So I spoke to Dr. Miracle Man Hands last night.
He had my MRI results. First of all, I love that guy and I love how anything he says feels somehow less terrible when it comes out of his mouth. I mean look at him… a precious face!
Ah-hem.
“So you have three things going on in the hip” is how he started the conversation. And then he proceeded to tell me these three things. None of which I like, by the way.
….partially torn labrum (which explains the sudden hip pain on the Cursed Silver Comet Trail)
….edema (brusing) in the hip bones (which is usually a pre-cursor to a stress fracture)
….tendonosis (“you mean tendonitis?”… “no, tendonosis.”)
Oh. Crap.
So I caught my breath and listened to what came next.
“So, I know a few great orthopaedic surgeons….” [This was the part where I started saying, la la la la la la… Nope nope. Swim Bike Walk. Swim Bike Crawl. Swim Bike Roll. Swim Bike Rolling on the River… Big Wheels Keep on Turning… ]
So that’s where I am.
Then I called the orthopedist people, and they said things like, “Well, let’s see. We can see you on June 18th…”
—to which I start cackling.
“JUNE 18TH??? JUNE 18th??” More laughter.
Yeah, that’s timely. Just a few days before CDA…. yeah, let’s go get help then!!
So I’m laughing like a madwoman, and the woman then says, “Oh, good fortune! We have an opening on May 20th.”
And I just kept on cackling….
Crap.
Oh dear. Ohdear, ohdear, ohdear.
SO SORRY you got bad news, that you can’t see a surgeon sooner than May 20th. Totally sucks.
This is bad news, but Meredith you are a survivor. You will DIG IN and get it done, because you know that is what you need to do.
Prayers and positive thoughts for healing.
Oh no! I’m so sorry to hear this. I’ve been avidly reading about your Iron Man training. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
I am so sorry to hear this. Keep the bigger prize in mind – even if it means CDA has to be let go for this year. Agree with Stephanie – HEAL first so that you can have more than just 1 CDA because you are so worth being a repeater!
I completely agree that healing trumps pushing through the pain and completing a short term goal. I made that mistake in 2000 running a marathon and screwed up my IT band for YEARS. Not worth it. Get healthy and then focus on goals. BTW, my IT band finally healed after doing lots of weight training to strengthen my legs (weighted squats and lunges of many varieties were key along with cross training on an erg). Strong legs=happy legs=faster legs. Get well soon!
Meredith, I am so sorry to hear about your MRI results. Ask your pracitioner about Prolotherapy or PRP- Plasma Rich Protein injections. They are used very often in the athletic world, and is not banned by WADA. The closest office in the Atlanta region is Robert Shuman, MD of Physicians Choice in Marietta.
Oh rats! Sorry to see you have a pretty bad injury. Also, such a bummer right before your MAJOR event of the Ironman in Idaho! I agree with Stephanie to shoot for your long term health. That is WAY more worth it in the end so that you CAN and WILL be able to do an Ironman someday after you are healthy. Best wishes!
Well f*&%k. That is a total bummer. And though I agree with everyone that long term health trumps all, I still get that you’d want to race, because that’s what I’d want to do. And when non running/tri folks look at you like you’re crazy for acting as if someone has died just because you can’t run a race (if, indeed, you can’t), remember, that WE UNDERSTAND and you’re allowed to mope as much as you want. Also, if it makes you feel any better, a labral tear is the injury Lady Gaga just had surgery for. So, now you can tell people that two superstars (you and Lady Gaga) have had this injury!
crap. crap. crap.
The good news is you have answers, the hard part deciding what to do. Stephanie’s right, long term health needs to be a huge factor in what you consider doing. Will IM Cordelane let you transfer? I’ve got a friend doing IM Flordia in November. The good news is you are also in good physical health which means if you allow your body to do so, you will heal and this will be another step (side steps are okay and important too) in your journey toward your goals. Sometimes crap happens and the way you deal with it and move forward will make your victory so much deeper and sweeter. I have Crohn’s disease and I have learned that there are times when you CANNOT will the body forward. Believe me I’ve tried it, the mind is stronger than the body, but it is also only one part. Sometimes we are forced to accept what we can’t change. I hope you know we’re all pulling for you and that we believe in you. You’ll get there, even if it takes a little longer than planned. Have a good long cry, and keep us posted. Sending you a hug.
I am SO sorry! You are an inspiration and having just been hospitalized for a fluke knee infection on the actual day of my first marathon – I know how you must feel — SOOOOO mad and upset! I know you will make the right decision and that everything will work out for the best. (I am new to reading your blog and just got your AWESOME book, plus a copy for a friend. I started researching tri because of a running injury and have now added biking to my running and swimming and hope to do a triathlon soon.) You are a stud – remember that!!!!
Regarding Prolotherapy, I have had it on a sternoclavicilar joint grade 3 separation> Amazing!
PRP and prolotherapy are what helped my 2 + year knee problem that started when I pushed through terrible pain to finish a race. Its a series of injections done by an experienced MD. You might be able to avoid the surgery 🙂
I feel your pain–sort of. I was hit by a snowboarder while skiing in March and tore my ACL. As I want to return to all things triathlon, I chose to have surgery to repair it. Painful process, and I’m 3 weeks out now. It was an injury completely out of my control, but still I need to heal. My triathlon season is over for 2013. I can’t start running for several months. I have been through all the stages: denial, anger, acceptance, and now…healing. Think about the rest of your active life. If the full ironman must wait, than wait it must. It’s not a failure, just a bump in the road.
I’m totally feeling your pain, fear, anxiety and everything else!! I had some pain in my leg, I ran through it. The pain just got worse and worse until one day on a 6 mile run I HAD to stop. 3 doctors told me I had ITband issues, sciatica issues and one said “you know Heather not everyone can be a triathlete”! Finally I saw my own Dr. miracle Man Hands who within 5 minutes knew I had a stress fracture in my femur! 1 M.R.I. Later and his results were proven, 8 weeks before my first 70.3!! I did not run leading to that race and still finished the run portion in 2:56 minutes :), slow yes but I made it to that finish line!! It’s frustrating, scary and mentally tough to get through the days with your deadline looming over your head, I get it! My first Ironman is in 5 months (lake Tahoe), I still have to wait 1 more week before I can start to run again! You inspire me! You help me remember those days when I don’t want to put down one more mile to “just keep moving forward”! I may not be fast but I will cross that finish line, and you will be one of the voices in my head motivating me!!! 140.6 is not for the faint of heart! #cantstop #neverquit #ironstong
Crappy crap crap! That is tough news. If you can’t go for Ironman CDA (which it sounds like you probably shouldn’t) I think the silver lining for swim bike mom fans like me is that means we will just get continue to follow your thoughts and your journey even longer, learning from each other along the way, as your quest for an Ironman finish gets pushed back to another time down the road. Maybe the next one you sign up for will be the impetus for me (and others) to finally take the plunge, join you, and go for our first as well! You are strong, you are inspiring, and your journey has been all too real and familiar for so many of us. Well done, hang in there, and keep moving forward.