Knee Injury

UPDATE:
Howdy!
So...after lots of nagging from my friends I finally caved and went to see a Doctor about my knee. Its a good thing I did because there is a possibility that its worse than I originally thought!
As of right now all I have been diagnosed with is Patella Tendinitis/Sprain. I got put on Anti-Inflammatory medication and have been told to take it easy, wrap it, ice it, etc (basically everything that I have already been doing). Its been a week since I last injured it but I haven't babied it as much as I should have so he told me to give it another week to heal. The worse news and the news that has everyone freaked out is that I may have torn my Meniscus (cartilage in the knee). If I have done this then it requires surgery to fix it (laparoscopic). The doctor didn't do any x-rays or an MRI, he did everything by touch. He is worried that I might have torn my Meniscus because of the way my knee is moving, where the pain is located, and because of the symptoms of the pain and movement. He told me I definitely haven't broken or fractured anything because I can still walk..at least there's some good news. He told me that whatever damage is done is done and that it can't get any worse so he is allowing me to continue to train (everything but running; ex. biking, push-ups, sit-ups, and strengthening exercises) but he also told me to take it easy!!! He wouldn't give me the odds even though I pressured him for them but from the sounds of it it is a high possibility. So, in a week I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon to have MRIs done and to see exactly what is going on. I'm glad my friends pressured me into going to see the doctor but I'm frustrated too because it looks like its turning out to be more than just a simple sprain.
Obviously I was in pretty much freak out mode after my visit. I was terrified of getting kicked out of the Army and the possibility of my career coming to a sudden stop due to training. I talked to my Sergeant, and got a bunch of good news. He's going continue to train with me (just no running for the next week). He said if worse comes to worse I will be recycled but not kicked out. He bragged about me to the other Sergeants, Recruiters, and Recruits and said how extremely proud of me he was for pushing through even when it hurt and when I wanted to give up. He had me talk to Mr. Boss to see what I should do (if I should go and see Army personnel). But most importantly he encouraged me; I was down and upset because I have made a ton of progress since I first started training a month ago and I was worried that I would lose some of my progress, he told me that we would continue to train and work on other area's of weakness for the week as well as build up my leg muscles so I don't injure myself again. He felt bad because I can't get a break, one thing after another keeps happening to me. He has pushed me (which I've needed) but I know its not his fault for my injury and I don't blame him. As I have said before and as I will continue to say I am not giving up on this dream; I will succeed, I will become a Soldier, and I will make it through this bump in the road.
Please pray that it is a simple sprain and not a Meniscus tear!!
Heather

