Cancer/illnesses, and caregiver, support thread

[gnalan]

I've got some blown discs in my lower back and over the last two years I've been getting "dry needle" treatments every six months or so. It works, it reduces the pain by maybe half.

It's vaguely similar to acupuncture. Vaguely. It's a new type of procedure, and because physical therapists can do it, it's more available/cheaper than a doctor outpatient procedure.

After two years of treatment how do you feel vs before the dry needle treatment?

[gnalan]

I went to PT again yesterday, which was my fifth visit of the 12 I'm scheduled for, and started doing some different exercises.

One thing I'm doing there now is laying on my back and pushing with my legs to lift weights, which slides what I'm laying on back and forth depending on if I'm lifting or lowering the weights. (I don't know what the torture device is called lol.) I was really feeling it in my thighs when I left, and after I got home I was so worn out I ended up taking a much needed nap, but I'm still making good progress.

The angles of my knees were measured again, while on said torture device, and even though one knee wants to keep bending the other one doesn't so I can only do as much as the stiffer of the two will allow.

I'm sure the measurements were a little skewed because both of my knees were at the same angle, 62 degrees, on the device. When I got measured on my first visit my left knee would only bend 53 degrees and the right would only bend 58 degrees, and straight the left one was at 0 and the right one was at 13 (I don't know what that measurement is know since it wasn't measured too). 9 and 5 degree increases are pretty good progress, in my opinion, and as I told my PT if that's all I get I'm ok with it because I can move around, walk, drive, and do what I need to do. I may not be able to walk for as long as I used to, or even stand in one spot for more than a few minutes without my knees hurting, but I'm a lot more independent than I was.

More improvement would be nice to have, but I feel blessed to have what I do and I no longer take anything/anyone for granted.

This whole process has been a wake up call, and made me reevaluate who I am as a person and what I want to do with my life. I know photography is something I really want to do, just as a hobby, and have what I need for it already (except a tripod). I even started a photography thread so when I can get out in nature, and walk through grass and on uneven ground easier, I can share some of my favorite places and views with everyone.

I'm really glad I bought a Volvo, and even more thankful for finding this forum. I've made some new friends here, and in a time when I really needed someone to talk to (other than my counselor I see weekly) I feel like I can do that with this thread. And I can never thank everyone enough for the help with parts/services, and the great advice found here, when I really needed it through the FRPP.

If anyone needs to talk/vent, please don't hesitate to post in this thread. It's not just for me but for all of us. That was the reason I started this thread in the first place was so we can all come together and give each other support.

[matthew1]

Sounds like you're making progress! Excellent.

Dry needle wears off, but it's measured in months. It's really a stepping stone to be able to stretch and build muscle rather than a solution. I've found stretching to be the closest thing to a cure. I'm going to snowboard this weekend for the first time in around 15 years, and I'm stretching every day and doing thigh strength exercises. I'm going to wear a helmet and a back brace. How I long for my 20s.

[gnalan]

Sounds like you're making progress! Excellent.

Dry needle wears off, but it's measured in months. It's really a stepping stone to be able to stretch and build muscle rather than a solution. I've found stretching to be the closest thing to a cure. I'm going to snowboard this weekend for the first time in around 15 years, and I'm stretching every day and doing thigh strength exercises. I'm going to wear a helmet and a back brace. How I long for my 20s.

Yes, still making progress and proud of myself for it.

I've never gone snowboarding but wanted to when I lived in Spokane, Washington just never got around to it.

I'm going to be 40 this year. I don't know if I miss my 20s, but people I've lost I miss. I'm looking forward to my 40s though. In my mind I still feel like I'm a teenager, but when I move around reality sets in and I feel a lot older than 40 unless this is how 40 is supposed to feel.

[matthew1]

I’m bringing up to the mountains a heating pad, Naproxen, and a topical analgesic, because I’m 51 now.

But I’ll get to snowboard with my son for the first time. I’ll post photos.

[gnalan]

I’m bringing up to the mountains a heating pad, Naproxen, and a topical analgesic, because I’m 51 now.

But I’ll get to snowboard with my son for the first time. I’ll post photos.

I'm sure Oliver will enjoy snowboarding as much as you will. I'm looking forward to pics.

51 is still young to be going through what you are. I'm sure it's not easy sometimes, but I'm proud of you, Matt. With all that you've got going on you still get up and conquer the day, not only for yourself but for your son too. You're a great person, father, and friend.

[abscate]

Snowboarding Is a lot tougher on you than skiing, I think.

I left a job on MT and went back for a farewell at 52 and skiied Big Sky for the height of MT Everest, took me 10-11 runs. My last one was down the green slope just admiring the view. First time I had been on skis since 1985!

I did one Black diamond early on but took it nice and Easy.

[kallekula]

People with snowboard are the ones that never learned how to ski properly (joke)
Last time I went skiing we were in Mammouth. I was totally out of shape. Three runs and then i was done! Spent the rest of the day working on my tan at the restaurant by the skilift pounding beers

[volvolugnut]

Skiing is a surprising full body workout. I have never lived closer than a day's drive to a ski area. My last skiing was about 1988. I did manage to ski at Breckenridge, A Basin, Copper Mountain, Wolf Creek, Crested Butte, and Keystone during my younger years. Lift tickets were much cheaper then.
volvolugnut

[matthew1]

Day tickets are extremely expensive now. A ticket for tomorrow at Breckenridge is $179, according to https://www.breckenridge.com/plan-your- ... roup=Adult

When I was in HS/college here, late 1980s-early 1990s, we would go to King Soopers (like a Safeway... a large grocery store) and get tickets for $20-$24, depending on the resort. Without that, a ticket was around $40. That was how we got the locals price.

The good news is season passes aren't as much as you would think, given that $179 price. Season passes are about $800.

It ain't cheap.