Hey Everybody,
Spent some time thinking about accountability this past week and decided, if I state my weekly goals, I should probably update on my progress.
So here it is! Week one progress update.
My goals for the week starting Thursday Oct 1, 2020 were to:
Goal: Write and post two blogs in October.
Target: Write and post a blog on October 1. Goal accomplished – Thinking commenced on subject of blog post 2.
Goal: Lose the COVID weight plus the twenty pounds of pre COVID weight gain.
Target: Lose one pound this week. Goal accomplished. Lost 1.4 pounds – current weight 196 pounds. Yes! You read that right. More on the stigma associated with obesity and chronic pain to come.
Goal: Repair the damaged tooth that is ripping the shit out of my tongue.
Target: Make a dentist appointment this week. Goal accomplished. Dentist appointment was on Oct 7. My tongue is still shredded, hoping that resolves this week.
Goal: Reduce the physical pain I’m in.
Target: Eliminate bread from diet. Goal partially accomplished. I broke down and had two crumpets yesterday. (Roy made French toast with them – they smelled so good!)
Goal: Work towards the completion of the current work in progress.
Target: Write one to five pages in one week. Goal accomplished. Seven pages completed. YAY!
SUCCESS!
Establishing small doable targets works for me, but accountability (to someone other than myself) is key.
So, I’m doin’ it again.
Here are my goals for the next week.
Goal: Increase physical fitness activities.
Target 1: Do one 20 – 30 min cardio session (bike or treadmill).
Target 2: Do one yoga/mindfulness session (Lyse and Diane shared links with the group).
Goal: Prepare gardens for winter.
Target: Clean out two garden beds before Monday.
Goal: Reduce the physical pain I’m in.
Target 1: Move into modified Keto diet (no bread, no sugar).
Target 2: Reduce Diet Coke consumption to no more than 3 cans for the week.
Goal: Work towards the completion of the current work in progress.
Target: Write one to five pages this week.
Goal: Lose the COVID weight plus the twenty pounds of pre COVID weight gain.
Target: Lose one pound this week.
Totally doable! Will let you know how I make out with an accountability update next week (also a goal).
Shoulder X-ray/Ultrasound Update:
Since I’m here, I thought I’d give you an update of the results of my x-ray/ultrasound appointment.
As you know, I went to my appointment fully expecting to be disappointed in the negative—we don’t see anything wrong—results. Well, that didn’t happen. The ultrasound technician found “a large chunk of calcium that must be really painful.”
Uh…say what? Calcium? I didn’t ask for more information, and she didn’t volunteer any because technicians generally aren’t allowed to offer their opinions. So, I went home and Googled shoulder calcium.
It’s a thing. Not a good thing. Specifically, it’s called Calcific Tendonitis.
Again…say what?
Here’s what I learned:
Calcific tendonitis (also known as tendinopathy) is caused by a build up of calcium in the tendons. From what I read, there are several theories as to why calcium may develop inside a tendon, but the key seems to be the interruption of the normal repair process leading to the forming of calcium crystals.
While most commonly found in the shoulders, calcific tendonitis can also appear in the elbows, hands, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. The calcium build up causes a reaction with other muscle tissues in the tendons causing varying degrees of pain and assorted mobility issues.
Symptoms—pain and stiffness—can occur at anytime but are often worse at night disrupting sleep and in the early morning making movement difficult.
Caucasian women between 30 and 65 years old are most affected, and people with disorders like diabetes, hypothyroidism, autoimmune diseases (like arthritis), and metabolic disorders that also cause kidney stones, gallstones, and gout are at higher risk of developing calcific tendonitis. (Helloooo, that’s me.)
Current evidence suggest calcium build up may stem from:
- Genetic predisposition
- Abnormal cell growth
- Abnormal thyroid gland activity
- Bodily production of anti-inflammatory agents
- Metabolic diseases
Okay, I don’t want calcific tendonitis, maybe the technician was wrong. Nope. For once, the reports have been added to my online medical file fast, and the doctor reviewing the ultrasound has confirmed the diagnosis.
Calcific tendonitis it is.
Son-of-a-bitch.
So? What’s next? How do we treat this shit? What’s the plan?
Bottom line. Don’t know yet. Need to have a conversation with my doctor.
New goal: Figure out what a calcific tendonitis diagnosis means for me.
Target: Call to make a follow up doctor appointment.
That’s it for now! If you have any tips and tricks for managing calcific tendonitis please share!
Take care, and Happy Thanksgiving to those celebrating this weekend.
Until the next blog—peace out pain sufferers.
Current pain level 6/10.
Great Job! Success creates success so those small goals are fantastic steps. Can’t wait to read more. Good luck with the Dr. and hopefully finding a treatment plan for the new finding!
Thanks Diane!
Awwww! Hopeful the doc has more info for you.
So, with the colder weather I am finding my pain increasing. And because of this I am opting to skip my walks 😢 I will be talking to my doc about Rhys Syndrome as well. Must do research on that and see if there is some kind of blood test or something for it.
I need my walks for my mental and physical health so, my goal is to walk by Sunday… 😉
Still doing Yoga and Meditation and haven’t skipped a day in two weeks! Yay me!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Everyone!
I have a lot to be grateful for…
I am in a good place mentally (that was a long road) and physically
I have a wonderful family and support network
And…
My legs still get me where I want to go! Bonus!!!!
Thanks Lyse.
I feel your cold weather pain! Looking forward to trying your standup yoga routine. Bundle up for your walk! You can do it!
Sorry silly me … meant Raynaud’s disease.. 🙄
Bummer on the “Calcific tendonitis”, girlfriend! 😔 Heard that Chef Roy had a new speciality – crumpet French toast!! Gonna have to try that (best he make it for me!?) Keep on trucking girl. You are so brave! ❤️
Thanks, Suzanne! Roy can make you all the crumpet French toast you want! Brave? LOL. Yeah posting my weight took guts!!!
Dear (Cousin) Edith; hello from your uncle Bryan’s oldest, Brenda. I have enjoyed reading your blog, interesting and entertaining, thank you for that. I wish you well in your road to recovery. Enjoy each day, each hour, each moment. Happy Thanksgiving, best to you and yours…
Thanks Brenda!
Welcome to the tribe. Happy you found some bits entertaining. Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving as well!
Hello Diane…I’m one of your aunties…I also suffer from depression, have for most of my life…have osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, get needles for B-12 , OPMD etc..
In constant pain…can not really do much..shopping is practical non existent as walking is very difficult…
I pray that you get some relief soon
Leonne💕