Well I guess I will report that there isn't much of a change to the leg/ankle right now. I've been getting around pretty well with my boot, but I will still be using crutches for another month or so. That is if the crutches make it. I have left chunks of the rubber feet around my apartment and the streets. I have ordered new feet online but it seems like every place I go to order from is sold out.
Also, acupuncture has also been going well. I have a cream and a liquid that the acupuncturist gave me I apply to my leg that is supposed to help reduce swelling and dissipate the bruising. He also gave me the most horrible tasting Chinese herbs to take. After some discussion with him he's going to encapsulate them for me so I can take it in a pill form. Phew.
But that isn't the big story at the moment is not my ankle. It's work. I know I've mentioned before work's been a little harry for the past couple months. We've been busy but we haven't had any new work come in. So with people getting laid off, people breaking ankles, people getting rehired it's been quite a mess recently. Well one of the guys we regretfully laid off has found himself a new job. I am very excited for him and glad that he has been able to find work. So I've been mainly working from home providing support to my other guy in the field, learning engineering software, and doing other office work that I can. Well..... Here is where the plot thickens. Due to obvious uncertainties in the company my remaining guy has decided that he needs certainty for him and his family. He put his two weeks last Friday. So that leaves it to my boss and I.
So how is this going to work? I can't walk and really work in the field and my boss has been really out of the field work for about the last 2 years (it's been my job). So we think we have an idea. In, what I think is Disney Pixar's best movie ever and probably the best movie this summer, Ratatouille. Remy the rat hides under Linguini's hat and by pulling his hair in different directions gets Linguini to do what he commands. It may be our only option for the time being.
At least for right now I've been able to work. I have yet to figure out if I am allowed to work and supplement my disability income or if I am screwing myself. I got a whole 'nother set of papers to fill out. I have started to see the insurance claims come into my insurance company though. They haven't all been processed but anybody want to guess what the total billed to the insurance company is up to so far?
Well, I am off to figure out how I can carry my bags when I head to the airport on Thursday.
Have a happy and safe 4th.
Showing posts with label acupuncture. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acupuncture. Show all posts
Monday, July 2, 2007
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Go for a ride...
Well, I have now been out of work for about three weeks. I ran out of PTO days (vacation days) last Tuesday. I am still waiting to receive legible paperwork so I can submit for my short term disability claim. And I am getting pretty bored sitting on the couch. So I am making no money and I've got no job. Wonderful eh?
"What?! No job" you say? As I discussed in the beginning, this has been a very interesting turn of events in the past couple weeks. I talked to my boss last Sunday and basically his hands are tied. We just don't have enough money to pay more then one person. He has tried talking with the other partners to see if there is something that can be done, anyway to get me some work. The only real things my boss could really come up with are just some BS things. Granted they would be helpful but I can't be doing work that we can't charge my hours back for. So if something comes up like programming some lights or something like that then we could probably work something out.
So I decided that I need to start finding some work. Either via my job or some job but I need to find someway to bring some money in. I decided to call the other partners in the company in the NJ office. After explaining the situation I think they realize they need to find some work for me or they may lose me. They have decided to push down some engineering work for both the Miami and NJ offices. So basically I'll be working with CAD and Visio to generate drawings for the technicians to follow. I'll get paid an hourly rate (yet to be determined). It does look like I may get some work directly from Miami after all. We got a call from a customer last week saying there was an issue with some outside lights not turning on consistently. So I get to make some programming adjustments. I am not sure how they are going to pay me, but I am going to submit my time worked. Also we have a new prospective client. I spent about an hour generating a lighting and motorized shade quote to pass along to engineering for a proposal. A whole hour. w00t!
My week could be busy. Well at least for the first couple days. Between getting caught up with the engineering software and doctor appointments.
I have finalized the acupuncture schedule. I will meet 3x a week for a month, then 2x a week for two months and then 1x a week for another 2 months. Basically a 5 month program that he believes will cut my recovery time down by about 30%. Like I've said before my realistic goal it to be back on a bike by Thanksgiving. One comment I would like to add on behalf of my grandmother regarding Acupuncture. I found out recently she is experiencing similar yet more severe hand numbness that I was having. Hers is pretty much permanent and effects the whole hand. After completing a nerve conduction study (which she says doesn't hurt), seeing orthopods and finally seeing an acupuncturist she still has no relief. I ended up telling my acupuncturist about this. I think we agree that it is possible the nerve damage may be too far along but it does seem like quite a coincidence that my grandma and I have the same symptoms in the same hand.
