Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Fun Fact: Leg Measurements
After my surgery, I was completely non weight bearing for six weeks. After a while, in addition to feeling like my left leg was made of warm liquid goo, it also started looking noticeably smaller. Well on Friday, two days after I started putting weight on my leg, I grabbed a tape measure and checked if there was a measurable difference. There was! On my right leg--the one I did not have surgery on--my calf measured 14" (of steel). But my left calf only measured 12.75"! Isn't that nuts! I lost 10% of the circumference of my calf in just six weeks. Now that's the *wrong* way to loose inches.
Meditation DVD Review: Chi Kung for Health, Six Seated Meditations
Yesterday I wrote about a DVD that opened my eyes to qigong. It was called Chi Kung for Health, Six Seated Meditations.
I really liked this DVD. I liked it so much that I still have it, and when you go through Netflix DVDs at the rate I do, that's a pretty high accolade. I've done each of the meditations twice now, and hope to do them one more time before I return it.
The host is Terence Dunn, a mildly awkward host, but he basically just takes you through the movements (all upper body, and felt a lot like tai chi movements), guides you through a breath pattern, and then takes you through the routine several times for each pattern. He suggests that you memorize the patterns and do them on your own for several more repetitions, but I haven't memorized them yet.
Anyway, I'm excited about qigong now as a meditation option. This DVD didn't tell me much about what qigong is or what its real purpose is, but I'm sure I'll learn that as I go through more DVDs.
I really liked this DVD. I liked it so much that I still have it, and when you go through Netflix DVDs at the rate I do, that's a pretty high accolade. I've done each of the meditations twice now, and hope to do them one more time before I return it.
The host is Terence Dunn, a mildly awkward host, but he basically just takes you through the movements (all upper body, and felt a lot like tai chi movements), guides you through a breath pattern, and then takes you through the routine several times for each pattern. He suggests that you memorize the patterns and do them on your own for several more repetitions, but I haven't memorized them yet.
Anyway, I'm excited about qigong now as a meditation option. This DVD didn't tell me much about what qigong is or what its real purpose is, but I'm sure I'll learn that as I go through more DVDs.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Meditation Option: Qigong
I'd never practiced qigong before last week, but I think it's my new favorite hobby. I lived in China for a brief period a few years ago, and all over the place I use to see these random older people standing very very still, staring at a tree with their arms spread. It looked pretty cool actually. Like they were just playing tree for a little while.
Anyway, Netflix sent me a DVD the other week with six seated qigong meditations, so I gave it a try. I really liked it! It had some movement to it, so it was easier for me to focus my mind. But more about the DVD later. For now I just want to share what I've learned in the last 72 or so about qigong.
Qigong (also spelled chi kung) is frequently associated with meditation, tai chi or kung fu, but what I didn't realize it that it is also considered a type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). That is, while most consider it a subset of meditation, some also believe that the practice works with your chi in a much more profound way. For example, it works to permit the chi (life force, breath, or energy) to flow more freely if there is a block, or to release if there is too much in one location.
It's this latter possibility that interests me. I'm counting on my body to send some lovin' to my talus to build some cartilage down there, and if increased chi flow will help make that happen, I'm all for it. And at the worst, it's a form of meditation and those benefits are well documented. And from what I've gathered, the practice of chi kung, which can be done yourself or can be practiced on another person, seems similar in essence to other energy healing practices, like reiki. Reiki is still pretty far-out by most doctors' measure, but it is increasingly being offered by western hospitals. (See, e.g. Hartford Hospital)
Iron Ankle?
Since it's my new favorite hobby, I'm sure I'll learn much more about it. But there's one thing I gotta know now. You know all those tricks that Shaolin monks do, breaking steel rods with their foreheads and laying on top of the points of spears and stuff? (Also called the irons: iron fist, iron throat, iron crotch, etc.) That's a chi practice too, but I wondered if it was also qigong. If so, that would be cool, since if a 92-pound 11 year old boy can break a steal rod with his forehead, I should be able to get my ankle to take me down the stairs.
Well, it's similar. That practice is called "hard" chi gong, and from what I've garnered, its more about directing the chi outward, whereas "soft" qigong is about the internal flow of qi. Well, my ankle is on the inside, so I'll stick with soft qigong for now, but eventually, I'm totally gonna perfect iron ankle.
Anyway, Netflix sent me a DVD the other week with six seated qigong meditations, so I gave it a try. I really liked it! It had some movement to it, so it was easier for me to focus my mind. But more about the DVD later. For now I just want to share what I've learned in the last 72 or so about qigong.
