Archive of ‘Medical’ category

Doctor’s Orders, Ferrero Chocolate Review and a Wrinkly Dress

The old knee pain, the one that happens on the outside of my left knee when I go down stairs, down hills and run: NOT patella femoral syndrome, but likely Iliotibial Band Syndrome. My research shows this is quite possibly the cause of my upper, outside of the right thigh pain as well, as the iliotibial band reaches all the way to the hip. I forgot to mention that pain to the doctor but I will next week. I told him that I always wear knee sleeves when working out and he said that is great, I am doing the right thing.

The new knee pain, more in the middle of my left knee: The doctor is concerned that it is a tear. I am going for an MRI on Monday. Oy.

My left shoulder pain: Since I already had an MRI that showed bone marrow edema, there is nothing I can do about it besides physical therapy if I want. I don’t want.

The doctor was shocked when I told him I have bone marrow edema when I didn’t fall or experience any trauma at all. It is weird.

Doctor’s orders: 
 – Ice knee twice a day
– Take Naproxen twice a day, every day, for 10 days
– Get MRI on Monday and go back to see him on Thursday
– As far as exercise –  Let the pain be my guide. Do whatever I want until it hurts. When the pain starts, it is time to stop.

This will call for some very short workouts.

Married to the Sea

In better news, CHOCOLATE!

When I was at the NYC Blogger Cocktail Event, A Woman’s Infinite Confidence, I spoke to someone from a company whose products I love. We got to talking and she offered to send me some samples!

The company is none other than Ferrero  — the makers of one of my all time favorite treats, Rochers! I absolute ADORE any combination that includes chocolate & hazelnut. This is why you can never go wrong getting me Rochers, Perugina Baci, and hazelnut Five Star Bar.

I was beyond thrilled to receive this package in the mail from Ferrero!

Ferrero Chocolates

Isn’t that a great picture! My pictures never look so good — I couldn’t wait to post this! She also sent a little note with information on Rondnoirs, their new dark chocolate variety! Rondnoirs were clearly the star of this party. And they would make a fantastic Mother’s Day gift — they have only one weight watchers point per piece! Four pieces contain 220 calories, 14 grams of fat, 21 grams of carbs, 16 grams of sugar, and 3 grams of protein. And believe me, four pieces is a generous serving size since you’ll likely be satisfied after one or two of these!

More Ferrero Rondnoir information:

Rondoir dark chocolates are a unique combination of a creamy, dark chocolates are a unique combination of creamy, dark chocolate surrounding a “black pearl” of fine dark chocolate, within a delicate, crisp wafer…topped with crunchy dark chocolate morsels.

Rondnoirs are different from Rochers because they use dark chocolate and have a creamy dark chocolate center. They are covered with dark chocolate morsels and have a crispy wafer for the crunch. I have to admit, the boy ate most of these. I did get to sample a few and they are delicious! The perfect treat for those who want to indulge in dark chocolate — which, as you know, has a number of health benefits.

I’ve been eating the Garden Coco type as well, which I had never even heard about! They are delicious. From the site:

Garden Coco confections are a savory combination of rich coconut cream surrounding a sweet almond, within a delicate, crisp wafer..topped with meringue and shredded coconut.

The combination of the gooey coconut cream (YUM) and the crunch of the almond is fantastic! I am really enjoying them. They are great but I don’t feel the need to eat ten at once, which is always a nice thing. But, my true love still belongs to Rochers.

Rocher chocolates are a tempting combination of luscious, creamy, chocolaty filling surrounding a whole hazelnut, within a delicate, crisp wafer…all enveloped in milk chocolate and finely chopped hazelnuts.

I have always loved the surrounding little hazelnuts, the initial bite that releases a flood of chocolate into the mouth, and of course the giant hazelnut in the center. That is heaven. It truly is my perfect treat.

Here is some more information:

– Perfect Gift for Mother’s Day: The Ferrero Collection assortment has something for every picky Mom, including Ferrero Rocher milk chocolates, Ferrero Rondnoir dark chocolates and Garden Coco coconut confections, all in elegant gold, bronze and silver wrapping.
I do have to note that the box looked gorgeous!

– Affordable Luxury Under $10: These premium affordable chocolates are found at grocery stores, national drug stores and mass merchandiser chains, and retail from $3.74 (12-pc) to $9.99 (24-pc).
True that. I’ve bought Rochers as gifts before. Affordable and delicious!

