Thursday, May 1, 2014

Should I or shouldn't I

that is the question.   Today is May 1st,   the first day of a new month.   While I was not in contention for a weight loss goal, I had been following Richard and David and their attempts to reach a certain weight by May 1st.   Many years ago I was also up in the 212 range and it hurt, and I was always feeling uncomfortable.  We changed our lifestyle and diet and over time I reduced to around 185 which I have maintained for the past 4-5 years.  Then near the end of March I noticed that they were approaching my level, so of course, I had to spring into action.   I cut my portions, a few weeks ago I started walking around town on Saturdays and I tried to cut down on sugar (reduce my pop intake).  I even cut back on ketchup (lots of sugar in there).   I have been starving the past few weeks and last Thursday I finally broke the 180 barrier.  I actually reached 178 and was below 180 for two days.  It was hard as I was bouncing around 180-181.5 but this morning, the first day of a new month I finally reached my imaginary goal, again


Of course that includes the weight of my glasses, otherwise I wouldn't be able to see those numbers

Those that know me will know that I do not miss work.  Even when I don't feel well I will somehow make it there.  I also avoid Doctors and will only go when I am in so much pain there isn't an alternative.  Well,  yesterday was the day that I decided to see my Doctor about my swollen foot.   You will know that this is a recurring problem but it is usually solved by seeing my Doctor, taking some pills and waiting a couple of weeks to get back to normal.   I do not have Gout, and I did not stress myself, nor did I have any mishaps.  I have been wearing zero rise, barefoot style shoes for over 2 years but it seems that this problem comes up around the same time, when it happens . . .  in the Spring.  So maybe it is season related.


 My right foot is much less swollen than before.  Today it is manageable and while I still hobble, I am not in pain.  Yesterday I took a Celebrex, and this morning I took another and it seems to be working.  My ankle is still tender and a bit warm to the touch, in that area

Back to my story.  Yesterday I decided to see my Doctor.  I checked my notes for her phone number and noticed that she was closed on Wednesday's.   The past couple of days I was in great pain, my leg was hurting and throbbing and I could hardly stand without pain jabbing up my leg.   My car is a 5 speed manual and it was a struggle in heavy traffic to get home in rush hour.   Even holding down the brake pedal was a chore but I eventually made it home where I just sat and couldn't get up

My Doctor opens at 10am so I thought I would head downtown and get there when she opened, but Mrs Skoot said they answer their phone from 9:30am so that's what I did.  I started calling at 9:30a but it wasn't until after 10am that someone answered.   In the meantime I showered and changed my underwear, you just never know.  Even though she was only going to check my foot I keep thinking that she may ask me to change into one of those gowns.  She has never asked me yet but I can keep hoping . . .

Imagine what was going through my mind when the secretary said my Doctor was on Vacation and would not be back until May 20th.   So what to do ?


I was at home already and the weather was absolutely like summer so I brought my chair outside to contemplate my options.  It was very warm sitting in the sun.  I decided to rest my foot so I phoned my office to let them know that I wasn't coming in today

I am not used to doing nothing so after I got bored I decided to check the air in my motorcycle tires.  Even though I haven't been able to ride, I wanted it to be ready, just in case


In fact my motorcycle has been insured since March 16th and I have only ridden two times since then.  I have been having problems with my portable air compressor as the nozzle isn't air tight and let some air out, so I had to turn on my big electric unit


I set the pressure to 33psi (front) and 36psi (rear)


Of course I had to jump on and see if my weak foot can handle the weight of the Vstrom.  I moved the weight from side to side and I think I could handle riding it

I know in the past when I wear my riding boots it offers more support for my ankle so I thought that I should try walking around with my boots on and see if that would be better.


 I thought if I felt comfident enough, I could use the rest of the day to go riding somewhere.


So I brought my boots outside to see if my idea works


Yep,  I think I could do it   .  .   .      so what do you think ?   good idea  ?


22 comments:

  1. Hey Bob,

    I was wondering if that was the same foot that you injured a couple of years ago? It was just before you were to go on a long ride that you had planned for several months. Anyway, the boots are jazzy....haha. But don't go too far out of the neighborhood with them...haha. I sure hope you get that thing figured out with your foot. Is it possibly arthritis? I thought Celebrex was a steroid of some type. That is why I asked.

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    1. Pat:

      Yep. Same foot. It has happened numerous times. Not arthritis, nor is it gout. Probably stressed an older injury, somehow

      I hope I get it figured out too

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the reminder to update the web page.

    What's the term, squid? Just wear the sandals while riding and complete the look.

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    1. Richard:

      I would need an HD to do that. It feels funny not to wear ATGATT, even when hot. I change out of my boots when I stop.

      Delete
  3. Sorry to hear about your foot, but anything that gives you an excuse to stay off work on a nice, sunny day can't be all bad. As for the boots, you need a pair of red-top socks that you can roll down over the tops of the boots. Then you'd fit right in.... in Port Alberni. :)

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    1. Canajun:

      It was kind of boring and hot whilst sitting in the sun. I don't know how retired people do it. I'd imagine it would be okay if you are mobile, but I was stuck at home. I had the idea to ride but then I thought I'd better not, just in case.

      It's so frustrating to not know what is causing this problem. This has happened several times now and each time they don't know what is causing the swelling. I worry it would happen on a trip and then how do I get home ?

      Delete
  4. Playing hooky on a sunny day isn't bad. Hope your foot feels better soon. The boots probably give it support, but that doesn't mean if your foot sweeps while they are on, you can get them back off.

