipe installed last week by RPM.
I need to dress soon to leave for the PT appointment.
I took a 500 mg niacin capsule this morning and yesterday too. It bothered me not at all yesterday but today was a different story. I started feeling itchy all over and my face got red splotches. Dr. Stephen Sinatra in his book Reverse Heart Disease Now suggests niacin to increase HDL cholesterol. I'll continue to try the niacin but if the extreme reaction doesn't eventually stop happening, I'll return it to Vitamin Cottage.
Tomorrow is an all-day event in Albuquerque with our dentist appointments (always nice to get those over with!) and a stop at the Acura dealer to have them check the exhaust pipe installed last week by RPM.
I need to dress soon to leave for the PT appointment.
I took a 500 mg niacin capsule this morning and yesterday too. It bothered me not at all yesterday but today was a different story. I started feeling itchy all over and my face got red splotches. Dr. Stephen Sinatra in his book Reverse Heart Disease Now suggests niacin to increase HDL cholesterol. I'll continue to try the niacin but if the extreme reaction doesn't eventually stop happening, I'll return it to Vitamin Cottage.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Could Be Worse
Sometime after 9am this morning, an ambulance and fire truck showed up in front of our neighbor's, the Gibson's. I don't know what happened and I hope they are both OK. It's sad to look in their driveway and only see the one car there all day and not know how they are doing. Leaves a hole in the neighborhood.
Spouse is feeling ill. In the past two months, he's had 4 bouts of "food poisoning". We really don't know what it is. He feels flu-y, his lower right abdomen is tender, his stomach feels like someone punched him and he's lost his appetite. He'll go to the doctor tomorrow.
Went to the Turkey Trot today on North Mesa. Daughter did too. She came in 34th and I came in 84th. My foot did amazingly well. First, I predicted 47 minutes and 47 seconds for my finish time and then I crossed that out and wrote in 50 minutes. I don't know what my finish time was. I left before the prize drawings to see if spouse was OK. He's stable for now.
Spouse is feeling ill. In the past two months, he's had 4 bouts of "food poisoning". We really don't know what it is. He feels flu-y, his lower right abdomen is tender, his stomach feels like someone punched him and he's lost his appetite. He'll go to the doctor tomorrow.
Went to the Turkey Trot today on North Mesa. Daughter did too. She came in 34th and I came in 84th. My foot did amazingly well. First, I predicted 47 minutes and 47 seconds for my finish time and then I crossed that out and wrote in 50 minutes. I don't know what my finish time was. I left before the prize drawings to see if spouse was OK. He's stable for now.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Indian Summer Lingers On
I thought sure I'd wake up to snow today but it was sunny and around 40 degrees. We hiked with the White Rock Senior Center group on the Perimeter Trail South, off West Jemez Road, that starts at the Pajarito Canyon Trailhead. The group surprised me and went all the way to FR181. I think they only did it because they kept thinking they could loop back and didn't have to go back the way they came. It was a small group. One regular hiker didn't come because his hip was bothering him and several others opted to eat Thanksgiving dinner at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
I talked some with Dagne about genealogy research. She had tried it once but hit a wall of misinformation in censuses. I told her about the Latter Day Saint's Family History Centers in Los Alamos and White Rock. Dagne's Mom is 99 years old and married to an 85 year old man. I told Dagne that he's what keeps her Mom going!
I'm very tired today and was yesterday too. Yesterday, I had to wake up at 6am for the Dorothy hike and today at 7am for the senior hike. I didn't sleep well last night because my legs started cramping.
My foot did OK on the hike but I'm not sure about the Keen midcut hiking boots. So far, they are more comfortable than the Vasque's.
Thoughts on yesterday: The point of taking the forest ranger's up to the north rim of the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) was so Dorothy could lobby them not to close off certain logging access roads under their Travel Management Plan. She and Ed are hoping that in the future, a deal could be struck between the VCNP management and the USFS to allow people to look into the world-class beautiful Valles Caldera from the north rim, through some official "holes in the fence". People could drive in on the forest service logging roads and legally hike across the VCNP fence at several selected viewpoints.
Truthfully, I'll get little use out of these proposed north rim viewpoints but it may, as Dorothy and Ed believe, create a lot of goodwill for the VCNP in northern New Mexico. The forest rangers admitted that the north rim area off FR144 only gets light use. Dorothy and Ed are both amazing people to do all the legwork and research to promote the north rim viewpoints proposal.
I should have waited until the rangers weren't present to tell Ed that I thought some of the maze of roads were superfluous and it wouldn't hurt to close some, leaving only main trunk open for access to the viewpoints. In fairness to myself, though, I never saw the attachments he sent me that included a map and his comments on the Travel Management Plan because TextEdit opened them up as blank pages. I wish that PC's and Mac's could communicate better!