I will know much more about my recovery/physical therapy timing once Tuesday afternoon rolls around after my meeting with the orthopedic surgeon. I'll keep you posted.
Other then all this drama I have a bit more to throw on the fire, although it isn't really dramatic. I met a girl online about two weeks ago. We've exchanged a good handful of emails. She seems like a great person, seems to get my sense of humor, and overall is somebody I would like to meet, oh and is cute to boot. So we decided to meet on Saturday. The only stipulation for meeting was we couldn't go somewhere where I would have to walk a lot. So no romantic walks on the beach or anything. We decided on a nice sit down at the stereotypical Starbucks. Unfortunately her car broke down on Friday so we are going to reschedule for some time this week. We were both bummed about not meeting but we did get a chance to chat online over the weekend. As I've been typing this I as thinking of a name so you could identify her as I post more of the story. But of course I wouldn't post her real name, it would have to be a nickname or something. But then I realized I am not Jacqueline and I don't come up with nick names for all my friends and people I've dated. If she comes up with one I'll think about it and let ya know.
Since I screwed up my ankle I have thought about riding quite a bit. But last week I was on my way home from acupuncture. I was driving down the road and I was thinking about what I was going to do that afternoon. First thought that popped in my head was "hey I'll go for a ride"..... "aww fuck."
"What?! No job" you say? As I discussed in the beginning, this has been a very interesting turn of events in the past couple weeks. I talked to my boss last Sunday and basically his hands are tied. We just don't have enough money to pay more then one person. He has tried talking with the other partners to see if there is something that can be done, anyway to get me some work. The only real things my boss could really come up with are just some BS things. Granted they would be helpful but I can't be doing work that we can't charge my hours back for. So if something comes up like programming some lights or something like that then we could probably work something out.
So I decided that I need to start finding some work. Either via my job or some job but I need to find someway to bring some money in. I decided to call the other partners in the company in the NJ office. After explaining the situation I think they realize they need to find some work for me or they may lose me. They have decided to push down some engineering work for both the Miami and NJ offices. So basically I'll be working with CAD and Visio to generate drawings for the technicians to follow. I'll get paid an hourly rate (yet to be determined). It does look like I may get some work directly from Miami after all. We got a call from a customer last week saying there was an issue with some outside lights not turning on consistently. So I get to make some programming adjustments. I am not sure how they are going to pay me, but I am going to submit my time worked. Also we have a new prospective client. I spent about an hour generating a lighting and motorized shade quote to pass along to engineering for a proposal. A whole hour. w00t!
My week could be busy. Well at least for the first couple days. Between getting caught up with the engineering software and doctor appointments.
I have finalized the acupuncture schedule. I will meet 3x a week for a month, then 2x a week for two months and then 1x a week for another 2 months. Basically a 5 month program that he believes will cut my recovery time down by about 30%. Like I've said before my realistic goal it to be back on a bike by Thanksgiving. One comment I would like to add on behalf of my grandmother regarding Acupuncture. I found out recently she is experiencing similar yet more severe hand numbness that I was having. Hers is pretty much permanent and effects the whole hand. After completing a nerve conduction study (which she says doesn't hurt), seeing orthopods and finally seeing an acupuncturist she still has no relief. I ended up telling my acupuncturist about this. I think we agree that it is possible the nerve damage may be too far along but it does seem like quite a coincidence that my grandma and I have the same symptoms in the same hand.
I will know much more about my recovery/physical therapy timing once Tuesday afternoon rolls around after my meeting with the orthopedic surgeon. I'll keep you posted.
Other then all this drama I have a bit more to throw on the fire, although it isn't really dramatic. I met a girl online about two weeks ago. We've exchanged a good handful of emails. She seems like a great person, seems to get my sense of humor, and overall is somebody I would like to meet, oh and is cute to boot. So we decided to meet on Saturday. The only stipulation for meeting was we couldn't go somewhere where I would have to walk a lot. So no romantic walks on the beach or anything. We decided on a nice sit down at the stereotypical Starbucks. Unfortunately her car broke down on Friday so we are going to reschedule for some time this week. We were both bummed about not meeting but we did get a chance to chat online over the weekend. As I've been typing this I as thinking of a name so you could identify her as I post more of the story. But of course I wouldn't post her real name, it would have to be a nickname or something. But then I realized I am not Jacqueline and I don't come up with nick names for all my friends and people I've dated. If she comes up with one I'll think about it and let ya know.
