Aloha! An update from Carmen

[LealScott]

Aloha old timers and new guys. It's been a while since I posted so I thought I'd give you an update. Some of you might remember my landlord from hell. We moved! We actually moved into town because the commuting was just killing us. So this year has been all about finding a place, not easy, moving, hideous since we had only moved a year ago, purging, unpacking, getting settled, selling one car working.

We have a sane landlord, we love the new place, love a 10 minute commute, and life is good. My son and his wife and son moved back so I am loving having my 2.5 year old grandson to spoil.

Another change is my back. It was my horrible back that precipitated the surgery and weight loss and I was devastated to find that it did not help at all. If anything my back was actually worse if you can believe it. I switched jobs and, as a result, had to switch insurance and find all new doctors. My new doctor is just happens to specialize in muscular skeletal issues along with being a medical doctor. Guess what?

Everything every doctor and specialist said about my back was true. I did fracture it in the fall, I do have some disk problems (basically from aging) and I do have a disclocated tailbone. But it turns out that none of those issues are the reason for my six year pain-filled journey. It seems the problem is that when I fell my hip bone came out of the socket. My L5 has been compensating for the fact that the hip would not rotate and it was rotating instead resulting in the intense, stabbing pain. Yikes!

The doctor manipulated my hip bone into the socket and worked on the scar tissue that has built up over the years. My massage therapist will continue to try and break it down. I might need to go back and have it put in a couple of times since it might pop out again since it remembers being out.

Hopefully this is the end of the pain and, with hard work, I can strengthen my back and start living a fuller life and not worry about my back.

On the weight loss front, I got nothing to report other than I have not gained. With the new job I was unable to get to the pool to do the water aerobics. I am still walking 5 miles or so each day. I started Curves again last week now that I know it won't kill my back. I am hoping that exercise will help me lose the last 10 pounds. If so, great. If not, great. My blood work is excellent and that's what matters. Maybe this is my set point given the no thyroid thing.

For all of you newbies the surgery is worth it. Really. For all of you struggling, it's worth it.

Carmen

[erinja]

Wonderful news, Carmen! This reminds me of the saying - things happen for a reason. New job = new Doc = fix for your back. It sounds as if you have been rebuilding so many aspects of your life over the past year or so. I'm glad things are going well for you.

[pack89]

Oh Carmen!! That's wonderful news!! I am so happy things are coming around for you. Like Erin said, sometimes things happen for a reason, and this time, the reason is good!

[65fl]

Congratulations Carmen, I loved that area of the island. I used to live on the north shore when I was stationed at Schofield Barracks, but I'm sure that area has changed drastically in the last 30 years.