Some info on the rangers: Sandy formerly worked in Oregon as a ranger. He started out in firefighting. He's been in northern New Mexico for 6 years now. He really likes the mix of 3 cultures here - Indian, Hispanic and Anglo. Annie is a mother of two. She lives on a ranch in Pecos and commutes everyday to Española which is a long way to drive. She's been with the Española Ranger District since 1999 and before that worked for the BLM in Taos and the Tesuque Ranger District in Santa Fe.
I talked some with Dagne about genealogy research. She had tried it once but hit a wall of misinformation in censuses. I told her about the Latter Day Saint's Family History Centers in Los Alamos and White Rock. Dagne's Mom is 99 years old and married to an 85 year old man. I told Dagne that he's what keeps her Mom going!
I'm very tired today and was yesterday too. Yesterday, I had to wake up at 6am for the Dorothy hike and today at 7am for the senior hike. I didn't sleep well last night because my legs started cramping.
My foot did OK on the hike but I'm not sure about the Keen midcut hiking boots. So far, they are more comfortable than the Vasque's.
Thoughts on yesterday: The point of taking the forest ranger's up to the north rim of the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VCNP) was so Dorothy could lobby them not to close off certain logging access roads under their Travel Management Plan. She and Ed are hoping that in the future, a deal could be struck between the VCNP management and the USFS to allow people to look into the world-class beautiful Valles Caldera from the north rim, through some official "holes in the fence". People could drive in on the forest service logging roads and legally hike across the VCNP fence at several selected viewpoints.
Truthfully, I'll get little use out of these proposed north rim viewpoints but it may, as Dorothy and Ed believe, create a lot of goodwill for the VCNP in northern New Mexico. The forest rangers admitted that the north rim area off FR144 only gets light use. Dorothy and Ed are both amazing people to do all the legwork and research to promote the north rim viewpoints proposal.
I should have waited until the rangers weren't present to tell Ed that I thought some of the maze of roads were superfluous and it wouldn't hurt to close some, leaving only main trunk open for access to the viewpoints. In fairness to myself, though, I never saw the attachments he sent me that included a map and his comments on the Travel Management Plan because TextEdit opened them up as blank pages. I wish that PC's and Mac's could communicate better!
Some info on the rangers: Sandy formerly worked in Oregon as a ranger. He started out in firefighting. He's been in northern New Mexico for 6 years now. He really likes the mix of 3 cultures here - Indian, Hispanic and Anglo. Annie is a mother of two. She lives on a ranch in Pecos and commutes everyday to Española which is a long way to drive. She's been with the Española Ranger District since 1999 and before that worked for the BLM in Taos and the Tesuque Ranger District in Santa Fe.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
I Go to the Hills
After Dorothy trip, went to FR181 (American Springs Road). I walked my 4 miles but didn't see a single soul. I heard some shots as I got to where the road swings east. I didn't get shot so I was happy about that. It was cloudy and cool. I couldn't see the top of Pajarito Mountain for the low clouds or maybe snow flurries hanging over it.
Foot was OK. It likes even terrain. On the Dorothy trip, I had to be really careful not to turn my right foot on it's side in the grassy hummocks on Garita Ridge/Hunter's Point. I was comparatively speedy on FR181.
The Dorothy trip was interesting but we hardly walked at all - less than 3/4 miles. The two Española District Rangers, Sandy and Annie were very kind people. They took the time from their very busy work schedules to go to the north rim of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to look at several caldera viewpoints. I'm going to make this a short blog and not even try to get into all the ramifications of this trip.
Dorothy, Greg and I had a brief discussion at the end of the trip. Greg asked Dorothy to give another rim trail talk at Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) and she agreed that would be good. I suggested that we should expand the rim trail effort and especially find someone to write a grant proposal to fund some of Dorothy's rim trail proposals (not my idea - the rangers suggested that to us as one way to get the rim trail going) and I mentioned Dave Menucci's name again, saying that I knew that Dorothy could do a lot if she had the time but she very busy.
We really didn't stop for lunch because we had to get the two rangers back. I passed out LaraBars to those who wanted them. Greg, who drove us in his Jeep Cherokee, seemed to really like the LaraBars. When I got home, I got 4 more of them (and the article in the Rio Grande Sierran on Marty) and dropped them off for him and Karen.
Foot was OK. It likes even terrain. On the Dorothy trip, I had to be really careful not to turn my right foot on it's side in the grassy hummocks on Garita Ridge/Hunter's Point. I was comparatively speedy on FR181.
The Dorothy trip was interesting but we hardly walked at all - less than 3/4 miles. The two Española District Rangers, Sandy and Annie were very kind people. They took the time from their very busy work schedules to go to the north rim of the Valles Caldera National Preserve to look at several caldera viewpoints. I'm going to make this a short blog and not even try to get into all the ramifications of this trip.
