I was just reading over past blog posts on thee old health blog, and I realized I never followed up on the hip cortisone shot post that I wrote in July. As well as a few other items to follow up on.

Reader’s Digest version of the cortisone shot experience: The cortisone shot worked. And then it didn’t.

The hip felt great for about 2 months max. No pain, my and weight training felt better. But then, as I feared, since I have no cartilage left in my hip joint, the shot wore off faster than I had hoped. The hip started to ache again in late September and October. Last November and December were pretty brutal, and I gave some thought to moving my surgery up to spring or summer. I was so tired to being in pain, walking with a forward lean, not being able to run, and getting a cramp in my non-existent abs because I have to really use them to be able to reach my left shoe to tie it. Or to put my left sock on. Which led to…….

Smoking: Although I deluded myself into believing that I was a “binge smoker”, I “binged” for 7 months straight!!!! In October I learned that a friend of mine, a beautiful young woman with 2 small children, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She lives a healthy lifestyle and is a woman of faith. Learning of her diagnosis, and seeing her strength in taking cancer head-on, motivated me to finally quit smoking for good. October 20, 2017 was the day I had my last cigarette. I didn’t have to fight the urge to smoke, but I learned very quickly how long it takes for all those chemicals to get out of one’s system. I didn’t start feeling like myself until December. I was crabby, tired, had all kinds of food cravings….and I gained 20 lbs. I was happy to be doing something good for my lungs and heart though. I figure I can lose pounds and be back at a healthy weight, but I won’t have healthy lungs if I continued to do damage to them daily. Just last week I was really stressed about something and I had the urge to smoke. I went for a walk instead. 🙂 One more week and I’ll be 5 months smoke-free. #YayMe

Medications: I have started to taper off one of my meds that I’ve taken for almost 2 years. Last year I tried to taper off of it, started taking a reduced dose, and my anxiety shot through the roof within a couple of days. Had to go back to the full dose. I’m at a month now of taking a reduced dose and all is well!! Going back for a med check soon to see if I can reduce it even more. My goal is to be off both of my meds by the end of the year.

FitBit Nation: Yep, I’m a member now. I bought a used FitBit from a friend of mine (former student of mine, and now my work colleague) and I L.O.V.E. my FitBit. I was all over it last summer, wearing it all the time, getting my steps in, etc. Then this past fall when everything you read in the paragraphs above happened, I kind of forgot about my beloved FitBit. I’m back to wearing it and even participating in some challenges my friend Shannon invites me to.

Social Work Career Goals: I have an approved training plan to get my upper level licensure and I’ve started accruing hours and logging clinical supervision hours. I continue to love my job and feeling more confident all the time.

And…..OMG….my big “5-0” birthday is coming up quick!!!!!!!

I am feeling really good. I’ve made some changes in addition to giving up artificial sweeteners that I am looking forward to writing about soon. Stay tuned……