Being Physically Tested

Remember that "we are human" post I did a little while ago? About being grateful for our bodies during good times and bad? Well, I'm being put to the test! 

About five weeks ago I started getting terrible knee pain. It was a new pain, not like my old pain. I figured it was just really bad patellar tendonitis so I started resting it. No running, no spinning, no cardio of any kind. No squatting, no anything that involves my right knee really. I have been icing and stretching for the past five weeks with no sign of improvement. Last week I went to the doctor and he gave me a 6 day anti-inflammatory steroid and told me that should really help the tendonitis if that was the problem. Well, I had no luck with that! I decided to get an MRI to see if there was anything going on. I mean, this pain is terrrrrible. It feels like a terrible injury, like a ruptured tendon every time I use it. But, of course, the MRI didn't show much besides a possible "fat pad impingement". So, after googling that for like a half hour, it definitely sounds like what is going on with my knee. Most websites say treatment of rest, ice, and exercises should help it, and if not, partial or complete surgical removal of the pad (which is stuck in between my leg bones being pinched). I made an appointment with the surgeon I had for my last knee problem for when we get back from North Carolina and we will see what he says! I'm hoping he can give me more tips for healing it on my own. 

I just want this pain gone. It is awful. I can't straighten my leg, go up or down stairs, put my shoes on, or put any weight on a bent knee without pain. It's been five weeks and I am OOOOOOVVVVER it.  I still go to the gym and lift arms and abs, I try to swim often, and try not to think about what I am missing out on. It's hard to me to "feel skinny" and "healthy" without cardio. Even though I miss Zumba, running, and kickboxing like crazy, I want to be smart and do what is best for my body. Although, I am having a hard time with the fact that we are going to a beach house for a week with J's family in NC and I won't be able to do all the fun stuff we do. I won't be able to play volleyball or headball, ride bikes, or go on runs. It seriously will be really hard for me to watch everyone play. Obviously it will still be an amazing trip...just different! 

Buuuuuut, like I talked about in that post, I am trying to be optimistic and hopeful. I think I pushed myself too hard with the runs and such before. I may need to take it easier when I am back to my healthy and strong self. I can't wait until that day though… :) 

Here's to being grateful for the bodies we have, even when they don't work exactly how we want them to or are causing us pain. Stomach issues and knee issues have been a big challenge in my life and are something I think I will always have to deal with. But I know that if I trust in the Lord and have faith and do what I can do, everything will always work out.