Approaching Week 19

I'm approaching week 19 post surgery.  I have been busting my shell 3x's a week w/ a personal trainer for the past 4 weeks & counting and I can tell a world of difference in my strength & the rebuilding of my muscles.  Although I'm trying to run and walk I'm having some issues w/ this.  I've had some pain in my legs and also some shooting pain in my left foot which feels very much like it did when I was dx w/ a stress fracture last summer.  So I have been utilizing my bike quite a bit and I'm now biking on average, 20-30 miles.  I'm thinking about entering my first race, but I gotta cross check the route first & coicide it w/ Dr's orders (see explanation below).   

Okay....so the not so great news is that I had a follow-up Dr's appt. this week with the goddess of orthopeds.  She served me with a MRI for my left foot and once she gets this issue sorted out we'll then proceed w/ re-evaluating my legs.  She stated it's very rare to have symptoms of compartment syndrome return after surgery to relieve this.  With that said, she's concerned (based on the symptoms I've reported) that I may have Venous Insufficiency.  What the hell is that you ask?   "Venous insufficiency is caused by problems in one or more deeper leg veins. Normally, valves in your veins keep your blood flowing back towards the heart so it does not collect in one place. But the valves in varicose veins are either damaged or missing. This causes the veins to remain filled with blood, especially when you are standing.  The condition may also be caused by a blockage in a vein from a clot (deep vein thrombosis)." 

So....until further notice I'm still limited in running/walking no more than 2 miles (preferably not at all).  However, I am still allowed to continue w/ my trainer (b/c rebuilding the atrophy is most important & beneficial) and I'm also allowed to bike (or swim).  Therefore, I will be riding it like I stole it until the Dr says otherwise.  :)

Once the MRI is completed and I see my Dr for f/u, a plan will be put in place and we'll go from there.  There's a high probability that I may be casted or booted and back on those damn crutches which we all know I hate & WILL likely ditch.  You just may see the return of the CAMO CANE!!! 

While I am trying my best to be upbeat & optimistic about all this, I knew before I even entered her office this week that I would walk out w/ bad news.  Gut instincts don't exist just for the hell of it.  I have since absorbed it and attempted to get over myself and my disappointment.  However, this is a slow process & I still have bouts of being very frustrated and angry.  My goal of returning to the pitch to play rugby and getting back into my running groove by June just isn't going to happen.  And it's time to accept that.  *sigh*  This stubborn Irish lass is focused & determined that with some MORE patience, continued hard work & discipline on my part and the ongoing awesome care that I get from my Dr. that I'll be back to good by the Fall at the very latest.  Maybe that's far fetched, but a girl - a rugger - a runner - a hiker &  a biker can dream......