    FYI - if you are starving, you aren't eating enough. Have a banana or apple, or some carrot sticks, peanut butter (the real kind not the stuff with oil and sugar mixed in) something, but don't starve.

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    1. Trobairitz:

      perhaps "starving" was too strong of a world. It's just that I feel like eating, but I don't and then later my stomach hurts. I have a glass of water instead. I bought apples and bananas for work, but then I also have some danish buns and cinnamon/raisin toast.

      I dropped another pound. This AM I was down to a solid 179

      Delete
  5. Bobskoot, squids ride the crotch rockets in tshirts and sandals....the HD guys go for the pirate look.

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    1. Dom:

      I decided a few years ago, to always wear riding gear. I change into squid clothes when I arrive at my destination. Sometimes I just have to shake my head when I see what I see

      Delete
  6. Tis a shame that your portable compressor isn't working as I have two here, one is still in the package not being used. You're welcome to it if you want, I could mail it to you.

    Have you ruled out gluten allergy or sensitivity? Say breads/toast, sandwiches, buns, bagels, muffins, cupcakes, cookies, pizza, danishes, english muffins, pasta, or flour based foods like gravy and hollandaise sauce for example. (Sorry about that last one).
    Hope your ankle is feeling better soon, as it is finally riding season.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Troubadour:

      No rush. The hose clamp on my portable unit is flakey. I doesn't always hold air and when you clamp it, it lets more air out than what goes in. I like the screw in type that is more secure. I won't need your unit until next year. I hope to see you sometime this summer, and failing that I should be passing through Corvallis next September, around the 2nd week on our way back from KY we are heading to CA

      I don't have much flour based products. No riding yet until I think I could support the weight of my bike, but hopefully soon.

      Delete
  7. Bob: I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the last time your foot acted up you had been doing more than your usual limited amount of walking. It's too bad you didn't keep your Kymco 250. Me thinks it would be a useful sore foot bike, no shifting required and less weight. My SYM Citycom 263 is my preferred weapon of choice for day trips. It's more fun for me to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow unless I'm going the distance and the light nimble handling is a joy. I'm thinking about a jaunt up the Cassiar loaded with camping gear. Then I'll take the big Strom.

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    1. David:

      it has acted up several times and most always around May/June. Same problem but who knows what is causing it. The problem with having more scooters or bikes is the ICBC insurance premiums. I am already over $5K per year and another scooter would be another $1K. My BMW is nearly $1,800 just by itself and I need my commuter car just over $1,900. I am going broke paying for our Government insurance. No disounts for multi vehicle. Each vehicle has to pay full rate.

      Delete
    2. A bike like the Kymco Downtown 300 is a fast sport touring scoot that can easily replace a motorcycle for everything except long distance touring. Just put the BMW on the road for long trips. I'll never buy another big bike, mostly because of the cost of insurance. My scoot is insured for the riding season; my bike only for 3 months when I need it. A 300 scoot is cheaper to insure and is sporty and fun in a way that a big bike isn't. Just used for the occasional big trip; my 2002 1000 Vee is all I'll ever need. For me this has kept a lid on the ICBC insurance pain.

      Delete
  8. Bob, sorry to hear about your ankle. You do a lot of walking with little or no support (barefoot, crocs, minimal sandals, etc.). You might want to get some decent hiking boots and wear those for a while and see it helps.

    By the way Danny is swapping out the Tenergy unit. I have to say you are surrounded by some amazing people.

    We'll see you next in August.

    Oh, and by the way, my challenge was to get to 180 by the time we leave for Italy, so I still have 10 days and 9 pounds to go. There isn't much more than faint hope for me. Nice job on the weight loss. I knew you'd get there, Mr. Discipline :)

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    1. David:

      I don't think the problem comes from lack of support. I think there is another recurring issue. I remember that this happened on my first trip to Hawai'i way back in 1975 where my foot swelled and I could barely walk.

      I hope you are coming before August 18th as that's when I leave. I was 179 for about 3 days and this morning I was up to 180. Don't know what happened as I only had breakfast and an average dinner. I was starving all day.

      Delete
  9. Bob

    Keep taking the Celebrex. I sprained my left ankle two years ago & it still puffs up & hurts from time to time, particularly when I am riding a lot because it's my shifter foot. You definitely have something going on in there. I wonder if you have stretched tendons or ligaments, but then again it could be a hot ankle joint. You need to get some ice on it to help take the heat out of the area & relieve the inflammation. If your riding boots help relieve it, I think you need to continue wearing more supportive shoes. Try some Voltaren Emugel on the area see if that helps, you can get it at any pharmacy.

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    1. Dar:

      I am trying to only have ONE Celebrex per day. At 12 hours I am taking a Tylenol. It seems to b working. Swelling is going down. I think I am stressing something. I had an injury about 15 years ago which stretched my Achilles Tendon. Didn't go to any pharmacy this weekend. perhaps tomorrow I will get a chance to buy what you suggested. It is like arthritis cream which somehow "heats" up the area ?

      Delete
  10. I remember your foot trouble from back when we rode down to Oregon. It seems to flare up when it's getting warmer, or does it? I hope you'll get better soon.

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    1. Sonja:

      Before our iMBC2010 trip I could barely walk, but luckily it went away just in time. Then before my Montana trip in June 2011 it happened again. and again before IMBC2012. Lucky thing it didn't occur during my trip last summer.

      Delete
  11. Ed:

    getting closer with every month. Soon I'm going to be like you. I am going to see my Doctor, it's just that she's on vacation and I have to wait until May 20th. If it was life threatening I would go somewhere right away. I think I can hold out a couple of weeks.

    ReplyDelete