ORIGINAL:
Hey Everyone,

So by now everyone probably knows that I have injured my left knee. I don't exactly know when, where, or how I injured it but my guess is and my Sergeant's guess is on Tuesday of last week. We were going running and the asphalt was still damp and had debris on it from the rain. There was a stick laying on the track, I was paying attention to where I was running and what I was doing but I didn't expect anything to happen. I slipped on the stick, nothing happened: I didn't lose my balance or fall or twist anything and I just kept on running. We also did sprints, squats, and lunges (which me being a klutz usually ends up with me landing on my butt). So, I have no idea when or where I twisted my knee is could of been running or it could of been during the after run PT. Well, later that night I noticed my knee was beginning to hurt but I didn't think anything of it, my knees always hurt after running especially after running long distances. The next day when I went to run on my own it was extremely painful but I have learned to push through the pain, but on Thursday it was even worse. Thursday I ended up walking most of the trail instead of running, which I haven't done in a very very long time (well not that long but a while). Later Thursday night when I was looking at it and trying to figure out why it hurt so bad I noticed that it was slightly swollen, I just ignored it not thinking anything of it. It was still bothering me and the pain was getting increasingly worse; it started hurting not only when running but while walking or something as simple as moving my knee. Saturday was future soldiers and I wasn't going to let my knee stop me, well it decided it was going make me stop. We were playing soccer and I couldn't run, I couldn't do anything, but I just kept pushing through it (I only have 21 days left I'm not going get recycled, I'm going continue to fight this if it kills me) well my knee went out on me. I was on the ground, in extreme pain. I brought it up with my Sergeant and asked him what I needed to do, he said to rest it don't do any physical activity and take it easy until Tuesday. He mentioned that I need to be wrapping it, icing it, and taking ibuprofen. I started doing what he told me to, and it started to get better (after getting worse; it went through a phase where I couldn't do anything without it hurting like hell). Yesterday (Tuesday) was my next meeting/run and PT session with my recruiter. I thought about not showing up because I didn't want to mess my knee up anymore than I already had, but I had a burning desire to go running and I wasn't going let my knee or advice from anyone else stop me. I went and I ran, it hurt but it wasn't unbearable until about 1/2 way in. The hills on the trail is what bothered me so when there was a hill (not a bump but an actual hill) I would stop and walk and then continue to run and I did this the entire time. We only did 2 miles because of the heat advisory, and I didn't run my best but I couldn't because of my knee. My Sergeant was proud of me but was also worried that I was going to do something to my knee. He must not have been too worried because I heard him bragging and telling everyone that they needed to keep pushing because a month ago I couldn't run at all and now I am kicking their butts with a bummed out knee; it did make me feel pretty good. As usual after our run we do PT, on Tuesdays its a core work-out. It wasn't five minutes into it when I was on the verge of tears because my knee was killing me so bad, but I'm a fighter and I'm going to push through it! I iced the knee, re-wrapped it, and took some ibuprofen and was on my way it still hurt but I wasn't going let it stop me. This morning I woke-up with an extremely painful knee, I have it wrapped and I've been doing as I'm told as far as taking care of it. I've been told by several people to go see a doctor but I refuse, I honestly think that all I've done is twist it. I don't want to be recycled (put into a later unit), and I'm going continue to train and push myself until I die I'm strong and I can make it through this even if it kills me!!!

I wanted to let everyone know what was going on but now I'm going go take off and hang out with my best friend!
Heather

Fourth Future Soldier Meeting

Hey Everyone,

So Saturday was my fourth future soldier meeting! We played a little bit of soccer (my team lost like it usually does but in my opinion its not fair because the other team had all guys and several soccer players while my team had all the girls and some guys with no soccer players) and then went over rank structure (which was good because that's one area that I'm struggling with memorizing). After that we had question and answer from a soldier that just finished training. He had gone to Ft Leonard Wood which is awesome because that's where I'm going and since he just went its the most accurate advice. He mentioned that the worst part was 43rd Battalion (AKA: Reception Week); that doesn't help my nerves any because reception week is what I'm the most worried about. He said that they do shark attack (which is where Drill Sergeants line up and you have to fight past them, and are incredibly mean). He mentioned that the Drill Sergeants you have at during basic are better than the ones you have at reception. He said that everything is mental, which I have heard a million times. He said your three favorite phrases will become: Yes, Drill Sergeant; No, Drill Sergeant; and Right Away, Drill Sergeant. He also said that it will become some of your best memories so enjoy it for what its worth; I think that is probably my favorite words of advice because it is one thing that you only get to/have to do once in your life and you will make some of your life long friends during the nine week period.

I'm still not nervous, I'm worried about not being prepared since I twisted my knee but other than that I'm not nervous. I have one more meeting 4 days before I leave for basic and then I'm done. I will say I have made some amazing friends at future soldiers and I will miss them!
Heather

One Month Countdown! YAY

Hey Everyone,

Its official I have exactly one month until I leave for basic training. Its hard to believe it feels so close but so far away all at the same time!!! I've made lots of progress but still have lots to do, I am enjoying being out of the soreness phase it makes work-outs a lot more enjoyable. I think my body has finally adapted to all the work-outs and I feel really great instead of extremely sore to the point of not wanting to move! Running has become therapy for me, I like it a lot better when I have other people to run with it doesn't make it drag on for so long. As far as push-ups and sit-ups go they are still my worst enemy!!!

I'm so ready for this journey to begin and I know these last 31 days are going fly by! I have the Relay for Life in Republic this Friday (time to knock out another 5 mile run), then I have Grand Assembly, then I head to Vegas, and 2 weeks after I get back from Vegas its time for me to leave!

It feels like its been forever since I enlisted, the countdown was at 74 days the day I enlisted and now I'm at 31 its only been a little over a month but it seems like its been so much longer than that!

