Eight Months Later... !

... and my life is much, much better than it was at this time in 2016. Let me count the ways:

(1) I have graduated from prolotherapy. My last treatment was in February, and I last went in to see Dr. Bell in May. She is thrilled by my progress, and did some actual OMT adjustments during the visit in May. I'll see her again at the end of August for a check-in/possible tune-up, but - the worst is behind me, as far as prolo goes. I can't say that I miss the injections (and subsequent pain), but I would do it all over again if I had to!

(2) I have graduated from physical therapy. My last day was in late January, complete with balloons and happy tears. I am going in once a week now, but for nothing related to my SI/pubic symphysis. We are working on strengthening my calves and my feet! Now that I am up and about much, much more, my feet/lower legs (which have always been rather small/weak: I partially torn an Achilles tendon three years ago, and have had multiple stress fractures in my metatarsals) need to get pumped ::clap clap:: UP! It's been nice to reconnect with my PT, too. She is around my age, and has a daughter who is just a bit older than R, so we have grown close.

(3) I am regularly doing cardio (elliptical, stationary bike, and brisk walks) 4-5 times a week, and am also keeping up with my core/stabilizing exercises. It feels REALLY GOOD to be getting stronger and fitter again. I have also been given the green light to pick up a field hockey stick again, wahoo! Not necessarily for hardcore scrimmaging, but I should be able to warm up the high school goalkeepers I coach, and rip some shots on goal... just for fun. :)

(4) My family is doing well. Hubby is muuuuch happier without his gallbladder, and R is laughing, babbling, eating, playing, and growing happily. Even our two cats are at peace with the current set-up! I'm sure there are more challenges ahead (because what is Life without them?!), but I feel ready. With everything we've been through since R's birth, and how we've responded, I'm ready to roll. As always -

Stay Thankful!

Back To Work, New PT, Starting Prolotherapy, Etc.

So, it's been almost ::gulp:: two months since I last wrote. Needless to say, a LOT has happened since then. Here we goooooo -

* I went back to work on August 30 (I'm a middle school Spanish teacher). I hadn't been working since maternity leave started in the first week of February. So far, being back in the classroom has been really great for my mental health - it turns out that I had missed teaching tremendously. Even with my physical limitations, I can basically be my "old self" when I'm in teacher-mode. My coworkers and my students have all been very understanding and supportive, too - so good. I'm taking on a new role as part of my building's Leadership Committee, and have new classroom to boot - GOOD changes.

* My work with my OMT is going well so far. She and her wife have a son who's about a month and change younger than R, so she *gets* what my situation is, and how much of a struggle my injuries entail. I've seen her twice thus far, once for an initial consult, and just over a week ago for my first round of prolotherapy (also known as regenerative injection therapy). Prolotherapy (from here on out, I will refer to it as prolo) has been around since the 1930s, but isn't necessarily considered "common" - I had never heard of it before. You can read more about prolo here (http://www.prolotherapy.com/), but in nutshell, this is what prolo does: injections of saline and dextrose into the ligaments around my damaged joints (primarily my PS and my left SI) are promoting healing. The injections purposefully cause inflammation in these areas, and are prompting my body to restart the healing process. After a few rounds of prolo, I should feel a significant decrease in pain. After that starts happening, I'll be able to start more manipulation work with my OMT, which should jump-start my mobility gains. For about 6-7 days post-prolo,I was REALLY sore (as prescribed). I took Tylenol (but no anti-inflammatories!) for about a week to help myself along. For the first time, pain IS gain, as far as my recovery is concerned. Time will tell how successful OMT/prolo will be for me. I'm feeling cautiously optimistic.

* Work with my new PT is also off to a great start. We are about three weeks into working together. She's also a new mom (her daughter is 18 months old), and, as with my OMT, we can relate on many levels. She is a pelvic PT, and does have experience working with patients recovering from PSD/PGP. We meet twice to once a week, and I'm doing exercises independently at home every day. The big focus has been core work. At our first meeting/after her first examination of me, she informed me that I have two areas of diastis recti (who knew?!). Nothing crazy, but - enough of a separation that it's been affecting the ability of my core to strengthen. So, we shall continue to work on that! Slow progress, but - progress.

* I have started to use the stationary bike again! I am terrified of biking on the road, but I have always loved a good sweat session on my Airdyne stationary bike (a birthday gift to myself when I turned 25). For the past three weeks, I have been slowly getting reacquainted with it: I started with 4 minutes total, and have cautiously added minutes. I'm now up to 15 minutes, and am trying to get in at least 4 rides a week. I feel zero SI pain when I bike, and my PS is only a wee bit sore afterward. I have the blessing of both PT and OMT to continue biking as my body tolerates it - wahoo! Since I was an avid athlete pre-baby/pre-injury, it is amaaaazing to be able to sweat even a little bit again. :)


OK, off to work - happy Hump Day.

Hello, and Welcome

This is my first ever blog, let alone blog post. My goal is to chronicle my postpartum experience, primarily with a ruptured pubic symphysis. I've found that there isn't a lot of information out there for inquiring (aka, freaking out!!) minds, so hopefully I can compile some here. I was inspired to start this blog in part by Rowena, a fellow blogger whose blog has been a source of both information and comfort for me (check her out: http://pubicsymphysis.blogspot.com/).


I'm 8 weeks postpartum as of today, and have an appointment with an orthopedic trauma surgeon this afternoon. Hopefully we'll make a plan of attack... stay tuned.


Here are some fast facts about me, outside of my PS issues:


* I live in the state of Maine, USA - our motto is "The Way Life Should Be" for a reason!

* R is my son, and my first child - although his arrival prompted my PS rupture, he's honestly perfect. I'm a total goner for this kid.

* E is my husband - the love of my life, and a tremendous support throughout the last 2 months.

* The title of my blog is a line from the lullaby that we sing to R before bed each night. My dad used to sing it to my sisters and I, and his dad sang it to him. Somehow it seems like the right fit for this space.

* Stay Thankful is my life's motto. I have it inked on my right wrist.



All for now -