Searching For Allison

If you would have told me six months ago I would be able to run a half marathon, I would have laughed...or cried...or both.   After life saving surgery on December 7, 2021, I knew the recovery process was going to be a long, slow journey.  I knew it was going to be a journey where I appreciated literally every step I took.   The first month of recovery allowed me NO physical activity other than small walks around the block a few times a day at a snail's pace (or slower). January... I was only allowed to walk, and the doctor made it clear I could walk as long as I wanted and as far as I wanted, but walking was it. So, walk I did:  304.2 miles to be exact. February... After two months of no running, I finally got the ok to run by the doc. Of course, this did not mean FULL ON running, it meant in small increments with still mostly walking with the guidance and help of my trusty PT/bestie Cait. I also got to add biking and lifting (light weights) to the mix and start doing exercises to

 As many of you know, on Tuesday, December 7 I experienced a day that changed my life.   I went to work like normal, feeling a smidge off, but by 930am I knew there was no way I would be able to make it through the work day as an immense pain creeped into my stomach.  This happened the previous Friday, also causing me to leave work.  Here is the difference though: on Friday I came home and was able to sleep off the pain, but on Tuesday the pain was somehow different.  I left work, got in my car and sped to my mom's house which is half-way between work and home (I have an hour commute).  I am honestly not quite sure how I got to mom's as the pain was increasing and I was driving faster than I have ever driven in my life.  I got to my mom's ran in the door and went right into the bedroom to lie down.  I could not do anything to get comfortable; I kept writhing in pain.  I called Mark to bring me pjs as I knew I would not be making it home anytime soon.  He showed up, and betw

 When my friends approached me about getting in on this challenge I was game, but I honestly wasn't sure that I would be successful. If you look at the number (75) it doesn't seem too daunting, but as the days go by (good and bad) you start to realize what a long haul the number 75 actually is. For those of you who didn't read the last blog, the 75 hard challenge requires the following: 1. drink a gallon of water a day 2. no sweets 3. no alcohol 4. follow a healthy eating plan 5. read 10 minutes of non-fiction daily 6. take a daily progress picture 7. move your body twice a day for 45 minutes (one of which has to be outdoors)     **my group of gal pals modified #6 to be more realistic with our schedules.            We settled on one daily workout of 45 minutes (location did not matter) Today, March 16 culminates the 75 days for us, and gosh darn it I DID IT...THE WHOLE FREAKING THING!   Was it easy? NOPE.  Did I love every minute of it? NOPE.  Did I shed a few tears and hav

As many of you know, I have been diagnosed with PCOS.  It is a gem of a disease that really is different for each person diagnosed as is how it is dealt with.   Thanks to my first two prescriptions (metformin and spironolactone), we seem to have gotten my periods to be predictable and not as bad, which is definitely a win; however, the back pain and getting sick (I will spare you the details) prior to my period are still there and at times unbearable.  I also notice I have dark circles under my eyes almost always (another PCOS symptom).   Of course, one of the most trying symptoms of PCOS is weight gain, and it is with this symptom I struggle with the most.  Every time I go to my PCP or my ObGyn, we talk about how I am in the Obese category and how this is unacceptable.  I know this.  It breaks my heart and mind to be in this category. I literally cry about it at least once a week (shout out to my amazing husband for dealing with me). I do so much every day to combat this label: I work

Nope, VISION is not my word for 2021. First, let me say that I have never done the word of the year thing, but this year I am. My word?   MINDFUL:    focusing one's awareness on the present moment,  especially as part of a therapeutic or meditative technique. As I continue my struggle with PCOS and old (back pain, weight gain, fatigue, dark circles under my eyes) and new symptoms (headaches and sleeplessness) and continue on my journey to be the best me possible, I found this word is the word I need. Too often it is easy to get caught up in  a week from now... a month from now... a year from now... but what about THE NOW ?  It is in THE NOW where I think I am missing the simple joys of life, and for that I am excited to use my word of 2021 to help me stay grounded and in THE NOW. Also, I have decided to throw away the  RESOLUTION :  a firm decision to do or not to do something. and adopt   INTENTION :   a mental state that represents a commitment to carrying out an action or action

In February I posted about my health issues. This is the "new part" of that story... I left off knowing I was going to the PA at the endocrinologist's office (I could not see the actual doctor as his first available appointment is Nov 2020).  When Mark and I went, I spent 40 minutes re-living the "hell" I was going through.  She seemed interested/concerned, asked follow up questions to my very detailed story, and offered hints as to what could be causing my struggle. She had me referred to get blood work, and said we would be in touch. I left feeling optimistic. That optimism turned into frustration when the receptionist (not the PA) called and informed me my blood work was fine, but I was going to be put on Synthroid. I asked why I was being put on a medicine if my blood work was fine, she said she didn't know. I asked her to find out.  I asked what the side effects are (because if there are side effects...I get them x10).  She reminded me she isn&#