I can’t say I don’t miss the 5-star service and the glorious azure water of Turks & Caicos, but it sure is good to be safely home and loving on my kids. I missed these guys like crazy while I was gone.
The dank rain and chilly temps sure aren’t making re-entry any easier. It’s hard to believe that just a couple days ago I was sweating as I sat by the pool, sipping a mojito.
It took me a good two days before I could finally relax and enjoy myself down there, and by then it was almost time to turn around and come home. I’m still not myself. I’m twitchy, stir-crazy, and feeling generally out of sorts, BUT.
I got good news yesterday.
I visited with my mom for a few hours after we put the kids on the bus. Then she left for home, and I went to my orthopedist for another follow-up on my foot. You may remember, I was having a lot of pain before I left for Turks & Caicos. In retrospect, I’m pretty sure it was the strength training workouts that set it off. We were being careful. I didn’t do any jumping or heavy impact or anything, but we did some squats, and I think that’s all it took.
I was starting to feel better before I left, and I did okay while I was in Turks. Just to be on the safe side, I mostly wore my faithful Orthaheel sandals around the resort, and I wore supportive sneakers in the airports. There was A TON of walking, so the fact that my pain didn’t get worse was encouraging. I was feeling hopeful when I went to the doctor’s office yesterday.
Happily, an x-ray confirmed that my stress fracture is continuing to heal nicely. AND my doctor has cleared me to start walking and biking. He also recommended physical therapy as my foot ankle is weak right now.
I drilled him about what I’m allowed to do and not to do. I’ve been so inactive for so long that I’m afraid of what might happen if I start doing anything that constitutes as exercise. But he said the bone is healing well and I should be okay to ride my bike, swim (ha!) and even walk. He even suggested . . . that I might . . . you know . . . eventually . . . be able to try running again.
I feel like I have to whisper it. I’m not very optimistic. I still have this nagging plantar fasciitis in the OTHER foot that I fear is a sleeping dragon, just waiting to be awoken so it can flare up again and crush my hopes and dreams.
Okay, fine, so perhaps that’s a bit melodramatic.
Honestly, right now I couldn’t care less about running. I just need to burn off this restless energy. I don’t care how I do it.
So I wasted no time. This morning I laced up my sneakers and went for a brisk walk around the block. Seriously, we’re talking less than a mile, but it felt good. My feet don’t hurt at all. I’ll probably go out again after lunch. I figured, I’m better off going out a few times a day for a short walk rather than trying to do a longer one right off the bat.
I’m eager to get into physical therapy because I know I’ve lost a lot of strength and mobility from so many weeks of sitting on my tuckus waiting for this stress fracture to heal. I can only hope that it turns out to be for the best and that the rest also helped the plantar fasciitis on my other foot. Only time will tell.
Other than that, I’m just working like crazy to get caught up on a few work-related projects, while simultaneously trying to plan our April vacation to Phoenix and the Grand Canyon (it’s coming along!) as well as a spontaneous weekend girls’ trip with my mom and my daughters to NYC in December.
I got it in my head that I want to take my girls to tea at the American Girl Place before they get to old for it, and what better time to take a trip to NYC than at holiday time!?? Unfortunately, my older daughter has already outgrown the American Girl phenomenon, but I think we can coerce her to come along when she finds out we’ll be going to New York City.
Have any of y’all done that yet? Is it as fun as it sounds? I sure hope so because it’s gonna cost a pretty penny!
17 Responses
Glad you foot woes appear to be resolving – we kind of take them for granted til something goes wrong!
We might be heading for NYC next year with the kids – (16,14 and 10) so will be paying attention to what you choose to visit.
YAY!! Enjoy your walking 🙂
We are going to the DC AG store in the Spring for my daughter’s birthday. She is turning 5- she wants an AG so so badly but I can’t bring myself to buy one for an under 5 year old, so this is my mental compromise. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it! I considered NYC but I live slightly closer to DC and decided it is less hassle to go there.
NYC in December sounds amazing! My oldest is working in NYC three or four days a week right now, and she’s been begging me to come for a long weekend. Sure would be fun!
I have never seen NYC at Christmas time! So, have remedied that with a girls day trip to the city this year – in December and I can’t wait!
My sister-in-law, niece, daughter, and I went to the Chicago American Girl store many years ago when my daughter
was about 9, and we had a wonderful time. It wasn’t cheap to do the lunch thing with the dolls (so cute!), but it was
a great time and now a precious memory. Naturally, we had to buy a new outfit for the doll, too, during that trip.
I highly recommend doing this excursion.
Good to know! I’m looking forward to it. Seems like something to do at least once. 🙂
Excellent news re: the foot! I hope you have a great experience in PT — I absolutely 100% credit PT for being able to walk again. I’m back in it now due to losing strength (not a huge surprise given my disease), and I swear by it. One thing she’s trying on me is kinesio-tape. Have you tried it? I’ve not noticed a decrease in pain, but I *have* noticed a decrease in swelling, so I’m all for it. And since it’s drug-free, I really feel like everyone should try it! 😀
As for NYC, funny… I’m sitting here planning a NYC trip for Christmas as well! Exciting stuff, since I’ve never been up during the holidays. 🙂
Yep, they’ve tried the tape. I swear, I’ve tried everything. And I can still feel that PF there, under the surface, waiting to act up. I know it will as soon as I get more active. So frustrating.
What are you planning to do in NYC??
Ugh. Frustrating indeed.
As for NYC, just the usual “tourist-y” holiday things — store windows, the Christmas Market, Rock Center tree, hit up my favorite store in the world!! (Tiffany & Co.), and of course, catch a show.
Are y’all just going for the day or staying up there a few days??
One night or two. We are also thinking of catching a show!
We took our daughter to the AG in Chicago for lunch and to shop for her birthday, and it was wonderful. The Chicago store serves a breakfast, lunch, and teas, so they move large groups in and out like clockwork. Even my husband was impressed with the organization! You will all enjoy it!
That sounds awesome!
I’m glad your foot is getting better. I know that I feel better when I can get some exercise. Especially when I’m stressed- I need the cardio. Good luck. 🙂
I almost took my daughter to the American Girl store in Atlanta last Christmas. We were going to go with my sister and her daughter. It would have just been a 2 hour drive, but we couldn’t work it out with everything else going on. The next time we plan to be in the US my daughter will be 14. I don’t think she’ll be very interested.
New York City at Christmas time sounds like a good opportunity. I’m sure you will make lots of memories!
We are going to NYC in December too, just as a day trip. I love being in the city!
So glad that you are healing, and getting to go out and move!
Yes… me too… I never thought I’d get excited about WALKING but I’m really ready to get outside!
I can’t wait to take my daughter to the AG store this spring! And yes, we are just barely squeaking by that “I’m too old for that, mom.” phase. She’s 10.
I’m interested to see what you decide to do. I’m leaning towards DC because it’s closer to our home in Chesapeake, VA, but NYC sounds more exciting!
I go to NYC a lot for biz and my kids are dying to go. We’ll take the train and make it fun! I like DC too, but it’s farther from me. My older daughter is almost 12, and she is so not interested. We’re thinking of also taking in a Broadway show… hopefully she will be excited about that! Matilda is showing.