..is what I have been hearing the past three mornings while running in Prospect Hill, shouted to us by one of the park’s regulars. He is this older guy who bikes up to the lookout and stands with his shirt off in the sunshine of the early morning hours, and watches over the city. When Seth passes him he yells out “Beautiful Day! Feelin’ good today!” and gives two great big thumbs up. Seth had been seeing him nearly every day for the past two summers, but I had missed him since taking a little hiatus from running the past three weeks.
For a few months my knees had gradually become more and more clunky and achy, feeling as if they were grinding. Going down stairs was the worst, and at any point during the day my knees would even lock up, making them hard to bend. Grandma, Mom, and Andrew have knee issues, so I figured my time was up. I stopped running and did only light exercises and yoga for about two weeks, but with no improvement. I finally went to see an orthopedic surgeon last week, and he told me I have patello-femoral syndrome (the knee caps are sliding out of alignment) and said to seek physical therapy.
On Tuesday I made my first trip to PT. After many questions, the therapist said she was skeptical of patello-femoral syndrome and wanted to try spinal manipulation, despite having no pain in my back or hips. This would ‘reset’ the nerves in the lower back, the nerves responsible for sensations in the legs. (Basically there was pain without there being a real injury.) It sounded like it would hurt, but she made me do a fancy little twist and it was over before I knew she did anything. I didn’t feel any different but she told me to try running the next morning, which of course seemed almost as crazy as that whole ‘spinal manipulation’ thing. The next morning on my way out the door and down the stairs, I noticed there was no screaming pain in my knees. I was able to run without discomfort (though rather slowly), and the aches and grinding sensations didn’t redevelop during the day. I ran again yesterday and today and afterward I could even do certain stretches that I had to avoid the past few months.
Today I saw the therapist again and reported to her the good news. She helped me do the twist again and then showed me some hip-strengthening exercises, which will help stabilize my spine and prevent the build-up of pressure that caused the initial knee aches. Since everything is connected, stronger hips will also help support and align the knee caps. I am still afraid the pain will come back after we leave for Italy, but all I can do now is trust the therapist—at least she has been right so far!
To top things off, I had a really great visit to the dentist this morning. ‘Feelin’ good today’ for sure :o)
Spotted on our way into town: a mobile Cous Cous Kitchen
Gourmet Dumpling House!
More interesting than Ben Franklin
Watching the Pride Parade in Boston Commons
Setting up for the Brazilian Festival in the church parking lot
Annika being Baptized
Group outing to Bertucci's
Sleeping in Seth's guitar, while it was being played. For some reason Lorenzo really likes this spot.
The sun-room is his oyster
A nice big selection of travel guides. Luckily, the two main books, the Lonely Planet and the Rick Steve's, were brand new editions for 2010, and the Little Black Book is 2009.
Also for the trip, a really nifty mini notebook computer (Samsung NB30, left). It has a 10.1" screen but is still pretty comfortable to use. And, through Brandeis, we get free programs like Microsoft Office, Endnote, Symantec, etc.
Not exactly travel-related, but Seth got himself some super nice recording equipment. Completely work related, of course! ;o)
I love Melissa's expression as the ball comes flying at her
Seth's Uncle Paul and Aunt Mare join us for wine and Scratch N' Win
Not sure what is going on here
The Gorham Memorial Day Parade!
A strong showing from the 4H Club
The star of the show: Chance!
The John Deere train, also very cool.
Looking up the parade route
