Do you remember that movie where Tom Hanks was stranded on a island?

It is official. I am bedridden. It's a sciatica (aka boring yet painful) thing. I do have a rolling stool that affords me the dignity of pushing myself to the bathroom when nature calls since my right leg has gone gimpy. I am so grateful for that stool.

About the movie. I feel like my injury is like being stranded on an island. In the movie Tom Hanks starts talking to a volleyball for company. The volleyball's name was Wilson. My life has turned into that except there is no volleyball.

I guess Blogger is my Wilson.

Sciatica! Never heard of it, but I know what it is now.

Can you believe my leg pain has nothing to do with my legs? It has everything to do with my spinal injury from the car accident--AND that is such a relief.

Yes, it's a bummer to know that my accident from over three years ago is still affecting me today, but I'm SO RELIEVED that I don't have a bad back and a screwed up knee or leg.

Basically, there is a nerve called the sciatic nerve that runs from near the base of my spine and all the way down the legs. The sciatica is what they call the symptoms that I have been feeling. Basically, from what my understanding is, my old injury that cause a protrusion in my L5 S1 part of my spine has kind of been aggravated by my Arnis training and now whatever it is that I did has moved something or done something that is pinching this nerve and causing all this weird muscle spasms and odd pain.
Basically I have to lay flat on my back and try not to move too much. Plus icing, heating, b12 shots and some medication to take down the swelling and inhibit the pain.

THE GOOD NEWS is that I don't have to postpone my return to the US. The bad news is I have to give up my Arnis training. I am very grateful to have learned what I have learned and look forward to maybe being strong enough one day to do it again.

I DID however last six whole weeks. And now that I know more about this sciatic nerve thing it's really useful. I even can remember when it started acting up. The thing is it felt more like a tight muscle and it really didn't hurt at first. Just the occasional spasm. Now I know that I will STOP exercising whenever I feel that.

Not that I will be able to start any big exercise programs soon. I have a six week minimum rest period from my doctor.

After that, I'll really just focus on the back exercises my physical therapist gave me. I'm going to start watching my diet BIG TIME now.

If I can lose just 30 lbs, it will help my back and ability to participate in physical activity tremendously. And this pain, and immobility will definitely be the motivating factor.

I am grateful for this time, learning new stuff, and for having the guts to try something different. I won't be able to make a dramatic transformation like many of my online friends, but I can take small steps (well figuratively at this point) toward improving my health.

Today it's actually not getting out of bed much. But I'm also going to eat no junk food or fried foods or sweets today. This back thing is temporary. It's not even bad like it was after the accident. I AM VERY GRATEFUL for this and my wonderful doctor.

Plus, I found an awesome partner for my business. Look what the neat greeting card widget they gave me for My Thank You Site.


My Gratitude List
1) My doctor
2) My Mom
3) Internet
4) Laptop (I can be in bed and barely move)
5) My online business (Imagine if I had a boss and paperwork mounting. Uck.)
6) Medication
7) Inexpensive nurse to give b12 shot daily
8) Josie our house girl
9) hot towel and ice compresses
10) Greeting Card Universe

Still sidelined, still grateful, and a little worried

Yikes it's been over a week and my pain has increased and my ability to put any weight on my right leg is gone. Wish me luck. I'm going to the doctor, which is no small feat. My Mom has found a friend with a car (I cannot step into a pedicab) and another friend to help carry me. A doctor's office with a door very close to the street. I really hope they'll just brace it to keep it from moving to much, give me some crutches, and say, "You'll be fine in under two weeks. No need to worry about the 23 1/2 hour flight back to the US in four weeks with luggage and a changeover in Singapore. You'll be walking in no time."

It could totally play out that way, right?

Gratitude List
1) This laptop (I'd be so bored out of my mind w/o it)
2) Alaxa OTC pain medication
3) MY MOM
4) My Mom's friend w/ a car
5) My Mom's friend who has agreed to help carry me
6) Exchange rate making doctor visit affordable
7) My stress-free schedule (Imagine if I was in the States and had to sweat going to work every day. Man, I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT)
8) this little rolling stool (If I'm really careful I can wheel myself around.)
9) pillows, comfy comfy pillows
10) warm baths

Major Ouchies - Injury Setback

I've been doing pretty good on my eating and Arnis training until last Wednesday. During the warm-up we were doing the side to side lungy type of things after doing some squats and bam--I got this really weird spasm feeling. I couldn't even bend down to sit. I just sort of stretched. I couldn't sleep barely and it only got worse on Thursday morning. I'm feeling a bit better today, but I can only hobble around the house VERY slowly. Major bummer!

I've been making great progress writing and working on my website.

I've put up the following NEW pages:

Destination Wedding Thank Yous

Write a Thank You Card

Free Ecards for Any Occasions

Thank You Greeting Card Best Buys

I'm leaving the Philippines on October 30th. I'm very excited to go home and see my sister and all my friends. I think I'm feeling a little homesick.

Gratitude List
1) HansonEllis
2) Ice (for my sore muscles)
3) Bracelet from Briana
4) Plane ticket home
5) Sitesell
6) Galison Mudpuppy Cards
7) fruit cocktail
8) candles
9) pasteurization
10) running water

It's Official I'm leaving October 29th!

I have just little over six weeks left here in the Philippines. I am very sad to only have six weeks of Arnis training left, and only six weeks of complete freedom to write and spend my time exactly as I choose. I've been writing and working on my website. I added a bunch of inspirational quote pages, too:

Thank You and Gratitude Quotes

My eating has been surprisingly even, but since it's rainy season my Arnis lessons have been infrequent. Plus, when I write, I totally drink tons of coffee and diet coke. Yikes! It's just there is SO MUCH to do. I can't wait to go home. My meditation, reading, water intake, and exercise practice is not as strong as it was. My writing and business has been going like gangbusters. BALANCE, is the name of the game. So I'll try to do a little bit each day.

Gratitude List
1) Eva Airlines
2) Peanut Butter
3) Mango Shakes
4) La Cavitena
5) CJ
6) Personalization Mall
7) Gourmet Basket a Month Club
8) Chocolate
9) Hair conditioner
10) New Alexa Rating for my website: 667,950!