Back too soon....
I've been back to work for three full days now, and apparently, I went back too soon. I will be going back on leave again effective tomorrow. This is the right decision for me to get better, but it really really sucks to be honest with you guys. It felt great to be doing my thing again. As much as I like to bitch about work when I have a bad day, my career is a huge part of my identity and it makes me feel like I serve a purpose. The feeling I have had coming back, and having all of my regular patients welcome me back and tell me I was missed was incredible. I have my 15 year anniversary with Walgreens on August 19th, and am sad that I am probably not going to be able to be there for it. I am forever grateful for my career and tenure with such a fabulous company. I am beyond blessed.
I went to Southwest Spine and Sports to see Dr. Sherman yesterday for my second opinion on my situation.
I knew something more was going on than just my hamstring at this point. Symptoms have changed, I was no more than 25% better after 9 weeks of consistent physical therapy....something had to give. My pain was so much worse after two days of work, even sitting for 3/4 of the time I was there, that I got really worried. My friend Sue suggested I see an orthopedic surgeon to get a second opinion, and that doctor referred me back to SWSS.
It was nice to see a familiar face in Dr. Sherman, since he treated me for my knee injury last year. I basically told him when I went in that he was my last hope....but no pressure lol!! I explained my initial diagnosis, and the change in symptoms. ( I now have pain that travels down the back of my leg, into my calf, and to my foot at times. ) I also explained to him that the orthopedic surgeon thought it might be piriformis syndrome because of the sciatic nerve pathway that the pain seems to be going down now. The piriformis runs horizontally across the glute from tail bone out toward the hip, and sciatic nerve runs past it. If it becomes inflamed, it can press up against the nerve and cause that kind of pain. PS is a diagnosis of exclusion, and is not very common. What that means is that when all other diagnoses have been ruled out, if the symptoms are typical of PS, then that is what it most likely is. I got a steroid shot in my right piriformis to see if reducing the inflammation would in turn reduce the sciatic nerve pain. He also ordered another MRI, this time of the lumbar spine to rule out any lower back involvement. Sometimes you can have lumbar spine problems that manifest as leg pain without really having lower back pain. Interesting, huh? I will keep you guys updated on what I find out here in the next week or so.
On a happier note, the pasta I made last night for today turned out great! It was so quick to make and healthy that I will definitely make it again!
I also got this super cute dress on sale at a new boutique by Chandler Mall that was recommended to me called Lizard Thicket. It was on sale for $20! They have a lot of really cute things, and I would definitely recommend checking it out if you live in the area! The earrings below are also from there. They were under $10, maybe $8.95? Totally reasonable! Some of their necklaces were on the high side, like upwards of $30, but those were very big and blingy pieces.
Do you guys remember that palette I told you about? I finally took pictures of it:
Blush is called Mocha, eye shadows from top left going clockwise are Yogurt, Plum Reduction, Heather Belles, and my personal favorite, Romance Me. I like yogurt all over, Plum Reduction in the crease and blended out, then Romance Me concentrated in the crease and outer corner. I go back and do the highlight again with Yogurt, then line with Heather Belles. The lipsticks are the two on the right side, Blankety on top and Syrup on bottom. There is a built in plastic cover to keep eyeshadow powder from getting on the lipstick. What an amazing collection for only $49.95!! It is so small, too, that I carry it with me in my purse whenever I wear the lipsticks, or am running late (a.k.a. everyday, all day) and need to do my makeup on the run. Again, I got this palette at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. Grab it while they still have it!!
I am off to bed now. It has again, been another long and emotional day for me. I truly believe God has a plan for me. If I hadn't gone back to work too soon, I never would've experienced the pain that led me to possibly getting a full and correct diagnosis. It's hard to understand His plans sometimes, but they are there and he is working actively in my life. I am grateful for my life, and know it is only going to get better from here on out! Lessons are being learned, patience is being tested, and I have learned that my supervisor and store manager are on my side and just want me to get better. No more guilt in doing what I need to do for myself to get to 100%. Thanks so much you guys! Your encouragement and guidance today meant the world to me.
I hope everyone has a great weekend! Here I go for round two of "let's get me better!"
Happy Trails!
Stacey
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