Dorothy, Greg and I had a brief discussion at the end of the trip. Greg asked Dorothy to give another rim trail talk at Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC) and she agreed that would be good. I suggested that we should expand the rim trail effort and especially find someone to write a grant proposal to fund some of Dorothy's rim trail proposals (not my idea - the rangers suggested that to us as one way to get the rim trail going) and I mentioned Dave Menucci's name again, saying that I knew that Dorothy could do a lot if she had the time but she very busy.
We really didn't stop for lunch because we had to get the two rangers back. I passed out LaraBars to those who wanted them. Greg, who drove us in his Jeep Cherokee, seemed to really like the LaraBars. When I got home, I got 4 more of them (and the article in the Rio Grande Sierran on Marty) and dropped them off for him and Karen.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Pomegranate Munching as Metaphor for Life
Epiphany this morning at the breakfast table: Good primate that I am, I love to greedily slurp up the exquisitely, translucently juicy ruby arils of the bejeweled pomegranate. As I chew the seeds, my tongue is splashed by short bursts of cool, tart-sweet juice and my teeth crunch the crisp seeds. As I eat, I wish that the juicy sweetness of the pomegranate's nectar would last forever. But the truth is that it's gone as soon as I swallow and the only way I can make it last is to keep sucking the sweet seeds off the bitter white pith as fast as I can.
This is like life - if you don't pay attention to what's happening, it's gone forever, only a memory. You can crave or anticipate more of life's sweetness but the only thing that you'll ever really have is the thrill of the "ride" at the exact moment that it is happening - then, it's done, gone, finis.
Remember this the next time you scrub the toilet!
This is like life - if you don't pay attention to what's happening, it's gone forever, only a memory. You can crave or anticipate more of life's sweetness but the only thing that you'll ever really have is the thrill of the "ride" at the exact moment that it is happening - then, it's done, gone, finis.
Remember this the next time you scrub the toilet!
Physical Therapy Capers
Been to two physical therapy appointments this week at Jemez Physical Therapy. Saw Lori the first time. She evaluated my gait by watching me walk back and forth. She said it looks like my right leg crosses the midline of my body. Maybe that's why I sometimes kick my right inner ankle with my left foot when I walk. She tested my hips for weakness by having me raise my legs against resistance (her hands). Surprisingly, my flabby inner thighs are stronger than my outer thighs. She gave me an exercise called the Clam Shell which is a lying hip abduction with a lateral rotation. In general, it would be good if I'd do more to strengthen my legs. I NEVER do any squats or lunges because my knees creak in an awful cacophony. I do lying leg strengthening exercises for my hamstrings and quads but could be more religious about it.
She told me to be sure to press my toes into the ground when I walk. I try at home but largely ignore my gait when I'm out hiking.
She told me to do Toe Curls and Toe Pick-Ups to help strengthen my arch. My toe flexors are already pretty strong and I'm not overly enthused about these exercises but am faithfully doing them.
Lori ended the visit with ultrasound and massage of my foot and suggested that I make another appointment for more ultrasound and massage. The idea is to help heal my posterior tibial tendon.
Today I saw Glenn and he did ultrasound and massage and also used electrical stimulation. I found the electricity idea a bit scary but thought I would give it a try. He hooked me up to 4 electrodes - one on the bottom of my foot, one on the right top of my foot, one about 6 inches above my inner ankle and another on the other side of my leg. He turned up the juice until I felt "little fingers" walking on the skin of my foot and lower leg, along with a creepy, crawly sensation. Then he let me control how much juice I gave my leg. It felt OK so I went up to 17.
After the appointment, I hiked for my exercise and was mostly OK but when I was hiking mildly downhill, my leg felt weak and I had to really slow down. I also felt very hungry. After supper, I felt better and feel perfectly normal now. I'll have to evaluate this electric business.
She told me to be sure to press my toes into the ground when I walk. I try at home but largely ignore my gait when I'm out hiking.
She told me to do Toe Curls and Toe Pick-Ups to help strengthen my arch. My toe flexors are already pretty strong and I'm not overly enthused about these exercises but am faithfully doing them.
Lori ended the visit with ultrasound and massage of my foot and suggested that I make another appointment for more ultrasound and massage. The idea is to help heal my posterior tibial tendon.
Today I saw Glenn and he did ultrasound and massage and also used electrical stimulation. I found the electricity idea a bit scary but thought I would give it a try. He hooked me up to 4 electrodes - one on the bottom of my foot, one on the right top of my foot, one about 6 inches above my inner ankle and another on the other side of my leg. He turned up the juice until I felt "little fingers" walking on the skin of my foot and lower leg, along with a creepy, crawly sensation. Then he let me control how much juice I gave my leg. It felt OK so I went up to 17.