Qigong (also spelled chi kung) is frequently associated with meditation, tai chi or kung fu, but what I didn't realize it that it is also considered a type of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). That is, while most consider it a subset of meditation, some also believe that the practice works with your chi in a much more profound way. For example, it works to permit the chi (life force, breath, or energy) to flow more freely if there is a block, or to release if there is too much in one location.
It's this latter possibility that interests me. I'm counting on my body to send some lovin' to my talus to build some cartilage down there, and if increased chi flow will help make that happen, I'm all for it. And at the worst, it's a form of meditation and those benefits are well documented. And from what I've gathered, the practice of chi kung, which can be done yourself or can be practiced on another person, seems similar in essence to other energy healing practices, like reiki. Reiki is still pretty far-out by most doctors' measure, but it is increasingly being offered by western hospitals. (See, e.g. Hartford Hospital)
Iron Ankle?
Since it's my new favorite hobby, I'm sure I'll learn much more about it. But there's one thing I gotta know now. You know all those tricks that Shaolin monks do, breaking steel rods with their foreheads and laying on top of the points of spears and stuff? (Also called the irons: iron fist, iron throat, iron crotch, etc.) That's a chi practice too, but I wondered if it was also qigong. If so, that would be cool, since if a 92-pound 11 year old boy can break a steal rod with his forehead, I should be able to get my ankle to take me down the stairs.
Well, it's similar. That practice is called "hard" chi gong, and from what I've garnered, its more about directing the chi outward, whereas "soft" qigong is about the internal flow of qi. Well, my ankle is on the inside, so I'll stick with soft qigong for now, but eventually, I'm totally gonna perfect iron ankle.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Workout Bust: Instructional Bellydance with Jillina
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm on crutches. But since belly dance is mostly about abdominal movements, I thought I might be able to learn it lying down. It would be like a Beyonce video or something. Well, Shakira and Beyonce notwithstanding, I was wrong, at least about Instructional Bellydance with Jillina.
First, I'd give the video a bad review even if I were able to dance on my feet. She basically just shows you some moves and says, "so that's how you do that. Next..." If I was really just wondering how to belly dance, this might be enough, but come on lady! I'm looking for some exercise!
On the floor, it's even less satisfying. Since you've got this floor behind you, it's really hard to make your hips move in various directions. You'd have to do some uncomfortable arching. Anyway, I'm not ruling out the possibility that it can be done, but I'm ruling it out for me.
First, I'd give the video a bad review even if I were able to dance on my feet. She basically just shows you some moves and says, "so that's how you do that. Next..." If I was really just wondering how to belly dance, this might be enough, but come on lady! I'm looking for some exercise!
On the floor, it's even less satisfying. Since you've got this floor behind you, it's really hard to make your hips move in various directions. You'd have to do some uncomfortable arching. Anyway, I'm not ruling out the possibility that it can be done, but I'm ruling it out for me.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Essential Accessories for Crutchers
So you're on crutches? What a coincidence! So am I! Well crutching might be annoying, but some basic accessories will take away the worst aspects of them. Below are my top five.
1. Shower Stool
Gosh I wish I could write this one without having to use the word stool. But I honestly don't know how people take showers without these vital pieces of plastic. If you have weak water pressure in your house, you might also want a detachable shower head, but my apartment is pretty good about that, so I just used the stool. I've had minefor quite a while actually, since I'm a lower-leg injury veteran.
2. Crutch Bag(s)
I ordered two bags from The Crutch Bag, but a quick google search will show you lots of bag options. I actually didn't use mine as much as I expected, probably because I had a strict policy of always wearing pockets. But in the absence of pockets, you definitely need some crutch bags. I'm a lady, see, and we usually use handbags and purses for our stuff, but you can't use those when you're on crutches 'cause they will slide off your arm, knock into your crutch, disrupt your flow and the like. And, even if you have a bag that works for you, it's nice to have something that you don't have to take off your body and open and close. I used my crutch bags a lot for things that I needed at-the-ready, like my keys and wallet, and for stuff I picked up, like my mail.
