A Week of Appointments

Three appointments this week - one with our family therapist, one with my orthopedist, and one with my physical therapist.

Here's the lowdown:

Family therapy - I finally feel like we've found someone we're going to want to continue to work with, and someone who's going to truly help us. This was only our second appointment, but there was an a-ha moment - a revelation by Scott and I combined with a great suggestion from the therapist - and that moment solidified for me that we're on a good path here.

The a-ha moment was us realizing that one of the things we have yet to figure out is whether or not we're expecting too much from Gabe. So much of our frustration with him stems from the fact that he doesn't do things that we feel like an almost-10-year-old kid should be able to do (simple stuff, like getting ready for school without us supervising him). But it occurred to me as we sat there and talked that maybe he truly isn't capable of that.

One thing he is very capable of is being an enthusiastic fan. This is him cheering his heart out during a URI football game last weekend. He and Carmine both screamed and clapped the whole time (Carmine's cheer of choice was "DO IT!!!!" which all of the people seated near us got a big kick out of).

And if that's the case, then our tactics have to change completely. Rewards and consequences are irrelevant if he simply isn't able to do what we expect him to be able to do. And there is the very real possibility that we need to accept that we just cannot send him upstairs to get ready on his own without having to go up shortly after to redirect him from whatever is the distraction of the moment and keep him on task.

It's exhausting and frustrating to have to do that, but I really do feel like maybe if we have the mindset that that's just the way it is, and no amount of rewarding him or punishing him is going to change it, then maybe it won't feel quite so draining.

Our attitude and our outlook and our approach to all of this is key to keeping things as harmonious as possible, and it feels good to be focusing on that, rather than on trying to fix things that aren't really fixable.

Orthopedist - No Xrays were done, but I don't think there would have been any point in that anyway, since stress fractures rarely show up on xray. The diagnosis is - one heck of a case of medial tibial stress syndrome - or, as I referred to it on Facebook, wicked bad shin splints.  Pretty much what I figured, and I had already booked my appointment for PT, fully anticipating that that would be the recommendation.

Carmine accompanied me to the appointment, and he was quite a hit, chatting it up with all the doctors and nurses. I have never in my life seen a kid less shy than he is. My doctor's appointments are going to be very boring (and quiet) when he starts going to school all day.

Physical Therapy - I absolutely adore my physical therapist. She has worked magic on all of my injuries, and I trust her implicitly. That being said, it had been a long time since I had been there, and I was kind of bummed to have to be walking through that door again.

We did the initial evaluation of the injury, which Carmine assisted with (best helper ever), and got right to work with the laser treatments and massage. The area is still very sore to the touch, and I know if I tried to run, it would hurt.

So even though I asked her opinion about whether or not I should take another week off, I knew what the answer would be. I want to get over this as quickly as possible, and the best way to do that is by not aggravating it further, so it'll be another weekend without a long run.

Carmine provided plenty of entertainment during the appointment, though, and as he 'helped' with the massage, he proclaimed "and now you can run again!"  Smart kid - already knows what his mom wants to hear.

Despite not being able to run, I'm wiped out and sore. I am not the kind of person who wallows and gets lazy when I'm injured - I use the time to throw myself into other types of workouts, and this week that's meant lots of gym cardio and tons of weight lifting. I'm so glad, and so thankful, that I don't mind spending time at the gym. I know for lots of people, it's akin to torture, but I have no problem with it, and it's been such a blessing to have that outlet.

I'll be back in PT twice next week, and then will try out a short test run to see if things have improved enough for me to gradually start running again. Hopefully they will have. I have ten weeks 'til Boston training is scheduled to start, so I have some wiggle room, but I don't want to use up too much of it!

Comments

[Nicole]

Sorry that you are back in PT, but really, this is all good news.

Sounds like a great therapist and a bright future with her. You will find what works and it will al be ok.

Hang in there with PT, it sucks but we both know how good it will be. You will be back before you know it, especially with such a good little helper in Carmine!

[Laura @ Mommy Run Fast]

What great news about the family therapist! Those aha moments are the best.
Ugh, I feel you on the injury... I somehow tweaked my ankle and just booked an appt for this week. Crossing my fingers that the marathon is not out!!