Yum. These have been keeping me and the boy happy every day. I guarantee the chocolates won’t last through this weekend. And check out Missy’s review for pictures of the insides of these delicious treats.

And take this quiz to see What Chocolate Are You? I am a Ferrero RondnoirTM Dark Chocolates Personality!

Thanks, Ferrero!

Blog No Evil?

Tomorrow the boy and I are going to Melanie’s Kentucky Derby party! I have my outfit (southern preppy dress code) all picked out, giant hat included. I brought the dress in to the cleaners on Monday to make sure it would be ready in time. Yesterday I picked it up and was shocked when I opened the wrapping to see WRINKLES ALL OVER. It looked like I never even brought it in!

I thought maybe I was overreacting, but I tried it on. It seriously looked worse than it did when I brought it in.

I was really upset since I was at the boy’s already and couldn’t bring it back to my cleaner to show him. I dropped it off at the cleaners in the boy’s building and they guaranteed they could have it pressed and ready for me later today — but I am annoyed. I pais a hefty bill at my dry cleaner’s yesterday for many items, including that dress. I will go in and tell the cleaner next time I can, but without the proof I am sure he won’t do anything. I’ve been using the one in the boy’s building more often anyway — I will just have to use them exclusively.

The only downfall is that is gets charged to the boy and sometimes…. maybe…. I forget to pay him back. Oops. 😕

 And lastly, I felt this was timely:

Utter Pig - Perry Bible Fellowship

A Yoga Review from a girl who hates Yoga

I’ve gone to yoga a few times. I hated it. Every time. At my last attempt, at my current gym, the instructor told me I am way too young to be so tense. Well, yeah.

I found yoga boring. I found it long. Time seemed to stand still in the 90 minute classes, each pose lasting forever. The poses were difficult for me. I am not at all flexible and I just hated it!

And then my daily Vital Juice newsletter presented a special offer — 2 free yoga classes at The Fierce Club. The VJD description was intriguing:

The atmosphere here is laid-back and boisterous compared to more traditional studios. Still, you’ll get a no-nonsense workout. Their Core Strength Vinyasa class combines cardio and muscle toning with an emphasis on firming your middle.

The Fierce Club

Missy and I decided to try it out last night. Our instructor was Sadie, one of the co-owners. From the website:

If you get bored easily in yoga class, want an incredible workout and are adventurous, whatever your level, this class is for you! Sadie will expand your edge without pushing you over it, with a vigorous, core-centered and creative flow. You’ll sweat, tone, sculpt and burn calories, all without becoming overwhelmed. But you will leave stronger, more lean, flexible and ready to face the day head on. She plays the music you might have on your ipod rather than purely “yoga” sounds, and to this rock and roll soundtrack, you’ll move, play, laugh and learn an incredible amount of the alignment and anatomy in your poses.

Hmmmm let’s see. Get bored easily in yoga? Check! Want an incredible workout? Check! Want to sweat, tone, scuplt and burn calories without being overwhelmed? CHECK! It appeared this class was designed specifically for me.

As soon as you walk in, you’re in the studio. I walked in and told them I read about the free classes on Vital Juice and Shannon, the other co-worker, was sitting there and exclaimed, “We love Vital Juicers!” She was extremely friendly and introduced herself. The guy at the desk was great as well, and explained where I could find the mat and the changing rooms. I got ready and was relieved when Missy arrived. I reserved spots for us and then went up to Sadie to tell her we are new and have no idea what we are doing. I also told her that I am not flexible and that I have taken yoga classes and hated it.

She said, “I used to hate yoga, too, until I developed my own style! Don’t worry — even if you hate this, at least you’ll get a really great workout!” I loved that. So friendly, so open. She understood what I didn’t like about yoga, which is pretty unusual for a yoga instructor! She had Missy and I move up to be closer to her so she could correct us and assist when we needed it.

The class began and we started with abs. It BURNED. So much that when it came time to do a plank my abs were on fire! The class flowed quickly after that as we moved from one pose to the next. None of the poses were strange or boring — they were all strength exercises. They involved holding our bodies up with our arms and supporting ourselves with our core. If a pose was particularly challenging, it wasn’t a big deal since we moved on to the next very quickly. It was tough on the arms, the thighs, the abs. I was sweating.

