Epihpanies and Illiopsoas Muscles

Blahhhh! After 12 years in classes of some sort or another, 5 different majors, 4 different schools, a million headaches and frustrations balancing full time work, full time kids, full time school and full time emotional basketcase, I just received a passing grade on my last critical assignment before I graduate on May 11th. I know bachelors degrees are run of the mill these days, and honestly, it represents $50K in debt more than success or the garauntee of a good job, but still, hey, I did it. I cannot tell you the relief I feel. I am not sure that if I hadn't had Josh here for the last few terms, pushing me and buying in 100%, that I wouldn't have quit just before the finish line. I was pretty burnt out. So I guess I have to give him credit. At least part. :)

I am so excited. To not have school. To find some work I like (after the summer). To move. To feel better. To be less... miserable.

I saw a chiropractor the other day who adjusted my back (I had 4 ribs out and he called my lumbar a 2nd grade strain) but what was really cool was the physical therapist he works with called me out on my Psoas Muscle, the hip flexor that attaches near the lumbar/thorassic transition and winds through the abdomen/pelvic cavity and attaches at the top of the inside of the femur. Referred pain from a damaged illiopsoas can be felt in the lower back and LOW PELVIS, for men, even testicularly. What if all this ouch down there on the left side is a pulled or torn muscle that I have been abusing? It makes sense with the activity induced pain. We shall see. I am going back for some more therapy, and have stretching and strengthening assignments. And MUST GET BACK TO YOGA!!!

It's hard for me to stay focused at work, partially because I am ADD and partially because I am ready to move on. I am absolutely amazed at the difference in my energy level - I have no idea what to attribute that to so I am going to give credit to the surgery. I actually WANT to do things. All kinds of things. Like running and skipping and things that are hard for me. We hiked up Pilot Butte last night. Not a huge mountain, but enough for me to be proud of! Today it's raining, which dulls my enthusiasm, but I will probably find something to do.

I am still off of sugar, dairy and grains. But I am counting the minutes to Saturday when I have decided to let cheese back into my life. What is Cinco De Mayo without cheese? Seriously? I. Can't. Wait. I have been fantasizing about chips and salsa and beans and rice for days.

Ok, I gotta go hook up a big trailer to a big truck to pick up a big tent for a big event this weekend. Wish I could just go shopping and meet some friends for lunch. Too bad you're all so far away!