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The anti-climactic diagnosis

11. April 2017 · Write a comment · Categories: cross training, injury, Uncategorized · Tags: anti-climactic, biking, injured toe, injury, root beer floats

I’ve been so busy with work yesterday and today I’m just getting a chance to check in about my #ToeWoes.

So I went to my podiatrist yesterday to go over the MRI. We both agreed that the “small neuroma” that was found by the MRI is NOT the cause of my toe pain. I actually knew I had the potential of a neuroma in that toe about 15 years ago. I had been under the care of a podiatrist then but she didn’t do any diagnostic tests. She just made me some metatarsal pads and fitted me for custom orthotics. This was way before my running days. I was wearing boots/shoes way more than sneakers a lot and apparently they were too narrow. I was also in my kickboxing phase (where you are literally on the balls of your feet the entire class). And the pain built up over 6 months to a year. Anyway that hasn’t been an issue at all since.

So it was nice to see that the MRI showed it because that means I’ve been doing a great job of keeping it under control. That’s probably because I wear sneakers with lots of cushioning and a wide toe box about 80 percent of the time these days.

The MRI also confirmed there was some mild swelling (edema) which makes sense. It ruled out, stress fracture, plantar plate tear, bursitis and capsulitis. Joints were all good. Bones were all good.

Doc said he still feels strongly that because the lump had that bluish hue that this was most likely an injury to a vein or a tendon near a vein. He said it’s healing on it’s own and I definitely feel improvement with each day so he said let’s just keep waiting a few more weeks (AH that feels like forever!). But he feels pretty confident that time will heal whatever this is. So whatever it is and however long it causes me to be on the running sidelines is really not 100% clear.

I will definitely categorize this in the oddest injury I’ve ever had. And I’m going to assume that kicking that toe back in January started the trauma that led to the final injury when I wore my new sneakers for 2 runs back to back. PSA: Always lace up your new shoes to what’s comfortable for you and don’t leave them laced as they came. Funny how I ran feeling tingling and numbness but didn’t stop to adjust those laces.

After Saturday’s ride while Mr. SOTSS ran we both went for a ride on Sunday and then stopped for root beer floats on the way home. That was truly the perfect way to close out such a great weekend.

Speaking of biking, I’m going to head out shortly to get some fresh air and get some blood flowing.

In other news Duncan got groomed

Have a great week!

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Weekend update, MRI results and next steps

09. April 2017 · 4 comments · Categories: cross training, injury · Tags: biking, broken runner, cotton ball for neuroma, jelly beans, life hack, neuroma, teamwork

So let’s see…

Last post I was having a freak out about the possible outcomes of this toe situation. Thanks for your comments. I always appreciate knowing people understand the struggles of an injured runner 🙂 I saw this posted somewhere and thought it was appropriate and a beautiful notion as well…

It’s officially Spring as the April Showers and tree blossoms have emerged

I patiently waited until Friday morning to call to see if my MRI results were in. Duncan was a good distraction for the 48 hours I waited.

Sleeping with his squirrel and clearly not worried about my MRI results

When I called, the receptionist found my folder and said “yes, it says neuroma 2nd interspace….ok let’s make an appointment for you to come in and discuss treatment options”. So I made the appointment for tomorrow morning. So from what the receptionist said the MRI showed a neuroma. Of course I’ve done a ton of research online (clearly everything online is accurate no?) and kept ruling out neuroma for a few reasons: 1. I’ve read it’s not very common in the 2nd toe and usually found between 3rd and 4th toes. 2. Lumps are usually not present with neuromas and I have a lump. 3. I never felt pain in the ball of my foot by the metatarsals which is where neuromas tend to cause pain. It was always much further up the toe. 4. MRIs are not known to be good at showing them. Hmm. Hopefully there will be more details when I meet with the doctor tomorrow.

Simultaneous to getting the results I started to feel a lot less pain under the toe while trying to walk the last few days which I’m assuming is just because I’ve been so good at resting my foot that nature has been taking it’s course allowing things to settle and the acute pain has subsided. I still limp but it’s more out of fear I think, for rolling off the bad foot. This has been a huge mood booster though. I even vacuumed my house.

Also, yesterday I found a post on this running forum where a guy said he put cotton balls between his toes and it helped relieve the pain. So I tried it and AMAZINGLY it helped so much! I guess it reduces any compression of the nerve by the other toes.