3. Coffee Travel Mug/ Thermos
One of the most annoying parts of being on crutches is how to handle the coffee situation. I require coffee to do work, but the place where I buy coffee is like a million miles from the library. Sometimes a friend would be there to make a run for me, but most of the time I was on my own. For four weeks I actually avoided going to school purely for the coffee reason. And then one day, when I was talking to a friend about my desire to create a crutch attachment that was carefully designed so that it could carry a cup of coffee for you, it hit me: a thermos! I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I'm wicked smart. I had considered a travel mug, but those things still spill if you knock them around. But not so with a thermos! I can fill it at home for use at school later, or if I needed more than 24 oz of coffee, I could crutch to the nearest coffee vendor and ask to fill 'er up (and then return to the library, my thermos in my trusty crutch bag).
So, don't be an idiot like me. Get a reliable thermos. I would have bought this one.
4. A Netflix Subscription
This is true if you like movies, but it's also true if you're into (a) educational videos, (b) motivational speakers and financial planning advice, or (c) vintage exercise DVD's. Usually, I just get one DVD at a time, but while I'm on crutches I'm getting four at a time, and I sometimes think about upping my subscription again. Going through exercise DVD's is fun!
5. Video Games
Do you like to play video games? Or maybe you liked to play video games but now you are 30 and have too many responsibilities? Well now's your chance. It is you duty to sit on your butt for the next however long. Your obligation. Your chore. So you might as well develop that hand-eye coordination by logging in some serious video game time. Bonus f you can rope a friend or family member into playing with you. Bonding time!
I'm actually horrible at regular video games so I prefer role playing games like Final Fantasy. These games take 60+ hour to play but it feels more like 20. If you are unfamiliar with RPGs because you just aren't cool enough, they are basically really long stories that you interact with. You look for clues and need to go to this place and that place to get more of the story, usually fighting monsters along the way. But, they require little skill, which is my speed. Anyway, they are a great way to pass the time. If you have the original PlayStation, I can recommend Final Fantasy 7--it's a gamer favorite.
1. Shower Stool
Gosh I wish I could write this one without having to use the word stool. But I honestly don't know how people take showers without these vital pieces of plastic. If you have weak water pressure in your house, you might also want a detachable shower head, but my apartment is pretty good about that, so I just used the stool. I've had minefor quite a while actually, since I'm a lower-leg injury veteran.
2. Crutch Bag(s)
I ordered two bags from The Crutch Bag, but a quick google search will show you lots of bag options. I actually didn't use mine as much as I expected, probably because I had a strict policy of always wearing pockets. But in the absence of pockets, you definitely need some crutch bags. I'm a lady, see, and we usually use handbags and purses for our stuff, but you can't use those when you're on crutches 'cause they will slide off your arm, knock into your crutch, disrupt your flow and the like. And, even if you have a bag that works for you, it's nice to have something that you don't have to take off your body and open and close. I used my crutch bags a lot for things that I needed at-the-ready, like my keys and wallet, and for stuff I picked up, like my mail.
3. Coffee Travel Mug/ Thermos
One of the most annoying parts of being on crutches is how to handle the coffee situation. I require coffee to do work, but the place where I buy coffee is like a million miles from the library. Sometimes a friend would be there to make a run for me, but most of the time I was on my own. For four weeks I actually avoided going to school purely for the coffee reason. And then one day, when I was talking to a friend about my desire to create a crutch attachment that was carefully designed so that it could carry a cup of coffee for you, it hit me: a thermos! I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I'm wicked smart. I had considered a travel mug, but those things still spill if you knock them around. But not so with a thermos! I can fill it at home for use at school later, or if I needed more than 24 oz of coffee, I could crutch to the nearest coffee vendor and ask to fill 'er up (and then return to the library, my thermos in my trusty crutch bag).
So, don't be an idiot like me. Get a reliable thermos. I would have bought this one.
4. A Netflix Subscription
This is true if you like movies, but it's also true if you're into (a) educational videos, (b) motivational speakers and financial planning advice, or (c) vintage exercise DVD's. Usually, I just get one DVD at a time, but while I'm on crutches I'm getting four at a time, and I sometimes think about upping my subscription again. Going through exercise DVD's is fun!
5. Video Games
Do you like to play video games? Or maybe you liked to play video games but now you are 30 and have too many responsibilities? Well now's your chance. It is you duty to sit on your butt for the next however long. Your obligation. Your chore. So you might as well develop that hand-eye coordination by logging in some serious video game time. Bonus f you can rope a friend or family member into playing with you. Bonding time!
