I'm the Queen . . .

. . . of the MRI.

I've just had my fourth one in 2 years. I fell down some stairs on Sunday; twisted my right knee. My problem knee, unfortunately. Yikes. That's what I get for misjudging the stair landing. (I scared the folks in the furniture store purty good, too.)

Oh, well. My doc says it'll get better fast (it's already somewhat better) but there's a nasty bone chip in the joint that may need to come out. It's been there a while; we saw it on my previous knee MRI, about 8 months ago. It is probably what's responsible for the catch/click I've been getting in that knee with increasing frequency. I figure my tumble just got me into the doc's office a bit sooner.

So. Now I've got a limp, plus the inability to go up and down stairs, other than one at a time. That really blows . . . up my exercise plan for the rest of the year. Yep. Sure does.

And it's the holiday season. Cookies, candy, drinks galore. Way to go, Deb. Good job.

This may shock you, but I actually had about a 4-hour pity party. Monday night, I worked late to make up for going to the doc and getting the MRI in the afternoon. And I was feeling a touch sorry for myself, so I cashed in some chips. Potato chips, that is. Got home, cashed in a few more . . . tortilla chips, this time. Oh, and there were some cheeze nips in there somewhere, too. And a skim cherry mocha. Grande size.

But I journaled all of it. And the damage wasn't too bad. About 1000 calories more than I had planned to eat. (Yes, I weighed the tortilla chips. Two ounces.)

But, now the pity party's over; the fun can't last forever if I want to stay in Slimville. My knee is getting better. I know from experience that I can get through an exercise-free period with no weight gain.* So here's what I'm doing . . .

• I'm watching my intake very closely. I behaved myself pretty well yesterday at hubby's office Christmas party. One glass of wine, about 5 - 6 teeny appetizers, and a sampling of the best-looking desserts. (There were some sort of cream cheese brownies that had liqueur in them. Oh, my.) I ended the day pretty even.
• I actually can exercise, some. I think I can do a treadmill, just walking. I walk OK now; I just can't go really fast, or go downhill. I also can do most of my weight routine. Many lower-body machines can accommodate one-legged exercises. Plus, I can do core and upper body with no problem. I just have to kick my butt out the door and go do it.
• I'm going to be careful during Christmas and our little mini-vacation afterward. I'll have the opportunity to have some great Tex-Mex and New Mex . . . I'm going to watch portion size carefully. I hope I can do a bit more walking, and maybe some hiking, by then.

If I'm not nearly 100% by early January, I'm going back to the doc for bone chip removal.

I'm still really, really bummed that I probably won't be able to bike this weekend, when the temps get up into the 50s. I've been off my bike since November 27 (I don't bike in snow or temps below 40). But I'm trying not to be too hard on myself. It could have been worse. I could have torn a tendon or ligament. "No damage" is the best result I could have had.

Been here before, know what to do. Now I'm doin' it.

* * * * *

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*I ruptured a lumbar disc in March 2004. Had surgery 6 weeks later. Lost 5 lbs during that 6 weeks, a stretch of time that included 12 days of prednisone. All I did was pay careful attention to portion size.

Comments

[Valerie Lancaster]

I have been reading your site for some time with no posts. I am on WW as well and 20 pds from my goal and really enjoying the journey. You absolutely have a great attitude. I tore my ligament in April of this year--left knee and had to have surgery and it took a long long time to really get back to good exercise, but not that it's ok, like you I am careful with the knee and devoted to my exercise. I know you like biking but I am weights and running. Have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS and remember to really enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Val.

[Brenda]

Deb, your thoughts have always helped me...I hope my good wishes get to you. Have a Merry Christmas. I'm rooting for you!
Brenda (brenHM from the WW boards)

[Debbie]

Ladies, thanks. :-) The knee is probaby 90+% better, except for the clicking. That will probably have to be fixed. I can lift, walk, and use the elliptical. No biking yet . . .

[Denise]

Hi... Glad that you are doing well. I dislocated my knee cap last March and didn't gain... despite dire predictions from others who had been injured and gained 20 lbs...!

[Debbie]

Thanks. Things have gotten worse. The knee is better, not quite 100%. But I wrenched my back, quite severely. I'm on Aleve and muscle relaxants, but can barely walk. Ugh. I know it will get better, but it sure does hurt my pride . . . I thought I'd never get one of these episodes again . . .