After the appointment, I hiked for my exercise and was mostly OK but when I was hiking mildly downhill, my leg felt weak and I had to really slow down. I also felt very hungry. After supper, I felt better and feel perfectly normal now. I'll have to evaluate this electric business.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Done for Another 5-10 Years
The Endoscopy Center is a very smooth operation. They said that Dr. Dooley no longer does the procedures in Los Alamos.
There were no polyps and no biopsies done. The clean-out with the HalfLytely was not completely thorough as I could see bits of brown here and there. Dr. Rowberry's scope has water sprayer on it to rinse off areas. Maybe next time I'll need the gallon size GoLytely to get a colon that's clean. Dr. Rowberry had no complaints about the clean-out. He doesn't like to use the Fleet Phospho Soda solution as it hurts your kidneys, especially as you get older.
I asked not to be knocked out and it worked perfectly as I remember the whole procedure. One time there was a little discomfort so they added a tad more medicine. Spouse piped up to the nurse that he didn't remember much of his procedure and the nurse commented that a hallmark of Dr. Dooley is that he uses plenty of medicine.
I feel a little sleepy not but that may be because I couldn't get to sleep the last two nights until past 2am. My upper stomach is a bit tender.
Now I need to begin eating to replenish myself. Daughter and family come over for dinner tonight. Spouse is making barbecued baby back ribs. My contribution will be baked potatoes and a spinach salad.
I'll juice a grapefruit and tangerine and then get ready to walk downtown instead of walking this evening. I have to return decaying, just purchased asparagus to Smith's, drop off something at the thrift shop box, feed the ducks some bread ends and pick up a book at MPL. It will be pleasant to walk after the colonoscopy procedure.
Tomorrow, after the WI hike, I'll head into Santa Fe to get some chores done.
There were no polyps and no biopsies done. The clean-out with the HalfLytely was not completely thorough as I could see bits of brown here and there. Dr. Rowberry's scope has water sprayer on it to rinse off areas. Maybe next time I'll need the gallon size GoLytely to get a colon that's clean. Dr. Rowberry had no complaints about the clean-out. He doesn't like to use the Fleet Phospho Soda solution as it hurts your kidneys, especially as you get older.
I asked not to be knocked out and it worked perfectly as I remember the whole procedure. One time there was a little discomfort so they added a tad more medicine. Spouse piped up to the nurse that he didn't remember much of his procedure and the nurse commented that a hallmark of Dr. Dooley is that he uses plenty of medicine.
I feel a little sleepy not but that may be because I couldn't get to sleep the last two nights until past 2am. My upper stomach is a bit tender.
Now I need to begin eating to replenish myself. Daughter and family come over for dinner tonight. Spouse is making barbecued baby back ribs. My contribution will be baked potatoes and a spinach salad.
I'll juice a grapefruit and tangerine and then get ready to walk downtown instead of walking this evening. I have to return decaying, just purchased asparagus to Smith's, drop off something at the thrift shop box, feed the ducks some bread ends and pick up a book at MPL. It will be pleasant to walk after the colonoscopy procedure.
Tomorrow, after the WI hike, I'll head into Santa Fe to get some chores done.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Peristalsis and Diarrhea Protocol
Tomorrow I get a colonoscopy - oh, JOY! Soon, like right now, I need to take the peristalsis producing tablets and then, after they work, I get to drink a whole lot of the diarrhea producing liquid. I fear this part more than the actual procedure during which, at least, they gave you good drugs!
I just now opened the blister pack of bisacodyl delayed release tablets. I was afraid they would be huge but they were like tiny pink M&M's. I easily swallowed them but was truly tempted to lick off the hard shell enteric coating as I'm very hungry.
Breakfast was a 12 ounce can of frozen apple juice concentrate. I didn't ask the doctor if this is OK but I know that if I reconstituted it, it would be legal so what's wrong with eating it like a semi-melted ice popsicle? It doesn't have a bunch of artificial junk in it like the ice popsicles I had spouse buy me that I'm not going to eat. Also, I want to avoid drinking too much liquid and getting dysnatremia (ha - look that one up on Google!)
The polyethylene glycol diarrhetic that I'll swill down after the bisacodyl works, cautions against the excessive drinking of liquids afterwards or the body's sodium balance will be upset. So, I think it makes sense to eat the apple juice concentrate unreconstituted to get the calories but not excessive amounts of liquid. I'll take liquids as I need them throughout the day. I have to stop at midnight and have no liquids before the 10am appointment.
I keep thinking of how delicious this or that food would taste so I know I'm getting hungry. I didn't eat "breakfast" until around 11:30am as I was busy all morning.