Tonight I'm going to dinner with my daddy. I broke the news to him last week but I haven't sat down and told him all the details and I think he's finally gotten over the shock and is ready to listen! I pray it goes well.

I'm taking the day off from running but I really need to do push-ups and sit-ups and probably my work-out DVD tonight! I've been bad and realized its been almost a week since I did my push-ups and sit-ups! Oops, time to make that up tonight! I'm so ready for Tuesday and my run with my Sergeant; I've made a lot of progress since our run on Thursday (those five miles I did on Friday night really proved to me my limits, I was successfully able to push myself, and my run yesterday went really well) I have no doubt in my mind that I will successfully be able to do our 4 mile run!!!

I'm go going and get some PT out of the way before tonight!
Heather

P.S. I hope to see everyone at my surprise party! Contact my mommy if you need the details!!!

I'm Making Progress!!

Well, after getting nagged by my mom I thought I would update everyone! There isn't much going on other than lots and lots of PT.

Sergeant Carroll, Me, and two other recruits ran on Tuesday and Thursday. Tuesday it was so muggy, that when it finally started to rain it felt great! We ran for 3 miles on Tuesday. I was going run on Wednesday with a girl that just finished training but she needed to postpone and take her truck to the shop and I never heard back from her. I failed to do anything on Wednesday but Thursday was another running session with Sergeant Carroll. We ran for 4 miles on Thursday. It was miserable outside!!! When we run we go in intervals; obviously he has us run as far as possible and then he pushes up even farther but when we get to the point where we need help he has us walk, jog, run, sprint, over and over and over again until we get to the end point! His strategies really work and help when running on my own. We didn't get to do push-ups or sit-ups on either day (Tuesday because it was raining and Thursday because Sergeant had a doctor's appointment); but did have us to squats, lunges, sprints, and run backwards (all things that hurt and make you extremely sore the next day), he also makes sure we stretch really really well after a run because it improves flexibility which is turn helps with running! Yesterday night was the Relay for Life in Nixa. I walked a mile with my mom but then I jogged 4 miles!! I usually have a pretty hard time pushing myself when I run by myself but I used the same strategy that Sergeant Carroll uses when we run together. I would run as far as possible without stopping and when I wanted to stop I would push myself to another point on the track when I needed to stop I would slow down slowly (its better on the body rather than just stopping and start walking) and walk 20 steps, then I would start jogging again until I wanted to stop and then push myself and make myself run farther and harder with sprints and then repeating the entire process. It got me through the entire 4 miles and after I was done I felt like I was going be sick which means I got a good work-out and means that I pushed myself. I need to work on my time but my running has improved a ton!!! Sit-Ups and Push-Ups are still my worst enemies. I can do sit-ups just not in proper form and push-ups well they still have a lot to be desired. I'm going continue to work on them daily! In the morning I do strength exercises for my core and upper body and then in the evening I do pyramids (Push-Ups and Sit-Ups starting at 50 and going down in number until I reach 0). I have two weeks to pass my next PT test and I will pass it if it kills me!!!

Yesterday afternoon I went to drop off my transcripts for one of my promotions. My recruiter wasn't there but Sergeant Combs was (who was one of the recruiters that helped talk me into going active duty rather then reserves). He was asking about all my future soldier training stuff and I said I was done I just needed to pass the PT test to get the promotion. He completely busted my bubble!!! The test you have to take to get the promotion is a 2-2-2 it isn't that hard and it is the test that you take to graduate basic. He told me that there are only a handful of people that can actually pass the test; well I've been struggling with PT because I wasn't in-shape when I enlisted but my recruiter has been working with me really hard. Sergeant Carroll who is absolutely amazing told me he would do his part but I needed to do my part and if I did then I would be able to pass the test! I want it and I will get it but it definitely made me frustrated!!

Other than working on PT and continuing to study up on all my orders, ranks, and other general military information nothing exciting has been happening!! I'll write more soon.

Heather

Third Future Soldier's Meeting

Howdy-Hi!!!

