Exercising with a new diagnosis

Since December last year, I have been suffering with a bit of joint pain in my fingers, especially at night. At the same time I started an exercise regime with a Biokineticist and suddenly I started developing discomfort in my left knee. Originally I thought I just did a terrible breast stroke, as the pain would develop after a swim, but then I stopped swimming and started walking instead, and the pain just got worse. For those that does not know, breast stroke is the stroke that causes the most injuries in swimmers because of the technique! Who knew! One does learn something useless, yet interesting every day! Anyway......

At the time my husband then noticed that I stepped “funny” when walking, so the Biokineticist gave me some exercises to help me with that, which seemed to help, but soon the pain started setting in again. I eventually went to see my Doctor for a diagnosis, whom suspected that my finger and knee pain were linked, and after x-rays and blood tests, he confirmed what he suspected, an early onset of Osteoarthritis. I was not surprised, as in my case it is genetic and the extra bit of weight which I am carrying probably has not helped. LOL! The diagnosis has not been all doom and gloom, as we have caught it in the extremely early stages so we can slow down the progression with exercise, since it is a type of arthritis where exercise is actually encouraged.

Upon diagnosis, my Dr wanted me to give my knee a bit of a rest, which meant no treadmill or long distance walking for a week, followed by a few sessions with a Physiotherapist. Unfortunately for me, the week I was supposed to start with Physio, was also the week we were sent into lock-down. I gave her a call in a panic, explained my diagnosis and she recommended walking in a pool instead, with no “heavy weight” bearing exercises. Easier said than done, since unfortunately I do not have access to one at home. A frantic email later to my Biokinetiticist and I am set up with mat exercises to keep me going until I can get to a pool.

Where to am I going with all of this? Life hits you with such unexpected surprises. You think you are in the best of health since you do live a relatively healthy lifestyle with your food choices and daily exercise routine and then boom, your genetics lets you down! You accept it, since you have no choice, and you start researching the be-jingles out of it, so that you do get and stay ahead of it. Then another blow and you cannot do the exercise that is best suited for this sort of thing, walking in the pool, because of COVID19! You’ve already been given lemons and now you cannot even make lemonade with it! Once again I am forced to make do with what I have and I always have enjoyed a bit of lemon curd, so I might as well get going with the mat. This has become a part of my morning ritual where I work on my arms, legs and core and I must admit, that I am enjoying it immensely, although an hour walk in the pool each day, would have been first prize!

How adaptable are you? Do you make the most of what you have and change your recipe or do you stop baking? Change is hard! And unsupported change is even harder! I am in the fortunate position to be surrounded by great medical professions that have supported me and help me adapt to a new recipe, that not only benefits me now, but also in the long run.

Surround yourself with people that have your best interest in mind. Be adaptable and accept that change is part of life. When life gives you lemons, make sure you can make both lemonade and lemon curd at the same time!

Until next time…….

Love, light and positive change,

Ophelia