Bone Density Results - Normal

Had my first bit of good news today, my bone density tests came back normal. That's a relief, my parents would have been shocked, we drank milk all the time as kids. My mom actually had to put a limit on how much we drank because my brother and I went through it so quickly. I've been staying at my parents and every chance it's been would you like some OJ there's extra calcium in it, or what about some milk, chocolate milk? My vitamins have calcium in them and I have calcium supplements too. Not stopping the supplements, no way, anything that might help me heal faster is still in the mix.

My first x-ray is tomorrow, crossing my fingers that it is setting properly. I've been a little concerned because I almost fell at my 5-year college reunion, and hope I didn't hurt it.

Femoral Neck Fracture

Friday was loads of fun, add a little false hope and you have yet another adventure that I think I'd rather avoid... I went to the orthopedic surgeon's and he took a look at the x-rays, there was not any indication of a fracture (my pelvis isn't perfect - part of the bone didn't grow completely so there's a little space) and after some movement test, he said I might be lucky and have a hip flexor stain after all. I went in immediately for a MRI so we could have a definitive answer. That was an experience, I understand why some people have issues with small spaces, the air feels different and if I lifted my head I could have hit in on the dome. They said the tests would be done at 2:30, I wasn't that worried I wasn't going to see the doctor until Monday after I had my bone density testing done.

I went to lunch with my mom and had just bit into my sandwich when my phone rang, it was the OS calling to tell me to come right in. Umm, that can't be good. So in I go, and I'm not lucky, actually it's worse than he thought, it isn't my pelvis but my femoral neck that's fractured. He starts to tell me that I have to stay completely off of my right leg and the complications that can arise should I decide to put pressure on it. The stress fracture can displace, with that the head loses blood flow and can die resulting in required surgery and permanent arthritis with a potential for more issues- do I ever want to walk again? He had to have said no weight bearing and crutches and made sure to point this out, and that this news generally tends to lose something over the phone.

Once a week for the next 3 weeks I will have x-rays taken to make sure I'm healing and the head hasn't displaced or lost blood flow. Then, in 6 weeks, hopefully the x-ray will show enough healing that we can start working on walking. No marathon, and we're not even going to talk about it. I keep hoping it's the you have to walk before you run... (It's ironic I hated running for 15 years, and made myself run for a great cause, now I love it and can't do it.) Actually, the way it sounds, I might not ever be able to run a marathon (possibly not run again) and I was so close to it, but if there's a chance even if it takes years, I will do it - with the blessing of the OS. If not, there's always another endurance sport to try.

So now, I get to sit or lay down as much as possible or crutch around. Upper body work is the only working out I'm allowed to attempt. How many days can you lift weights?

I do have a disabled placard, but it's not as cool when you actually need it.

Still waiting on this morning's bone density testing and hoping that it comes back with positive marks.

Hip Strain... Or so I thought on the 20-Mile Run
(don't stop reading until you get to the end)

Three and a half weeks of training, two weeks of an impeccable diet, and one last long run before the marathon, add in the attitude I had that day and it should have rivaled the 16-mile run for being the best run of the season. Like the 18-mile run, I started cramping early around mile 11, hamstrings and quads, but between 11 and 14 (water stop) it felt like my hip flexor was cramping. When we arrived at the water stop I was almost in tears, somewhere between pain and disappointment in knowing I might not complete the 20 mile run, and not knowing whether to continue or throw in the towel. After talking with a coach, run captain, and mentor, I decided to keep going, knowing that if it became worse that a car would come get me.

Emily kept me going, with encouragements for another couple miles when Erin joined us. She said it looked like I had marathon runner's shuffle, which is from cramping of the hip flexor muscle. I couldn't raise my leg over obstacles, and it spasmed pretty bad a couple of times. I ended up walking to 18-miles and grabbed a ride to the start, at 18 I really felt I could walk, but not run the last 2 miles. It took about 30 minutes to get back to the start, and when I tried to get out of the car my right leg gave, it felt as if all the power had gone out of my leg and hurt worse than I imagined it would.

So I got home and barely able to put any weight on my leg, hopped and limped around using a cane until Monday morning when my friend Kris brought over a pair of crutches. I love my friends, those crutches made my life so much easier. I figured that with the hip strain I might still make the marathon... I called Coach John and at this point I could put about 50-70% pressure on this leg and he informed me that not being able to bear weight on a limp generally meant fracture and that I might have a stress fracture.

Yeah right, I'm sure, me a facture are you kidding? The podiatrist just told me a couple weeks ago that I look like I have good bone density. So I go into work today and chat with my friend Lisa, who has had 4 kness surgeries, broken bones, and fractures, because I have never experienced any of these things and she convinces me to go to Urgent Care. Come on, I can put 80-90% of my weight on it today, I barely need the crutches, but I'll go. I need the ok to run the marathon; it's two and a half weeks away.

Well, after explaining the situation to the doctor and 3 x-rays later... no sugar coating, it's straight to the "I have bad news, you've fractured your pelvis, right there. Stay completely off your right leg. And see the other side, it looks like you've fractured that one several years ago and it healed fine, are you sure you didn't hurt it before? No work or activity for 3 days, and you can't go back to work until you get the orthopedic surgeon's ok. "

I actually had to have the nurse re-explain the part above to me, I heard fracture and managed to hear, but not process the rest. I knew it was a possibility, and it made sense, but I kept hoping above all else that it wasn't so. I was ok, until I hit the parking lot and started laughing and crying together. It just seemed to go so well together, to get so close and then blow it. Then came the calling the fewest and most important people that needed to know - Lisa, parents, work, my doctor, and my coach. The OS my doctor recommends, is booked solid and we have to see when he can fit me in...

I will know more once I see the doctor, but according to the coach 8-12 weeks until I can start training again and, even then, I will have to take it a little slower. Supplements, yes lots. Sitting on my rear, was hoping that was almost over as I had booked a full weekend- Friday -social event, Saturday 5-year college reunion, and Luau party, Sunday-Bay to Breakers (hmmm, not this year). We'll see. I want off the crutches as I swear I'm hurting the left side - let's see that would be the almost falling, tripping over my feet/crutches, and landing too hard on my left side because crutches are a lot more difficult than they look.

I will continue to keep the blog up, as it just seems to be one adventure after another. I have more doctors appointments and this could get interesting - I've already learned a lot about running.