So, I just got back from my third meeting of future soldiers!! We had a PT test today, it wasn't suppose to be PT but that's what it turned out to be. I must say I am royally upset at myself right now!!! I failed my run by 45 seconds....45 FREAKING SECONDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just collapsed they yelled my time to me and I knew I didn't pass so I just dropped to the ground. Sergeant Carroll literally picked me up and made me walk another lap to cool down so I wouldn't cramp up. The track was like hell; worse then running at Sequiota it felt like you were running in sand and the wind was blowing against me. So I had factors going against me plus I could of sprinted the last of it but my shoe came untied and I was trying not to stop but trying not to trip over the damn thing either!!! I must say I'm proud of myself because I did finish before 5 other guys, and three or four weeks ago it would have taken me double the time to finish! (I did it in 11:15 and was suppose to be able to finish it in 10:30). My push-ups and sit-ups still need help but they are getting better! All the guys knew how frustrated I was and tried to cheer me up as well as the other recruits but it didn't help to much. We put a plan together; I'm going try to pass the test on Tuesday or Thursday when I go running (me and Sergeant Carroll are doubling our running dates) but he said I still have another three weeks before I have to pass the tests (three weeks to pass the one mile and two mile). I'm being really hard on myself as I always am, I need to think positive instead of negative but its easier said then done!!!!

After the horrible PT test we worked on drill and ceremony for 90 minutes. I got it down really quickly and its not that bad. It is boring but not hard. There is just a lot to remember!!!! Sergeant Carroll said I did really good; there were several people that weren't so lucky and a bunch that was just goofing off.

That's about it for now. Until Later.
Heather

More Goodies!!!

Hey Everyone,

As some of you may know, I had yet to tell my daddy (Craig) about my joining the Army. My mom made me promise to do it by the end of the week. I was more nervous then I was when I was signing my contract; luckily my mom has told almost everyone for me so I didn't have to deal with the reactions except for this one. I thought he was going have a heart attack. The first thing out of his mouth was "YOU DID WHAT?!?!" He then went on to worry about me not finishing school (I will be going back to school the day I finish training); like his biggest fear was me not becoming a doctor (the Army is going give me a better chance to be a doctor then the civilian world would). He asked where I was going and I told him Ft Leonard Wood, he then thought it was in Texas I told him no Ft Sam Houston is in Texas which is where I will be going for medic training, he then thought it was in Oklahoma and I said that Ft Wiley was in Oklahoma, I finally told him again that Ft Leonard Wood was in Missouri about an hour and a half a way half way to St Louis!!! That conversation stressed me out so I went and painted the entire kitchen in a matter of a couple hours; I need to go and put a second/third coat on it today!

I'm having a surprise going away party as I have stated on Facebook and everyone is invited. Technically its not a surprise because my mom told me about it but I don't know any details; not when or where or anything else!!! Contact my mommy (Tammy) at (417)830-4970 or e-mail her at teejayweston@yahoo.com for details!!! Don't be surprised friends if you get a call from some random person, its probably my mom!!!

I'M GOING TO VEGAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My mom is booking all the details today, I'm so excited!!!!!!!!!! One last time to party it up before I start training (well other than the party). We're going from June 29th - July 2nd. Shopping, Shopping, Shopping, Sight Seeing, Shopping, Eating, Drinking, maybe Gambling, Shopping!!!!!! A girls best friend (even though I won't be able to buy anything due to the fact it won't fit me after training is over).

That's enough for now, write more later!
Heather

Happenings!!!

Hey..Again!!

I went running from noon to one this afternoon. It stinks, I hate it. I might be getting better but I still hate it with a passion!!! I went to Battlefield and back at Sequiota Park (its a little over a mile to Battlefield Road and then a mile back to the car). I won't lie I walked a little over half of it because I just didn't want to be out there running. I need to push myself but that is the department that I really struggle with. I did really well last week when I went running with Sergeant Carroll and he pushed me, which proves my hypothesis that I will do good in Basic because they are standing there pushing you to do it as well as your fellow soldiers! I know Sergeant Carroll would be very happy with me if I could pass the 2-2-2 PT test (2 mile run in 19 mins, 50 sit-ups in 2 mins, and 17 push-ups in 2 mins) on Thursday but I don't think it will happen! With the way things are going I'm confident that I might actually be able to pass the 2-2-2 on the 20th which is my deadline (YIKES)!!! If I can pass my 1-1-1 (1 mile run in 10:30, 3 push-ups in 1 min, and 17 sit-ups in 1 min) PT test on Thursday I will be content with myself for the first time!!!

