Dec 22, 2009

Chaviva's PSA: GET HEALTHY!

I'm a big fan of full-disclosure of the most random things here on this blog, so I thought I'd share with you a really entertaining (and sort of unfortunate) X-Ray I received today of my knees! I've been dealing with a certain amount of knee pain over the past two years after injuring myself in late January 2008 (read about it in this post), and I have been stubbornly not trying to take care of it. Walking up stairs, my knee makes the  most hideous and mind-blowing crackling noise -- like bones rubbing against bones in every which way -- and the pain I experience is always on a very high level. When I was in Israel, it was really bad, and the day-to-day ranges from no pain (like today when I sit around all day) to tons of pain (lots of stairs and long distances). So, after visiting with my new General Doctor last week, and her slapping me upside the head with my health woes (sleep, TMJ, stomach woes, knees, etc), I was referred to about six different physicians. One of them? An ortho person. So today, I went, and I found out my knees look like this:


A normal Right Knee?



Yes, those are my kneecaps. And yes, they're sitting WAY off to the side. They're meant to sit in those little grooves, not off to the side, hanging out in their own little bubble of stupidity. But I'm sort of like the opposite of a bow-legged person, I'm a knob-kneed person. The way to treat this? Lots and lots and lots (and LOTS) of physical therapy. Then more visits to the Ortho, and more physical therapy. Hopefully, someday, my knees will re-migrate to their designated posts. Maybe if I migrate to Israel they'll migrate to their little cozy knee spots.

At any rate, this has been one ridiculous medical day. The X-Rays topped off the day that was started by spending three hours in a doctor's office having blood drawn. I managed to fill nine vials all together with blood. I even got to drink this disgustingly sweet Orange Soda (OU kosher!) and then sit in a waiting room and wait. It was thrilling, just thrilling. Come Monday, I should know whether I have a thyroid issue, diabetes, and a host of other medical problems. Let's hope they all come out negative.

The point? You guys -- all of you -- whether you're feeling healthy or not, need to get your health issues in order. I take after my mother with my phobia of doctors. Why? Because if you go to the doctor, they'll tell you what's wrong with you, and then you'll have to pay for it to be fixed, and deal with the life-long affects of having to change the way you live, medicate, and more. That's a lot to take. So better live in ignorance, right? NOT. You have to set up your life so you know what your kids can expect -- look at it that way. The more you know, the more they know, the more your grandkids know. The more everyone can prepare for hearth disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. So if you haven't been in for a physical, just go. Deal with it. Suck it up. Make yourself healthy. Make 2010 the Year of Healthy Living! Lose some weight, work out, eat more fresh and colorful foods, and feel better about yourself.

If Chaviva can do it -- begrudgingly as all hell -- so can you. To motivate you, take another look at my unfortunately jacked-up knee caps. Then call your physician and get your tuches on the move to health!

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sorry for all the medical issues you have to deal with. my issues are a mile long too, and because of Canada's health care lack of service, I am waiting till I move to USA to start investigating, that way KoD's insurance will cover me for all tests I need, and the tests can happen swiftly. (9 month wait for MRI here..)

Refuah Shleimah....HUGS

Anonymous said...

Refuah Shlemah!!!

Hey wait a sec, are those UNCOVERED nees that I see, like totally uncovered :-) :-)

Mark
twitter.com/MarkSoFla

Anonymous said...

OMG Chavi showed her nees!! Being a girl, Mark, I didn't notice.

Mark, you are a riot!!

Suburban Sweetheart said...

OW! This looks terribly painful. Get yerself fixed! I've got some things to take care of, too - my dentist recently told me my acid reflux is so bad it's ruining my tooth enamel! Need to see a GI, I suppose... thanks for the reminder to get healthy.

Mottel said...

Refuah Shleima!

Anonymous said...

You know i'm with you on getting things sorted :)

I find that the attitude of the healthcare provider really makes a difference. When I dragged myself to the physiotherapist in agony over my herniated disc and twisty spine, he assessed me and then said very calmly, 'We can sort this out together, and you won't be in pain like this in a few weeks time.' That, my friend, really picked me up out of the misery I was in.

I really hope all the other things you have been tested for come out negative/clear - but if they don't they can also be fixed.

Refuah Shleima!

rachel

KosherAcademic said...

Ouch! Glad you are taking care of it Chavi, and reminding the rest of us to get our tuches in gear.

That being said, I just ordered a late Chanukah present (for myself) that I thought I'd share. It's called the Quantum Scale (http://quantumscale.com/) and good for us ladies who like to stay in denial. It is only good for 1 person, but it takes your initial weight, but doesn't tell you what it is! and then tells you if you have lost or gained based on that initial number. So there is no fear of the actual "weight" but only the motivation for getting it to say you've lost something. Here's hoping it helps :)

Daniel Saunders said...

I also wish you a refuah shelamah and I hope all your tests are OK.

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