Monday, October 29, 2012

Quickie Post Before the Power Goes out Forever

Okay, maybe not forever.  But I heard on the radio earlier that "we can expect millions of people to experience power outages for several weeks".  I somehow feel like that's not true.  And I seriously hope that I'm right and the whether people are wrong.  Because if they're right, my town is exactly located in the "lose power for a few weeks" region of this whole mess.  Great.  So I haven't really been productive today because I'm convinced that the minute I begin any worthwhile task the power will go out.  So  far we've been lucky though, we haven't lost power yet.  It looks like the storm is going to hit here at around eight tomorrow morning...and then hang out for twenty four hours.  Yes.  The storm is planning on hanging out right on top of us for an entire day.  Thanks Sandy. 

I know this wasn't really a dance-related post.  Hmmm, how can I spin this.  I know...I don't think I'll have to work (at the dance studio) tomorrow.  They already cancelled school tomorrow...actually, school was canceled for today and tomorrow at five o'clock last night.  I guess they were worried about losing power and not being able to get in touch with us. 

Eeek.  The lights are flickering.  I'm outta here.

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Franken-boots

Stock up on milk and toilet paper...Frankenstorm is coming!!  I guess depending on where you live that might not really matter to you, but I live in an area that's supposed to get hit pretty bad.  That's the current prediction anyway.  I get why it's being called Frankenstorm...because it's scary and conveniently close to Halloween.  It's also ironically similar to something else that's happening in my life...


I broke both of my feet.  And now I have to tramp around in these Franken-boots for a month.  Cuuute.

So when I say "I broke both of my feet" it sounds like there was some tragic accident that caused the sudden breaking of both of my feet.  That, however, is not the case.  It just turns out that the foot pain I've been experiencing since June was actually broken-ness.  I feel like I should explain further...

So.  The reason a fracture was initially ruled out was because of something called a bipartite sesamoid.  Which the doctor thought I had.  Here's how this happens...

There are two little bones in the balls of your foot called the sesamoid bones.


See those two orb shapes in the middle of the picture.  Those are the sesamoid bones.  A bipartite sesamoid looks like this...


See how one of the orbs is in two pieces?  So anyway.  A bipartite sesamoid can be caused by a fracture, but it also can be a genetic thing.  It's just the way your bones formed and it doesn't cause any problems.  The doctor had an x-ray of one foot that she had taken when I was having arch pain.  That x-ray was where she first noticed the bipartite sesamoid, and when she took an x-ray of the other foot there was an identical sesamoid situation, which caused her to believe that it was simply inflammation of the bones. 

After time off didn't help (I know this post is just repeating information I've given in the past, but I'm trying to keep it flowing in a logical manner) she wanted to take an MRI to rule out fractures.  The treatment for inflammation is cortisone injections directly into my feet, which would be detrimental to any fractures.  So I did that.

Okay, new stuff.  I saw the doctor for my MRI results on Thursday and she told me that BOTH of my feet are broken.  I couldn't believe it.  I was 100% positive that my feet were not broken and that the MRI was a waste of time and money.  I mean, my feet don't even hurt all the time.  It's completely random.  But I guess I'll have to trust the medical professionals on this one.

My doctor said she was shocked too.  She told me that when she got the results back she double checked them herself in case the radiology techs were seeing things.  When she came to the same conclusion she had a colleague look at them too.  Everyone agrees that both feet are broken.  My doctor told me that neither she nor her colleague had ever seen anyone break the bone I broke, the way I broke it, in both feet simultaneously.  Which is why she never suspected the break initially.  I asked her how long she though they'd been fractured and she told me probably since I first started being bothered by the pain.....which was about four months ago.  Crazy.

As for the Frankenboots.  I have to wear them most of the day although I can take them off to sleep and shower.  It's against the law to drive with them on, even the one on my left foot, so I take them off for that.  I'm also allowed to continue swimming since it doesn't put any weight on my feet, I just need to take a few weeks off of flip turns and starting block usage. 

All in all it could be worse.  I pretty much just laugh at it.  I mean, who the hell breaks both of their feet at the same time and doesn't realize it for four months?  My life is a mess.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

The MRI Machine

I got an MRI yesterday.  It was terrible!  Have you ever gotten an MRI?  No?  Well, my friend, let me enlighten you on some rules that I wish I had know.

First order of business.  When you go to get an MRI do not wear a bright blue thong under your jeans.  Why?  Because the MRI machine is a giant magnet (I was aware of this, just not thinking when I got dressed.  Always think.) so you are not allowed to wear anything metal inside of it.  Pants zippers included.  So, when you have a zipper on your jeans the doctor will give you a pair of scrub-type pants to wear.  And if they happen to be a white-ish, see-through color, everyone will gain the knowledge of your bright blue thong.  Similarly, the hooks on a bra count so unless you wish to free-boob it through the hospital, you might want to consider a sports bra.

Next.  The doctor will probably tell you that the machine is "a little noisy".  She is lying, unless her definition of "a little noisy" means the same volume as a jackhammer jackhammer-ing on a bus full of pre-teen school children who are on their way home from the soda and marshmallow factory.  The machine basically makes the same buzzing sound that a drier makes when the clothes are dry, only much louder and pretty much non-stop.

Finally, just be aware that it takes a long freaking time.  I was in there for an hour, which is probably standard.