Since I screwed up my ankle I have thought about riding quite a bit. But last week I was on my way home from acupuncture. I was driving down the road and I was thinking about what I was going to do that afternoon. First thought that popped in my head was "hey I'll go for a ride"..... "aww fuck."
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Acupuncture
I've been going to see an acupuncturist for about 3 months now. I originally started going because for a little while now I was noticing a numbness/tingling feeling in my left hand, mainly my two middle fingers. I noticed it a while back and certain activities would cause it to be worse. But it was typically temporary. I would just shake my hand out and I was ok. Well it was getting worse and worse to the point when it was effecting my daily activities. I would get numbness typing, riding my bike to the point I couldn't grab the break and even just sitting on the couch, driving, or sleeping. Once it got to this point I was really getting worried.
One worry was diabetes but it would be a bit odd to get it in only one hand, nothing in my feet, etc. So... ok not so worried about that. I decided it was time for me to find a local physician. I've typically gone back to NJ for doctor visits (like my hair cuts). But I figured a doctor was easier to find then a barber. Went to him for a general physical, we talked about my hand, allergies, etc etc. He wanted me to go get a nerve conduction study for my hand to figure out where the nerve was pinched. Decided to hold off on this procedure as I hear it can be a bit painful. After talking with a couple other people we pretty much determined it was carpel tunnel syndrome.
Well because pretty much my whole family is pretty into alternative medicine and healing we are all pretty open to acupuncture. So what the hell. If I could get some tiny little needles stuck in me and I won't have to wear a wrist brace... perfect.
So I got referred to Coral Gables Acupuncture I met with the guy. Totally an awesome guy, really friendly and real easy to talk to. He got me started that day. He thought maybe it was a nerve pinch and poor blood flow in the upper back and neck. We started on a 2x/week meeting for I think 3 weeks. He put some needles in my neck, back, and head and off we went. Other visits we would do points in the legs, arms, and head. He also gave me some Chinese herbal meds to work on blood flow.
Sidebar #1: Now I guess I will add this in now. Some of you must be saying, "I can understand the arms and neck but why is this dope putting needles in my legs when I went in about my hands." I'll give you the short short version (check out his website, HowItWorks, or Google for more info). Your body generates tiny electrical charges during it's normal process. This energy flows through your ENTIRE body if there is a blockage or an unbalance then something ain't going to work right. The needles at specific points help release the blockages so things can balance out. For those that live in South Florida. We all know that when you are driving on 836W past the Miami airport and a plane in landing, traffic tends to slow down a bit. This effects you if you are right behind the guy but somehow it would still effect you if you were at the 395/95 interchange, or going East on 836. So, you remove the one dumbass rubber necker and get everybody else to cooperate and traffic is much better. Ok.. maybe not the best description of acupuncture but I think you get the point.
Sidebar #2: The next point of concern people always ask.... "Does it hurt?" Generally I have found it doesn't hurt. Yes I have felt a small twinge when the needle goes in. Getting needles in the harder parts of the ear isn't really painful but an interesting feeling. But honestly it is so relaxing you very quickly forget about the needles. I have fallen asleep during every session.
He very quickly determined if I was responding to treatment. If you don't respond within a few then it is very possible that A) they aren't attacking the right points or, most likely B) your body just may not respond to it. We were seeing slight improvements. I was waking up less each morning with my hand being numb or less frequent numbness during other rest periods. But I would still get it biking. After a couple weeks we switched to a direct attack to the hand. We are talking about 10-15 needles in the hand and wrist area specifically concentrating the carpel tunnel areas. We met 1x/week and after the first week I had already noticed a difference. Now, 7 visits and about 9 weeks later I have not had any numbness in my hand riding, sleeping, typing or anything. This is exactly what I was looking for. It may have cost a bit more (insurance didn't cover me for this) then going to see a neurologist but totally worth it.
I also did a diet cleansing/weight loss program with them. Basically the cleansing process (and no it wasn't a liquid diet with a bunch of diarrhea) was to help flush any chemicals and artificial stuff out of my system to ensure my digestive tract was running as efficiently as it should. So with the cleansing, acupuncture to help stimulate the digestive system and a life change in eating (can't really call it a diet) has gotten me to where I am.
