Week 33: aches, pains and mobility issues

Waist: 39.5 inches
Weight: 139 lbs

Cravings: steak, apples, wilted spinach, egg salad sandwiches, pico de gallo.

We never know how much we take for granted in our lives until something goes awry.
For the past four years I've been dealing with chronic back and pelvic pain due to injuries sustained in an auto accident. How does this relate to being pregnant? Well, the pregnancy exacerbates the pain because of all the hormones in my system telling my muscles and ligaments to relax for the impending birth. This flexible state sets up an unstable situation which causes excruciating pain many, many times a day.

The simplest tasks are most difficult. Getting in and out of bed are very painful. I have no strength in my left hip flexors, so it takes me about five minutes to get into place. I can't roll over without thinking the whole process through and then bracing myself for the pain. Waking up is the most painful of the day because the dog wants out and Finnegan is ready to go eat and my body is very stiff. My mobility is so poor that I must brace myself against the walls wherever I go and use everything in my path for stability; chairs, rails, stairs etc.

It's not fun. This weekend was particularly unpleasant as I was pretty much out of commission. Doug had to cook, clean and bring everything to me because every move I made was painful and I was so unsteady on my feet. I felt really helpless, but there was nothing I could do except take Tylenol which didn't do much.

Today I had to go to work and didn't make it there until after 2:00 p.m. , I started getting ready at 11:30 a.m. Showering and dressing takes at least 40 minutes. Dressing Finnegan 15 minutes. Preparing lunch and eating 30 -45 minutes. It's a long process.

When we were getting ready to leave and walking to the car, Finnegan decided to run down the sidewalk while I locked up the house. I kept calling after him to return to me, but he just ran faster and then he was gone around the corner. I had to will my body to walk faster and catch up the Finnegan as I yelped the whole way. Did I mention the snow and ice? Slippery surfaces make movement even more hazardous.

After getting Finnegan buckled into his car seat I turned to closed the car door and I could not move. A pain running down my left leg kept me frozen in place and I was stuck. There was no one there to help me and I had to stand there for about five minutes building up the courage to move despite the pain. When I did make the move, I yelled out in pain and Finnegan repeated me, "Ay yi yi!" He thought is was so funny.
But, I managed to hobble to the driver's side of the car and settle myself in for the drive to the studio.

Thankfully my business partner, Rachele, and assistant, Corrie, understand what I am going through and they help me with everything while I'm at work. I just tell them what I need and they bring it to me. I have such a, "Can do" mind set that it's hard for me to ask for help for everything, but that's what I have to do.

I guess it's time to wrap this up because my upper back is aching from sitting upright too long and this baby is kicking up a storm. The upside to all of this is that things should start feeling better in about eight weeks and then the real fun begins.