I showered this morning, cleaned the bathroom, put away my swimming stuff (I lost interest in swimming when it got cold here), and washed two loads of laundry. Spouse will be home soon. He has tomorrow off for Veteran's Day (why in the world did I schedule a colonoscopy for Veteran's Day?) and decided to extend his vacation by only working half a day.
I just now opened the blister pack of bisacodyl delayed release tablets. I was afraid they would be huge but they were like tiny pink M&M's. I easily swallowed them but was truly tempted to lick off the hard shell enteric coating as I'm very hungry.
Breakfast was a 12 ounce can of frozen apple juice concentrate. I didn't ask the doctor if this is OK but I know that if I reconstituted it, it would be legal so what's wrong with eating it like a semi-melted ice popsicle? It doesn't have a bunch of artificial junk in it like the ice popsicles I had spouse buy me that I'm not going to eat. Also, I want to avoid drinking too much liquid and getting dysnatremia (ha - look that one up on Google!)
The polyethylene glycol diarrhetic that I'll swill down after the bisacodyl works, cautions against the excessive drinking of liquids afterwards or the body's sodium balance will be upset. So, I think it makes sense to eat the apple juice concentrate unreconstituted to get the calories but not excessive amounts of liquid. I'll take liquids as I need them throughout the day. I have to stop at midnight and have no liquids before the 10am appointment.
I keep thinking of how delicious this or that food would taste so I know I'm getting hungry. I didn't eat "breakfast" until around 11:30am as I was busy all morning.
I showered this morning, cleaned the bathroom, put away my swimming stuff (I lost interest in swimming when it got cold here), and washed two loads of laundry. Spouse will be home soon. He has tomorrow off for Veteran's Day (why in the world did I schedule a colonoscopy for Veteran's Day?) and decided to extend his vacation by only working half a day.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Busy Work
I have to make a list of all the medications (only 1!), vitamins, minerals, herbs and supplements that I take. This is to bring into the colonoscopy appointment on Tuesday. Diane, from Dr. Rowberry's office, called to remind me of the appointment and ask if I had any questions. She said that if I'm taking any unusual supplements like Chinese herbals, etc., to bring in a list because sometimes medications, herbs, etc., can cause changes in the colon. Just to cover all bases, I'm listing everything and let them figure it out. I'm typing the list on the computer and then I can also print out a copy for my yearly physical. Pain in the butt but once it's typed up, I can easily make revisions and it's easier than handwriting it each time a doctor wants a list of what I take!
I returned the Aircast XP Pneumatic to Dr. Miller's office. I told them that in the short time I wore it in the house, it was starting to hurt my knees and I felt that the large or extra large one wouldn't be any improvement for my knees. I asked if they had the Aircast SP Walker which is the short pneumatic. They didn't.
Joseph is not so bad after all. He called Carrie Tingley to see if the had the short pneumatic and they didn't either so he took the XP off my health insurance and gave me an order for the short pneumatic boot from Hanger nearby. We went over to Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics and they couldn't take a walk-in until the afternoon. They called their Santa Fe location and made an 3pm appointment for me in Santa Fe. Then I got to thinking that I'll wait to get any boot until I see the physical therapist so I cancelled the appointment, calling them on spouse's cell phone.
Walked downtown this evening. Asphalt and pavement is not the most comfortable for my foot but it was a real thrill to be out walking under the stars and the half moon and listening to the BeeGees greatest hits on my Walkman. I talked spouse into walking a mile with me. It was too beautiful a night for him to stay indoors, laying on the couch, watching political pundits.
I returned the Aircast XP Pneumatic to Dr. Miller's office. I told them that in the short time I wore it in the house, it was starting to hurt my knees and I felt that the large or extra large one wouldn't be any improvement for my knees. I asked if they had the Aircast SP Walker which is the short pneumatic. They didn't.
Joseph is not so bad after all. He called Carrie Tingley to see if the had the short pneumatic and they didn't either so he took the XP off my health insurance and gave me an order for the short pneumatic boot from Hanger nearby. We went over to Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics and they couldn't take a walk-in until the afternoon. They called their Santa Fe location and made an 3pm appointment for me in Santa Fe. Then I got to thinking that I'll wait to get any boot until I see the physical therapist so I cancelled the appointment, calling them on spouse's cell phone.
Walked downtown this evening. Asphalt and pavement is not the most comfortable for my foot but it was a real thrill to be out walking under the stars and the half moon and listening to the BeeGees greatest hits on my Walkman. I talked spouse into walking a mile with me. It was too beautiful a night for him to stay indoors, laying on the couch, watching political pundits.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Pleasant Stroll Up Los Alamos Canyon
I probably didn't get started until sometime after 2:30pm. I parked on the Reservoir Road entrance, just off West Road. I didn't see a single soul. There was some thin ice in some of the streamlets flowing on the Reservoir Road.