The reality has finally settled in. I'm not scared and I'm not backing out or wanting to back out in fact I'm more excited than ever! For the last month since I enlisted it all felt like a dream, I had to pinch myself to make it a reality. Now I can actually picture myself accomplishing this dream and with flying colors!! I'm excited. Only 43 more days!!!

I'm in the process of getting everything ready. Making lists (packing lists, pictures to bring, addresses, etc). Practicing my hair; we have to keep it above the nap of our neck but below our eyebrows. They prefer buns well my hair doesn't do well on its own, and that is why God invented a thing called a Hair Donut (AKA: Sock Bun or Ballerina Bun; available at Sally's Beauty Salon). Put your hair in a pony-tail, put the donut around the pony-tail, fan hair over it until its covered, secure it with an elastic, and wrap the left over hair around the elastic pinning in place (or use another elastic like I do). I like it and it works well with my hair (which says a lot)!! I tested it while running today and it held up really really well. I still have to figure out what to do with my bangs because they don't want to do anything I want them to do but I have time!! I have a picture of it and I will post it later!

I guess I can't hate my father too much!! I needed an address for my Aunt Vickie and Uncle Dale because they are unlisted. I expected what I usually get...to take forever to get a response and a cold attitude. Well, it took a while to get a response but I found out it was because he had to e-mail her to get the address and phone number (pretty sad but funny). But he also mentioned he was proud of me and to keep up the good work and continue to make progress. He mentioned that he went to the gym for the first time in years on Thursday and is starting a plan called the "Get In-Shape With Heather Plan." I wouldn't go so far as to say that I have his support but I don't have his un-support. I'll keep talking and before I know it he will come around!!

My only complaint of the moment is that I can't sleep in! In less than six weeks I will be stuck getting up at un-nice hours and before the sun even rises (4:30 am), all I want to be able to do now is to enjoy my sleep but NO!! The dogs have to go wild, my mom has to be loud, Don comes and mows then lawn, my phone rings, there is always something at 6, 7, 8, 9, and 1o AM. All I'm asking the world is to let me sleep until like 11:30 AM (that sounds like a good healthy time)!! I know I should get used to it but I don't really need to. I used to wake-up at 5:00 am when working at the hospital or nursing home and I probably function better the earlier the hour but for these last six weeks I want to be able to sleep-in!!!

For now I'm heading off to eat some chow! Later!
Heather

Personal Training Session!!!

UPDATE:
Hi!
Well, today is Wednesday and I got warned that I would be extremely sore today. It didn't happen!!! My abdominal muscles hurt when I try to do sit-ups or crunches but other than that I feel great. The tenderness in my shoulders from the bench press is gone. I have a cramp in my calf muscle that won't go away. But overall I feel great!
Heather

ORIGINAL:
Howdy!
So, yesterday I got the pleasure of having a session with a personal trainer at Fitness Together!! It was fun but it was hard!! I did a warm-up, bench press (I actually did decent which surprised me), chest flys (those things stink), boxing (really fun, actually really difficult, and a great stress reliever), two different ab exercises (ball tosses and leg extenders), jump ups (pull-ups but you jump to help yourself get up, really hard after a few minutes), and jumping jacks (they may have been fun and easy in school but after doing about a thousand of them they are so easy)!!
He warned me that I would be really sore tomorrow (which is now today) and even worse on Wednesday! I'm really not all that sore, my abs are tender, my shoulders have discomfort but I feel good!!!
Personal trainers are expensive and so I'm not going be able to afford them but at least now I know what I should be doing as far as exercise goes!!
All the guys there were great! The two I talked to the most were in the military or had been in the military. Dallas he is a 2LT in the Army getting ready to go to Officer Candidate School, he is a PT champion, and a track and cross country coach at MSU. Aaron the guy I trained with, was in the Navy until he got a medical discharge for an injury. He is humongous buff! It was good getting stories and advice for PT.
We'll see if I'm sore tomorrow but for now I feel great!!!
Heather