I have one more scheduled visit because I had to cancel one due to a broken ankle. At this one I am sure we will talk about my hand but I think the more pressing issue to talk about is the ankle/leg. I want to see if there is anything he can do for me to help with the healing of my leg, help prevent scar tissue, help prevent arthritis in the future, and overall speed things up so I can get a move on.
So I will be happy to talk to anybody about my acupuncture experience, and I want to hear about yours. I know there are a lot of skeptics out there and people afraid of needles. Oh and of people that I know, let me know if you are interested I have a coupon of sorts for basically a free first visit/consultation.
(he really should pay me for this eh? You know what, the success of my hand is enough)
One worry was diabetes but it would be a bit odd to get it in only one hand, nothing in my feet, etc. So... ok not so worried about that. I decided it was time for me to find a local physician. I've typically gone back to NJ for doctor visits (like my hair cuts). But I figured a doctor was easier to find then a barber. Went to him for a general physical, we talked about my hand, allergies, etc etc. He wanted me to go get a nerve conduction study for my hand to figure out where the nerve was pinched. Decided to hold off on this procedure as I hear it can be a bit painful. After talking with a couple other people we pretty much determined it was carpel tunnel syndrome.
Well because pretty much my whole family is pretty into alternative medicine and healing we are all pretty open to acupuncture. So what the hell. If I could get some tiny little needles stuck in me and I won't have to wear a wrist brace... perfect.
So I got referred to Coral Gables Acupuncture I met with the guy. Totally an awesome guy, really friendly and real easy to talk to. He got me started that day. He thought maybe it was a nerve pinch and poor blood flow in the upper back and neck. We started on a 2x/week meeting for I think 3 weeks. He put some needles in my neck, back, and head and off we went. Other visits we would do points in the legs, arms, and head. He also gave me some Chinese herbal meds to work on blood flow.
Sidebar #1: Now I guess I will add this in now. Some of you must be saying, "I can understand the arms and neck but why is this dope putting needles in my legs when I went in about my hands." I'll give you the short short version (check out his website, HowItWorks, or Google for more info). Your body generates tiny electrical charges during it's normal process. This energy flows through your ENTIRE body if there is a blockage or an unbalance then something ain't going to work right. The needles at specific points help release the blockages so things can balance out. For those that live in South Florida. We all know that when you are driving on 836W past the Miami airport and a plane in landing, traffic tends to slow down a bit. This effects you if you are right behind the guy but somehow it would still effect you if you were at the 395/95 interchange, or going East on 836. So, you remove the one dumbass rubber necker and get everybody else to cooperate and traffic is much better. Ok.. maybe not the best description of acupuncture but I think you get the point.
Sidebar #2: The next point of concern people always ask.... "Does it hurt?" Generally I have found it doesn't hurt. Yes I have felt a small twinge when the needle goes in. Getting needles in the harder parts of the ear isn't really painful but an interesting feeling. But honestly it is so relaxing you very quickly forget about the needles. I have fallen asleep during every session.
He very quickly determined if I was responding to treatment. If you don't respond within a few then it is very possible that A) they aren't attacking the right points or, most likely B) your body just may not respond to it. We were seeing slight improvements. I was waking up less each morning with my hand being numb or less frequent numbness during other rest periods. But I would still get it biking. After a couple weeks we switched to a direct attack to the hand. We are talking about 10-15 needles in the hand and wrist area specifically concentrating the carpel tunnel areas. We met 1x/week and after the first week I had already noticed a difference. Now, 7 visits and about 9 weeks later I have not had any numbness in my hand riding, sleeping, typing or anything. This is exactly what I was looking for. It may have cost a bit more (insurance didn't cover me for this) then going to see a neurologist but totally worth it.
I also did a diet cleansing/weight loss program with them. Basically the cleansing process (and no it wasn't a liquid diet with a bunch of diarrhea) was to help flush any chemicals and artificial stuff out of my system to ensure my digestive tract was running as efficiently as it should. So with the cleansing, acupuncture to help stimulate the digestive system and a life change in eating (can't really call it a diet) has gotten me to where I am.
I have one more scheduled visit because I had to cancel one due to a broken ankle. At this one I am sure we will talk about my hand but I think the more pressing issue to talk about is the ankle/leg. I want to see if there is anything he can do for me to help with the healing of my leg, help prevent scar tissue, help prevent arthritis in the future, and overall speed things up so I can get a move on.
So I will be happy to talk to anybody about my acupuncture experience, and I want to hear about yours. I know there are a lot of skeptics out there and people afraid of needles. Oh and of people that I know, let me know if you are interested I have a coupon of sorts for basically a free first visit/consultation.