As I walked up-canyon, I kept wondering about the Cerro Grande fire behavior. The north facing side had obviously been badly burnt and was now a cascade of golden grass. There was a swath of unburnt conifers in the canyon proper that had not burnt probably because they were full of moisture. On the south facing side of the canyon, it reminds me in places of the west facing slopes of Valle Canyon. It has lots of bare stone cliff bulwarks that are unbelievably towering. I can see in places that the trees burnt but in others, live trees still march uphill.
The Reservoir itself looks like as much a wreck as ever. I went just to the western end of the dry gulch that was once the verdant Los Alamos Reservoir.
Think I'd like to do middle Los Alamos Canyon starting from NM-501 as an out and back since I already did the paved part from the ice rink to past the decommissioned Omega Reactor.
My foot behaved wonderfully again. I wonder if my stopping the supplemental Vitamin D, except 1 teaspoon a day of 400IU Vitamin D from Carlson Cod Liver Oil, has anything to do with my miraculous recovery?
I tried out the Vasque Synergist midcut hiking boot today. It's very basic - rubber not Vibram sole and no Gore-Tex lining. That makes it lighter and less likely to aggravate my right foot. On the REI reviews of this shoe, people talked about how it doesn't have much cushioning from rocks underfoot and I can testify to that. It didn't really hurt my foot but it's certainly not as comfortable as the Brooks Adrenaline GTS-8. I'll evaluate it some more in the next weeks.
Have an appointment next week to be evaluated for physical therapy in town. Still waiting to hear from orthotics guy in Albuquerque. Feel kind of stupid going to Albuquerque tomorrow to exchange the wrong size Aircast since I've made a miraculous recovery. I'll ask them about returning it and taking it off my health insurance.
As I walked up-canyon, I kept wondering about the Cerro Grande fire behavior. The north facing side had obviously been badly burnt and was now a cascade of golden grass. There was a swath of unburnt conifers in the canyon proper that had not burnt probably because they were full of moisture. On the south facing side of the canyon, it reminds me in places of the west facing slopes of Valle Canyon. It has lots of bare stone cliff bulwarks that are unbelievably towering. I can see in places that the trees burnt but in others, live trees still march uphill.
The Reservoir itself looks like as much a wreck as ever. I went just to the western end of the dry gulch that was once the verdant Los Alamos Reservoir.
Think I'd like to do middle Los Alamos Canyon starting from NM-501 as an out and back since I already did the paved part from the ice rink to past the decommissioned Omega Reactor.
My foot behaved wonderfully again. I wonder if my stopping the supplemental Vitamin D, except 1 teaspoon a day of 400IU Vitamin D from Carlson Cod Liver Oil, has anything to do with my miraculous recovery?
I tried out the Vasque Synergist midcut hiking boot today. It's very basic - rubber not Vibram sole and no Gore-Tex lining. That makes it lighter and less likely to aggravate my right foot. On the REI reviews of this shoe, people talked about how it doesn't have much cushioning from rocks underfoot and I can testify to that. It didn't really hurt my foot but it's certainly not as comfortable as the Brooks Adrenaline GTS-8. I'll evaluate it some more in the next weeks.
Have an appointment next week to be evaluated for physical therapy in town. Still waiting to hear from orthotics guy in Albuquerque. Feel kind of stupid going to Albuquerque tomorrow to exchange the wrong size Aircast since I've made a miraculous recovery. I'll ask them about returning it and taking it off my health insurance.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Vivifying Walk
I walked down Los Alamos Canyon about 4 miles RT, starting from the ice skating rink. The fall colors of red and yellow of the different shrubs and forbs were beautiful. I saw where Deadman's Trail comes down from Los Alamos Mesa and considered going up it on the way back but I had enough to do with walking uphill into the wind on the way back. I could see snow blowing around over Pajarito - bet it snows tonight. I saw a lab worker at the locked gate into Los Alamos Canyon and he said it snowed 3" last night in Gallina.
Every time I walk middle Los Alamos Canyon, I get the urge to walk it all the way to NM501. After you get past the decommissioned Omega Reactor and the paved road, the canyon is more natural. The cliffs on the north side of the canyon are astoundingly high!
Amazingly, my right foot did beautifully. I had two separate quick twinges of pain but it was like a miracle otherwise. I wore the Brooks Adrenaline GTS-8 (not a winter shoe with all the mesh) and a pair of orange Stupidfeet that I bought yesterday at REI. The box for the orange Superfeet says that it's for medium to high arched feet and has extra shock absorption in the forefoot. My feet are like pancakes, with a slight arch so I fail to see why these insoles worked so well for me. I normally use the green Superfeet. I wonder if it's the extra shock absorption in the forefoot which allowed me to move my toes more normally in my gait stride? Dunno but I hope the miracle reproduces itself tomorrow!