GENIUS!

I’m hoping the doctor will be able to convince me that the MRI results are accurate. And I’m hoping that a cortisone shot might just be all that I need to calm this nerve down completely. I’ve got 3 weeks until the NJ Half and also my friend Barbara is getting married the night before the race so I’ll hopefully be able to wear heals as well.

So far my weekend has been awesome! Yesterday Mr. SOTSS ran 9 miles and I biked 10. Teamwork!

He said he ran faster knowing i was ahead of him and I enjoyed biking a little more knowing he was behind me

Happy non-runner!

After that we were able to walk the dogs around the neighborhood for 2 full miles! I haven’t been able to walk this far since the toe injury. I was so happy. And so were the pups.

Perfect Spring day

And then we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant for burritos.

Followed by a little latte and lounging life at Starbucks

And we topped off the night with some Louis CK and my favorite jelly beans.

Today, after taking the dogs for another walk (maybe I’ll make it 2 1/2 miles?) we’re going to go for a bike ride and make a stop at Stewarts for some root beer floats!

How has your weekend been going?

What’s new?

Have you ever discovered a life hack or remedy online that was genius?

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What if

05. April 2017 · 8 comments · Categories: injury, Uncategorized · Tags: bike riding, injured runner, injured toe, MRI

What if

What if the MRI doesn’t reveal anything

What if I don’t get answers

What if the MRI reveals that something is in need of repair surgically

What if I have to wear a boot

What if I need crutches

What if I gain too much weight from being less active

What if I can’t run again

What if I can’t run the New Jersey Half

What if I can’t wear heels to Barbara’s wedding

What if I can’t run the Brooklyn Half

Yep. You get the point. I’m feeling a lot of What ifs lately.

I had my MRI tonight. Results should be back in a couple of days.

I rode my bike on Saturday for 5 miles to see how that would feel and I rode again yesterday for 8 miles. It was ok. I got a kick out of these geese trying to cross at the cross walk. That sign really should be more inclusive! 🙂 I’m not loving the bike. I don’t have a bike rack and trying to get it into the trunk of my car is quite cumbersome. The handlebars actually crashed down on me and whacked me in my ear when I was putting the bike back after riding. I feel like I have to concentrate so much on the bike (I have terrible balance) that I don’t get to zone out like with running or walking. Once I find out what the deal is with my toe and how long I’ll be an injured runner I’ll have to make a plan for how to be active without the bike as my only option.

In other news, I ate an entire bag of Starburst jelly beans yesterday. #triggerfood

And I thought I couldn’t control myself with popcorn….

And of course a Duncan picture to wrap up this post #yourwelcome

What’s your trigger food?

What’s your latest “What if?”

Do you bike ride?

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toe update: 2 doctor visits and no answers yet

30. March 2017 · 2 comments · Categories: injury · Tags: injury, toe pain

Hello and happy humpday! I should be hiking with my hiking friends tonight but alas I’m still limping along and had to back out for the 2nd week in a row! #beingadramaqueen

Yesterday I went to my primary doc mostly just as protocol for me to have authorization to see the foot doctor today. She said the nodule under my toe was probably a ganglion cyst and that the foot doc would probably aspirate it. She said I shouldn’t worry about the bluish color, but I left there feeling quite unconvinced. After spending too much time looking at those type of cysts online, mine looked nothing like that. And I knew that the bluish color had to mean something.

Anyway, today I saw the foot doc. He pushed on the lump and I winced in agony it hurt so bad. He said it was definitely NOT a ganglion cyst as it wasn’t fluid filled. He immediate said I need to get an MRI to determine what it was. He felt the bluish color meant something vascular but wouldn’t say more. He also said “nothing to be worried about”. Although that really doesn’t comfort me for the time being because I’m still limping and now have to wait first for the authorization for my MRI to come through (I’m told Friday) and then I’ll have to make an appointment for the MRI.

This is all just too bizarre for me. I’m almost done with my pity party.

Going to try riding my bike tomorrow to “sweat out the small stuff”.

After two days of rain I decided I’d just limp around the park with Duncan after I came home from the foot doc.

we took it slow. he’s such a patient pup

Yesterday the poor thing was so bored that I took him to the pet store just to get him out of the house for a bit. So that’s my toe update. It still hurts, I’m still limping and feeling fairly frustrated. But it’s small potatoes right?

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The anti-climactic diagnosis