(he really should pay me for this eh? You know what, the success of my hand is enough)
On the *road* to recovery
Well the week is just about over and I can't believe about 2 weeks ago my foot was rotated around my leg by about 90 degrees. Good times... right? I know this has bothered me since that day but I was thinking about it today. Before I broke it I was riding about 4 times a week which worked out to be about 50 or so miles a week. This certainly attributed to my 20+ lbs weight loss over the past month/month and a half. Between biking, eating right, and my acupuncture, I feel great, I have more energy throughout the day, and I look damn good.... well almost.
The good news is I think I have actually continued to lose a little weight. I got on the scale and I've lost 1lb. Now... that is with my crutches (~2 lbs) and my splint (even though it may fell like it weights 10lbs I'm thinking more like 2 or 3lbs) so I may dare to say 5lbs but let's just say 4 to be conservative.
I have been getting a bit of a work out with my crutches. Mom and I went shopping Thursday so I could get some new shorts. I never knew how exhausting it was to try on clothes with ONE leg. I had brought a paper towel to wipe my brow, I was thinking more along the lines of "ahh hell I'll get a mop"
So I really haven't slept in about 3 or 4 days and it's getting annoying. Last night (Thursday night) I got about maybe 3 hours combined sleep. With some really weird dreams. People tell me it is the drugs working out of my system. To top it off we had to get an early jump on the day. Mom had a flight to catch. So in the morning mom came by to pick me up around 9:30 and we went back to her hotel for breakfast. We went to a car rental place and I got me a car. Some may wonder why do I need a car.... well my car has a manual transmission and I don't think I am quite able to clutch yet. Who really knows if I should be driving yet. So I am now on the road to recovery. w00t!
One question that people have asked is how well mom and I got along for the past week or so. I would say things went very well and I really couldn't have gotten through without her help. I told her that the next time she wants to spend a couple weeks at the Four Seasons I have a whole 'nother leg. So... Mom, thank you very much for your help. I don't know if you realize how much I appreciate everything. I love you.
So I've made my follow up appointment for my ankle. I am seeing the doctor on the 26th. At that point I hope he will take some x-rays so I can get a copy, because I'll never be able to get them from the hospital. And he should also put me in a removable boot of sorts so I can shower with both legs in the shower. And I hope I can sleep without the boot soon. Having this weight on my leg is just annoying when I am trying to sleep. Oh, and I should be getting my handicapable pass. Who wants a ride?
The good news is I think I have actually continued to lose a little weight. I got on the scale and I've lost 1lb. Now... that is with my crutches (~2 lbs) and my splint (even though it may fell like it weights 10lbs I'm thinking more like 2 or 3lbs) so I may dare to say 5lbs but let's just say 4 to be conservative.
I have been getting a bit of a work out with my crutches. Mom and I went shopping Thursday so I could get some new shorts. I never knew how exhausting it was to try on clothes with ONE leg. I had brought a paper towel to wipe my brow, I was thinking more along the lines of "ahh hell I'll get a mop"
So I really haven't slept in about 3 or 4 days and it's getting annoying. Last night (Thursday night) I got about maybe 3 hours combined sleep. With some really weird dreams. People tell me it is the drugs working out of my system. To top it off we had to get an early jump on the day. Mom had a flight to catch. So in the morning mom came by to pick me up around 9:30 and we went back to her hotel for breakfast. We went to a car rental place and I got me a car. Some may wonder why do I need a car.... well my car has a manual transmission and I don't think I am quite able to clutch yet. Who really knows if I should be driving yet. So I am now on the road to recovery. w00t!
One question that people have asked is how well mom and I got along for the past week or so. I would say things went very well and I really couldn't have gotten through without her help. I told her that the next time she wants to spend a couple weeks at the Four Seasons I have a whole 'nother leg. So... Mom, thank you very much for your help. I don't know if you realize how much I appreciate everything. I love you.
So I've made my follow up appointment for my ankle. I am seeing the doctor on the 26th. At that point I hope he will take some x-rays so I can get a copy, because I'll never be able to get them from the hospital. And he should also put me in a removable boot of sorts so I can shower with both legs in the shower. And I hope I can sleep without the boot soon. Having this weight on my leg is just annoying when I am trying to sleep. Oh, and I should be getting my handicapable pass. Who wants a ride?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)