Every time I walk middle Los Alamos Canyon, I get the urge to walk it all the way to NM501. After you get past the decommissioned Omega Reactor and the paved road, the canyon is more natural. The cliffs on the north side of the canyon are astoundingly high!
Amazingly, my right foot did beautifully. I had two separate quick twinges of pain but it was like a miracle otherwise. I wore the Brooks Adrenaline GTS-8 (not a winter shoe with all the mesh) and a pair of orange Stupidfeet that I bought yesterday at REI. The box for the orange Superfeet says that it's for medium to high arched feet and has extra shock absorption in the forefoot. My feet are like pancakes, with a slight arch so I fail to see why these insoles worked so well for me. I normally use the green Superfeet. I wonder if it's the extra shock absorption in the forefoot which allowed me to move my toes more normally in my gait stride? Dunno but I hope the miracle reproduces itself tomorrow!
K-2 Article
I read an article yesterday about this year's climbing disaster on K-2, from Men's Journal magazine. One of the climbers who survived, Wilco Van Rooijen, a Dutch climber, walked away from his two partners after they had summited K-2 very late in the day and had been forced to bivouac at 27,000' overnight. In the morning, there was some confusion amongst the 3 climbers as to the way down and where the ropes were. Van Rooijen, who was badly dehydrated, said to his partners that he didn't want to discuss anything anymore and started down by himself. He got lost on the way down which, in a way, saved his life because it kept him out of the Bottleneck where people were getting killed by falling ice and being tangled up in shoddy ropes and left to dangle and die.
It disturbs me, though, that Van Rooijen abandoned his teammates. Just " See you later - I gotta go save my own butt!" One of his teammates, the first Irishman to summit K-2, Gerard McDonnell, was killed by ice fall on the way down. Since Van Rooijen had such an obviously well developed sense of self-survival, could he perhaps have somehow altered circumstances and prevented McDonnell's death if he had stuck with his teammates? The third teammate, Marco Confortola, an Italian, stuck with McDonnell on the way down.
It's true that I'm engaging in armchair mountain climbing and I don't know what I would have done in the same circumstances. The article has a photo of Van Rooijen, his frostbitten feet still healing from K-2, dandling his 9 month old son on his lap. He had a lot to live for but so did his teammate, McDonnell.
It disturbs me, though, that Van Rooijen abandoned his teammates. Just " See you later - I gotta go save my own butt!" One of his teammates, the first Irishman to summit K-2, Gerard McDonnell, was killed by ice fall on the way down. Since Van Rooijen had such an obviously well developed sense of self-survival, could he perhaps have somehow altered circumstances and prevented McDonnell's death if he had stuck with his teammates? The third teammate, Marco Confortola, an Italian, stuck with McDonnell on the way down.
It's true that I'm engaging in armchair mountain climbing and I don't know what I would have done in the same circumstances. The article has a photo of Van Rooijen, his frostbitten feet still healing from K-2, dandling his 9 month old son on his lap. He had a lot to live for but so did his teammate, McDonnell.
Don't Know About Continued Swimming
As the weather gets colder, I get less and less interested in jumping into an icy cold pool (temps kept in the LOW 80's - brrrr). I did figure out, though, that rinsing in a cool shower afterwards helps to stop the itching from the chlorine but that's a further brrrr! I just don't know if I want to continue with water aerobics.
Thoughts on yesterday's appointment with Dr. Miller: He was very busy and I was the last patient before his lunch and only saw him after waiting one hour beyond my appointment time (had a 10:30am appointment and saw him at 11:30am).
Also, when I did see Dr. Miller, he seemed "half there", probably as a result of exhaustion and hunger after seeing patients, one after another all morning. I told him several things about how my foot was doing and then, in the course of the visit, he asked me several questions that I had already told him, like where was the pain in the morning. I feel rather low on their list of priorities.
I checked the Aircast website and there are braces that would be more specifically appropriate for my condition, posterior tibial tendinitis and plantar fasciitis (both these terms are currently outmoded as the process in the tendon and the fascia has been proven to be more a degenerative one than inflammatory). I'll ask his office Friday if they have those braces. If they don't, I may reconsider the Aircast as it began to hurt my knee in the short time I wore it in the house yesterday (I'm not wearing it now per their instructions so they can re-use it.) I'm going to call Aircast, they have good customer service - that's how I found out Dr. Miller's office gave me the wrong size - and ask them about the knee pain.
I just now called Aircast about the knee pain. They said be sure to use normal gait when wearing the Aircast and that I'll be able to more easily use normal gait when I have the correctly sized one. She concurred with the doctor that the immobilization provided by the under the knee Aircast would be helpful for the posterior tibial tendon problem since my pain extends above my ankle. They have the best customer service!