It really felt more like a strength class than a yoga class. It was nonstop, the music was awesome, and it was a real challenge. I was surprised by how well I did — I was able to do most of the poses! One of the more advanced moves we did was almost impossible until Sadie came and helped; I was shocked to see I was doing it!

My arms burned most at the end of the class, when we did two sets of these 20 jump things, with only our arms to hold us up. By the last 5 in each set I could barely do it, my arms were worked so hard! When they claim to give you more of a workout in 60 minutes than other yoga classes give in 90, they weren’t joking.

And you can all get a free class at The Fierce Club too! Just click here.

The class was incredible and unlike anything I have taken before. I have another free session to use, but there is one caveat — the class brought out my shoulder injury. You must all think I am a big complainer and all I do is talk about what hurts me. But for some reason these things just happen to me.

My shoulder story
One morning a few months ago I felt a sharp, intense pain in my left shoulder. I figured I must have slept funny on it. But it continued to hurt. I experienced that same sharp pain every time I bent my arm back to put on my coat or put on my scarf. It happened if I leaned on my arm. It happend if I turned to the left. I ignored it, thinking it would go away, but after a month it was clear it wasn’t going anywhere.

I went to an orthopedist and he sent me for an MRI. The MRI revealed that I had bone marrow edema in my shoulder. “You must have gotten it from lifting weights,” the doctor said. Nice theory, except that I had never lifted weights. “It seems like post-traumatic osteomitis,” the doctor said. Nice theory, except that I experienced no trauma. So basically I had this shoulder injury called bone marrow edema with no known cause. The orthopedist sent me where all orthopedists send me — physical therapy.

I went for a couple months and then stopped. By this time, the sharp pains had ended and I was left with a constant, dull pain. We did nothing in physical therapy that I couldn’t do on my own. My left shoulder feels very different from my right. I am always aware that it is not as it should be. I feel a tightness all the time. I can’t sleep on my left side — it hurts so much to lay down on that side. I often feel pain but not that initial sharp pain. But I always feel a throbbing. And it hurts. I figured it was just something else I would have to live with — like my knee, like my stomach.

I felt sad and defeated as I mentally made a list of the exercises I can not currently do because of my injuries: running, spinning, yoga, stairmill, possibly elliptical. Sigh. I am just trying to be active and do good things for my body. Is that so much to ask!

Back to Yesterday
I was so focused on my knee yesterday that I completely forgot about my shoulder. I didn’t even think to tell Sadie about it. During class when the pains started I knew I had messed up, but I wanted desperately to continue with the class and get as much out of it as I could. But I felt the pull, I felt the pain, I knew that the class was making my shoulder worse.

I finished the class (trying to put more weight on my right side when I could) but feeling like I really hurt myself. At the same time, I loved the class and was excited and happy about it, wishing I could do it again but knowing that my shoulder wouldn’t let me. I went to talk to Sadie and I told her how great the class was — and how I reignited an old shoulder injury. I sadly admitted I didn’t think I could come back for another class.

“You should have told me before the class that you had an injury!” Sadie exclaimed. “I know,” I said, “But I forgot all about it until the pain started!” Sadie understood. She said that next time I take class, to tell her first about my shoulder and she can help me with poses that will put more strain on my arms (as I think I was supposed to be doing in this class) and less on my shoulders. She told me that there are definitely ways I can avoid straining my shoulders in her class.

Today when I go to the doctor about my knee I will tell him about my shoulder. I got my MRI at the hospital where he works, so he should be able to see the report. Maybe he will have something new to say about my condition. I was even thinking it was a good thing yoga hurt my shoulder because I might have forgotten to mention it to the new doctor otherwise. I am curious to hear what he says about both my knee and my shoulder — fingers crossed!

In happier news, I LOVE my new doormat! Here is a picture of me standing on my new mat. No, i didn’t put it out yet!

Dori with doormat     Doormat

And here is Doomat Giveaway Contest Winner Andrea with her son Logan and her new doormat:

Andrea Logan doormat  Andrea doormat

Andrea loves her doormat as well! And she took cuter pictures! Of course, Logan is adorable. But I didn’t think to hold my mat up like that, I was so intent on it being on the floor. Haha.

Another big thanks to Coco Mats ‘N More for their generosity!

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