I'm actually horrible at regular video games so I prefer role playing games like Final Fantasy. These games take 60+ hour to play but it feels more like 20. If you are unfamiliar with RPGs because you just aren't cool enough, they are basically really long stories that you interact with. You look for clues and need to go to this place and that place to get more of the story, usually fighting monsters along the way. But, they require little skill, which is my speed. Anyway, they are a great way to pass the time. If you have the original PlayStation, I can recommend Final Fantasy 7--it's a gamer favorite.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Putting My Foot Down
Okay, I apologize to those ones of readers who may have stumbled on this blog in the last two weeks. Motivation slumped to a significant low. However, fear not. I am still on crutches--but now only kind of: yesterday I got to put my foot down!
Yesterday was six weeks and one day after my surgery, so I saw my doctor. I thought he'd maybe examine my ankle or something before telling me what I could and could not do, but that's not really what happened. He basically walked in, noted that my foot was not gangrenous, and said I could start walking on it and going to PT.
I cocked my head a little bit, "Uh--that's it? Like, I can just walk now?" He replied that I could, but recommended I take it slow at first. No crap I'll take it slow! My foot is like a limp fish! Let me tell you, 6 weeks of doing absolutely nothing with your leg will make your calf, foot and ankle very weak and groggy. So, when I'm out and about I still crutch cos it's much faster and much less scary than trying to walk, but when I'm moving around my apartment (which takes no more than 3 steps to get from one end to the other) I do a shuffley walk.
I'm still getting used to it. For those of you who have never experienced the joy of a long stint on crutches, when you step on your foot again it's a pretty weird feeling. The nerves of your foot have been re-sensitized by their prolonged rest and the muscles are all knotted up, so you really notice the fact that you basically always stand on a tripod of bones. I actually had to look at the bottoms of both of my feet to see if the non-gimpy one had way more padding or something. Not so. We really do just stomp around on our bones like that. So, I like to put on squishy slippers.
Anyway it was pretty sweet to put my foot down. A little weight bearing gets you a giant leap in quality of life. For example, when I was waiting for the bus, I stood on two legs. Sweet! And right now, as I type, I'm sitting on the floor with my one leg bent so I can put my elbow on my knee. This means I am putting weight on that foot. Which I can do now. Sweet!
So, I have my first physical therapy appointment tomorrow and am looking forward to it. I still have a significantly reduced range of motion, so even if I tried to truly walk, I would be bending my ankle in all kinds of directions that it'd prefer not be bent into. My doc said that I should get a sense of whether the surgery worked or not (it has about a 70-80% sucess rate) in six weeks or so. Until then I'll be doing lots of rehabbing and healing, and I won't be fully operational for about six months, so this blog is here to stay, at least for a bit.
Yesterday was six weeks and one day after my surgery, so I saw my doctor. I thought he'd maybe examine my ankle or something before telling me what I could and could not do, but that's not really what happened. He basically walked in, noted that my foot was not gangrenous, and said I could start walking on it and going to PT.
I cocked my head a little bit, "Uh--that's it? Like, I can just walk now?" He replied that I could, but recommended I take it slow at first. No crap I'll take it slow! My foot is like a limp fish! Let me tell you, 6 weeks of doing absolutely nothing with your leg will make your calf, foot and ankle very weak and groggy. So, when I'm out and about I still crutch cos it's much faster and much less scary than trying to walk, but when I'm moving around my apartment (which takes no more than 3 steps to get from one end to the other) I do a shuffley walk.
I'm still getting used to it. For those of you who have never experienced the joy of a long stint on crutches, when you step on your foot again it's a pretty weird feeling. The nerves of your foot have been re-sensitized by their prolonged rest and the muscles are all knotted up, so you really notice the fact that you basically always stand on a tripod of bones. I actually had to look at the bottoms of both of my feet to see if the non-gimpy one had way more padding or something. Not so. We really do just stomp around on our bones like that. So, I like to put on squishy slippers.
Anyway it was pretty sweet to put my foot down. A little weight bearing gets you a giant leap in quality of life. For example, when I was waiting for the bus, I stood on two legs. Sweet! And right now, as I type, I'm sitting on the floor with my one leg bent so I can put my elbow on my knee. This means I am putting weight on that foot. Which I can do now. Sweet!
So, I have my first physical therapy appointment tomorrow and am looking forward to it. I still have a significantly reduced range of motion, so even if I tried to truly walk, I would be bending my ankle in all kinds of directions that it'd prefer not be bent into. My doc said that I should get a sense of whether the surgery worked or not (it has about a 70-80% sucess rate) in six weeks or so. Until then I'll be doing lots of rehabbing and healing, and I won't be fully operational for about six months, so this blog is here to stay, at least for a bit.
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