Dr. Miller's office has a semi-ogre named Joseph. He looked annoyed because I dared to question them about how I could get my medical records. I can't get them directly from their office by signing a release and, in fact, can't even sign a release for their office to send to medical records so medical records can send me the records. I have to either take a shuttle to medical records or write them a letter (I'll choose that method) asking them to send me the records. I understand the system now and won't annoy him in the future. Then, when Joseph was giving me the physical therapy referral, he gave me this haughty, fake "I'm sorry!" when I asked about the fact the referral read Santa Fe and I may want to see someone in Los Alamos. I reassured him that I had merely misunderstood the form and thought that I was constrained to see someone in Santa Fe. I need to call some physical therapists to see who treats plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendinitis.
Thoughts on yesterday's appointment with Dr. Miller: He was very busy and I was the last patient before his lunch and only saw him after waiting one hour beyond my appointment time (had a 10:30am appointment and saw him at 11:30am).
Also, when I did see Dr. Miller, he seemed "half there", probably as a result of exhaustion and hunger after seeing patients, one after another all morning. I told him several things about how my foot was doing and then, in the course of the visit, he asked me several questions that I had already told him, like where was the pain in the morning. I feel rather low on their list of priorities.
I checked the Aircast website and there are braces that would be more specifically appropriate for my condition, posterior tibial tendinitis and plantar fasciitis (both these terms are currently outmoded as the process in the tendon and the fascia has been proven to be more a degenerative one than inflammatory). I'll ask his office Friday if they have those braces. If they don't, I may reconsider the Aircast as it began to hurt my knee in the short time I wore it in the house yesterday (I'm not wearing it now per their instructions so they can re-use it.) I'm going to call Aircast, they have good customer service - that's how I found out Dr. Miller's office gave me the wrong size - and ask them about the knee pain.
I just now called Aircast about the knee pain. They said be sure to use normal gait when wearing the Aircast and that I'll be able to more easily use normal gait when I have the correctly sized one. She concurred with the doctor that the immobilization provided by the under the knee Aircast would be helpful for the posterior tibial tendon problem since my pain extends above my ankle. They have the best customer service!
Dr. Miller's office has a semi-ogre named Joseph. He looked annoyed because I dared to question them about how I could get my medical records. I can't get them directly from their office by signing a release and, in fact, can't even sign a release for their office to send to medical records so medical records can send me the records. I have to either take a shuttle to medical records or write them a letter (I'll choose that method) asking them to send me the records. I understand the system now and won't annoy him in the future. Then, when Joseph was giving me the physical therapy referral, he gave me this haughty, fake "I'm sorry!" when I asked about the fact the referral read Santa Fe and I may want to see someone in Los Alamos. I reassured him that I had merely misunderstood the form and thought that I was constrained to see someone in Santa Fe. I need to call some physical therapists to see who treats plantar fasciitis and posterior tibial tendinitis.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Trip to Dr. Miller
Got up at 5:30am. Always have to tell myself when I have to get up early that no matter how little sleep I get, I will be OK and it will be enough. That helps me to get to sleep.
Dr. Miller gave me an Aircast boot to wear to relieve the foot pain. He said I could wear it as needed. Only one problem - the technician gave me the wrong size and my toes hang over the edge and hit the ground when I walk. I have to exchange it this Friday. Spouse has graciously agreed to go down with me.
Dr. Miller recommended Albuquerque physical therapist to make the orthotics. I said I wanted someone who could make orthotics for an active person. Even though he's a physical therapist, he makes orthotics on the side. Jemez Physical Therapy also recommended him. Dr. Miller also gave me a referral for 8 physical therapy visits. He could see that I still have some mild swelling in my ankle area. I have to figure out who to go to.
Not going to 5:30pm shallow water aerobics class anymore. Pool and unisex locker room are way too busy. Besides, I feel so much colder that time of day (it's dark now with the time change) and it coincides with dinner time. I did enjoy the teacher and the music. I'll go back to the noon water aerobics class.
Dr. Miller gave me an Aircast boot to wear to relieve the foot pain. He said I could wear it as needed. Only one problem - the technician gave me the wrong size and my toes hang over the edge and hit the ground when I walk. I have to exchange it this Friday. Spouse has graciously agreed to go down with me.
Dr. Miller recommended Albuquerque physical therapist to make the orthotics. I said I wanted someone who could make orthotics for an active person. Even though he's a physical therapist, he makes orthotics on the side. Jemez Physical Therapy also recommended him. Dr. Miller also gave me a referral for 8 physical therapy visits. He could see that I still have some mild swelling in my ankle area. I have to figure out who to go to.
Not going to 5:30pm shallow water aerobics class anymore. Pool and unisex locker room are way too busy. Besides, I feel so much colder that time of day (it's dark now with the time change) and it coincides with dinner time. I did enjoy the teacher and the music. I'll go back to the noon water aerobics class.
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