So why in the world did I have an MRI?  It's to hopefully clear up once and for all what is happening to my feet.  The doctor wants to completely rule out fractures (I highly doubt they are fractured) before proceeding with any course of treatment.  I see her next week to go over what's happening, so I'll update again then.

Friday, October 12, 2012

When I Grow Up...

When I was a little girl and people asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up I told them I wanted to be a mama.  No joke, I wanted to be a stay at home mom when I was little.  But I'm not little anymore.

Exactly one month from today I turn 18 years old.  I don't even know how to handle that.  I know 18 is far from grown up, I still feel like a baby, but it is legally an adult.  Crazy!  So now that I only have a month left until I'm "grown up"...what do I want to do?

Everyone kind of assumes that I'll be going into the dance field.  Welp, they're wrong.  I did want to dance forever when I was younger, but not anymore.  People just don't know me like they think they do.

Well I certainly won't be a stay at home mom anytime soon.  Obviously.  Maybe someday, but as of now I have different aspirations.  As for college I'm still kind of unsure.  Definitely something medical.  Possibly physical therapy or nursing.  Hopefully through ROTC.  Probably in Pittsburg.  Although there is a lot of uncertainty still left in those choices.  Eeek.  Then from there, who knows.  But that's just one aspect of my life.

Do I ever want to get married?  Probably.  I mean, I have nothing against marriage.  If I find the right guy and he wants to get married, I'll probably let it happen.  But do I want a wedding?  As of right now, almost-18-and-tragically-single Mary Kate says no way.  That's not me being bitter, it's just me being realistic.  All of the decisions and planning and perfecting and organizing and inviting would really just stress the shit out of me.  I wouldn't enjoy that at all.  Not to mention the expense.  It's a waste.  I told my mom I was getting hitched in Vegas. 

Do I ever want to have kids?  Yes.  No.  I don't know.  I love children, I really do.  And the idea of having my own to love and cherish until they grow into their own person, that sounds super rewarding.  But it's also a giant project that's permanent and lasts for years.  Scary.  I mean, I really do believe that I'll be a good mom someday, but I don't know if I can tackle a project like that...I can barely focus on one set of calculus problems!

So basically I have no idea what the hell is happening in my life.  And with only one month left of my childhood I really hope I figure things out.  Like, soon!

Monday, October 8, 2012

I'm not Short I'm Weird Sized

You know those t-shirts that say "I'm not short I'm fun sized!"?  Do you hate them as much as I do?  Like, what the heck is fun sized?  Is it referring to the small "fun sized" candy bars?  Because I find those candy bars to be rather disappointing and not at all fun.  People just take it all too far.  There is actually a girl at my school who refers to herself as "bite sized".  No joke.  But whateves, you do things your way and I'll do 'em my way.

Okay, none of that was really related to the main topic of this post.  I just tend write things in a stream of consciousness format, oops.  So anyway, what I really was thinking about writing was about my personal size.  As in my measurements.  You know, the kind you achieve with one of those bendy tape measure-ers that you wrap around yourself to discover how many inches you are.

Being a dancer, you get measured a lot for costumes.  And since I've been pretty much the same size since I was in 7th grade, I pretty much know my measurements, give or take a couple inches.

The other day I was ordering a swimsuit online (because I'm a swimmer now...which is still kind of hard to realize) and my mom told me to make sure I measure myself so I can get the right size.  I told her I already knew them and she didn't believe me.  So we made a bet (except we didn't wager anything more than bragging rights so it wasn't that thrilling).

Here were my initial guesses (in inches):

Bust:  32
Waist:  29
Hips:  39
Girth:  64

Now here were the real measurements:

Bust:  32
Waist:  29.5
Hips:  40
Girth:  64 (we had to estimate that one though because our tape measure-er only went up to 60...in dance class my teacher had to use two put together to measure me).

BAM.  Who's awesome?  This girl.  I was pretty much spot on!

So then, I was thinking about my measurements and I was like "Woah.  My body is super weird shaped".

Let's analyze this.  First, my boobs are only two inches bigger than my waist.  #tinytitties.  Next, my butt is ten full inches bigger than my waist...ten!  Finally, my girth is 64 inches, that is 5'4", which is as tall as my mother.  Bizarre?  I think yes.

Friday, October 5, 2012

Oh Boy.

So remember those feet problems I've been having?  Sesamoiditis and Plantar Fasciitis?  Yeah.  They're still here.  I had a follow up appointment with my podiatrist today, and I didn't expect good news.  My feet were doing better for a little while one my resting and Advil regiment, but about two weeks ago they decided they were going to hurt again.  A lot.  My feet throb all day everyday.  With one exception, but we'll get to that later.

So the doctor said it was a little strange that my feet were still bothering me after so long, so she wants to do an MRI to rule out possible fractures.  That will be in a week or so.  Until then I'm just supposed to continue to try and stay off of it.  Which means no dance.  :(

So guess what I did.  I joined the swim team.  Well, technically I just showed up to a preseason practice as a back up plan in case I couldn't go back to dance...which is the case.  So I'll be joining the swim team.  And I honestly think I'll enjoy it!  Even if I don't love it, my feet don't hurt when I'm in the water, so I'm going to stick with it just for a few hours a day where my feet don't hurt.

That's all for now.  Over and out.

MK