Thursday, May 5, 2011

We Will Call Him Tibbie...

Wow, what a rough few weeks I have had.  I had a strange pain in my lower left leg and I knew I needed to rest.  So rest I did.  A few days later I ran and it did not hurt while I was running at all.  Perfect, the rest worked.  Um, wrong.  I woke up the next morning and my leg was sore when I walked.  I knew something was not right.  I did what any good runner can do, I rested, iced, and popped Advil like candy.  It was still sore a few days later. 

So I did what any obsessive, compulsive marathon runner does, I started Googling my symptoms.  Well, I knew it was not good when TIBIAL STRESS FRACTURE seemed to fit all of my symptoms.  I made an appointment to go to the doctor.  Luckily, I got in the same day.  The doctor did an x-ray, which showed nothing.  He felt around with all of the muscles and I had no pain.  He could find the "hot" spot, and yikes, it would hurt when he would press down.  He suspected a stress fracture.  I did too.

I had an MRI, which I thought was so cool that a machine can do that.  I went in for my results today and well, Tibbie is not fractured.  An answered prayer.  I did have the beginning stages of a stress fracture, meaning, if I had not stopped running right away, I would have ended up with a fracture.  Thank goodness I knew something was wrong. 

What does this mean?  Well, no running for six weeks.  You might think I am handling this well, but trust me, I have cried several times.  I am planning on using it as a good time to swim and ride my bike.  I have been wanting to train for a triathlon and this might be my starting point.  I ordered a lap swimming appropriate swim suit (I know, I am surprised too that the push-up Victoria's Secret swim suits I wear are not suitable for swimming laps). It should be here tomorrow.  Monday is D Day, when I tuck my tail and head to the pool!

5 comments:

Wendy said...

Boo! So sorry, Keri. I'm glad you listened to your body, and didn't continue. That's a good reminder for me to do the same. That can be hard.

I hope the 6 weeks goes quickly, and you enjoy swimming and biking!

Heather said...

Oh Keri - I am so sorry :( I know this must be really upsetting for you! Hoping you are able to find some other ways to exercise while "Tibbie" heals up! You have conquered a broken foot in the past & I know you will get through this also ;)

Hugs,
HT

Tara said...

Well shit. I'm so glad that you stopped when you did, cuz stress fractures = NO FUN. Welcome to the world of the injured, I'm sure you don't wanna be here, but like you said, you can work on your swimming for your triathlon!

Take care of yourself and you'll be back to running in no time girl!

The CilleyGirl said...

I feel your pain -- literally! I had the same round of problems you did, got squeezed in today to see the doctor and the x-rays show a suspicious spot so now it's off to the orthopedist on Monday for confirmation of the diagnosis of a tibial stress fracture. I shall call him Tibbie Too.

Annette@(running)In the Right Direction said...

Hello. I'm a new follower...I've been writing about my recovery from the same thing! Except my "almost stress fracture" was in my pubic bone. They saw so much inflammation that they said I needed to also stay off of it for six weeks. It definitely was hard for me too but I did as you are doing and forced myself to swim and bike more. I just started back this week...not completely pain free but the doctor said it was okay. Good luck ...I look forward to reading how you do!