One of the things that I've noticed as I've tried to maintain more than one blog is that my life feels compartmentalized; I'm only allowed to speak of certain things in certain places. It feels like a self-imposed restriction akin to never talking about religion or politics. These are my blogs with my thoughts, so I should feel free to speak of whatever comes to mind: Wyatt, family, God, pain, suffering, joy, fitness, guitar, whatever...right?
So, while in actuality I will not stop "chasing Wyatt" I'm going to roll everything over to www.lostdogman.blogspot.com. Wyatt will be there, Bethany will be there, and I will be there...out of the little compartments and free to discuss anything and everything I may be experiencing. See you there!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
What I've Learned from Inactivity
On July 15, 2009, I turned 39 years old and completed my 39by39 challenge, which in terms of the numbers was a failure, but in terms of building strength and fitness was a definite winner. On Aug. 18, the day after returning from a long trip to and from Colorado, I stood up, felt a sharp pinch in my low back and thus started a 5 + month battle with what turned out to be a back problem.
What have I learned from being inactive for most of this time as a 39 year old who really wants to be able to chase his son?
I have learned...
...that the spine apparently starts to degenerate sooner than knees and shoulders. My PT indicated the spinal column often can start showing signs of wear and tear by the late teens.
...that I wasn't crazy to think I need to be working on corrective exercises, but I didn't know everything I needed to correct...kinda like having more than one blind spot, which of course, you can't see, so you just don't know it is there.
...that moving is a gift, and I hope to keep rehabbing myself to the point that I can move freely again without aggravating my back.
...that degenerative (sp?) and bulging discs are not my friends...they are my sworn enemies.
...that my wife is awesome...I already knew it, but she had to do so much more when I was hurting, and I'm grateful for her.
...that I want to eat when I am in pain. I wanted to really try Eat-Stop-Eat with the intermittent fasting (aka taking breaks from eating), but would feel so agitated physically sometimes that food would help the agitation. That being said, I'm amazed I weighed in at 206 yesterday, which is actually lower than when this whole back issue started. Eat-Stop-Eat worked great when I wasn't in pain and would actually follow it. If the pain stays away I hope to try it again. There is something freeing about taking 24 hours to NOT stuff my face.
...that I'm not giving up, and I love the way I trained last year during my challenge, but will have to modify and move slowly into things...Duh!
...that I'm going to be 40 this July, haven't been able to really work out for six months now, and have felt like a crazy person during many steps of the journey, but feel I understand what goes on in my body in a way that I couldn't without the injury.
...that being able to pick up my son without feeling like I was prison shanked in the kidney is pretty sweet.
...that I hate pain; really I hate pain, but am grateful that it tells you something is wrong.
What have I learned from being inactive for most of this time as a 39 year old who really wants to be able to chase his son?
I have learned...
...that the spine apparently starts to degenerate sooner than knees and shoulders. My PT indicated the spinal column often can start showing signs of wear and tear by the late teens.
...that I wasn't crazy to think I need to be working on corrective exercises, but I didn't know everything I needed to correct...kinda like having more than one blind spot, which of course, you can't see, so you just don't know it is there.
...that moving is a gift, and I hope to keep rehabbing myself to the point that I can move freely again without aggravating my back.
...that degenerative (sp?) and bulging discs are not my friends...they are my sworn enemies.
...that my wife is awesome...I already knew it, but she had to do so much more when I was hurting, and I'm grateful for her.
...that I want to eat when I am in pain. I wanted to really try Eat-Stop-Eat with the intermittent fasting (aka taking breaks from eating), but would feel so agitated physically sometimes that food would help the agitation. That being said, I'm amazed I weighed in at 206 yesterday, which is actually lower than when this whole back issue started. Eat-Stop-Eat worked great when I wasn't in pain and would actually follow it. If the pain stays away I hope to try it again. There is something freeing about taking 24 hours to NOT stuff my face.
...that I'm not giving up, and I love the way I trained last year during my challenge, but will have to modify and move slowly into things...Duh!
...that I'm going to be 40 this July, haven't been able to really work out for six months now, and have felt like a crazy person during many steps of the journey, but feel I understand what goes on in my body in a way that I couldn't without the injury.
...that being able to pick up my son without feeling like I was prison shanked in the kidney is pretty sweet.
...that I hate pain; really I hate pain, but am grateful that it tells you something is wrong.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
"I'm Walking, Yes Indeed..."
Around 10 1/2 months Wyatt took a couple steps that I surmised would be the beginning of a quick ascent into the world of the upright walkers. Well, it was delayed quite a while. Aside from a couple other Texas two steps around his birthday, he was pretty content with crawling. I guess that all changed on Feb. 2. Since then, he has gleefully joined his parents in walking on two feet whenever he feels like it. It probably doesn't hurt that every time he does so, the ovation he receives is usually only reserved for our favorite artists or when I'm watching LeBron James score 24 straight points or watching Fedor Emelianenko throw a monster knockout punch.
Much like the Patterson film which purports to show a female Bigfoot somewhere between 6'5" and 7'3" I'm sure some will remain unbelievers, but I'll show my Wyatt walking pics (and vid if I can get it to work here) just to offer my proof to the whole world.
Woops, OK, so those pics aren't downloaded yet. In the meantime, you'll have to settle for proof that the boy is just ridiculously fun to be around.
How's that for proof? I think that should answer the questions of the skeptics. Now, for the walking pics?! I'll get on that soon...promises, promises!
Much like the Patterson film which purports to show a female Bigfoot somewhere between 6'5" and 7'3" I'm sure some will remain unbelievers, but I'll show my Wyatt walking pics (and vid if I can get it to work here) just to offer my proof to the whole world.
Woops, OK, so those pics aren't downloaded yet. In the meantime, you'll have to settle for proof that the boy is just ridiculously fun to be around.
How's that for proof? I think that should answer the questions of the skeptics. Now, for the walking pics?! I'll get on that soon...promises, promises!
Wyatt is Walking!
Wyatt is officially, definitely, repeatedly, consistently walking...I'll get some pics up as soon as I can for proof...and if blogspot even lets me add video anymore, I'll try to add that too!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
"...Is Anybody Out There?"
In 1983, the world was introduced to the princes (too young to be kings at the time) of pop metal, aka Def Leppard, with the album Pyromania. Although it was their 3rd album, it was their first monster hit, and if not for Michael Jackson's Thriller, could have spent significant time at #1 on the album charts. They released three singles from the album; Photograph, Rock of Ages and Foolin', the last of which was driven by the question "Is anybody out there? Anybody there? Does anybody wonder? Anybody care?"
Being that I know there are some that care and some that wonder, I'm left with the first two questions in regard to my blog readers here..."is anybody out there? Anybody there?" When you don't write but once a month people probably won't check in much, so it's tempting just to let this thing die, but how can I let a blog named after my boy die?
So, to update our life story for now, here we go; Wyatt is over 1 year old now (by just a week) and while not officially walking, will walk behind anything he can push around. He has taken a couple steps free hand about three times now, but seems pretty content pushing stuff. He laughs a lot, shakes his butt to music, and has learned how to wave, and often does so if he ever hears "bye, bye." Needless to say, he's awesome and I love him. Bethany and I continue to work and watch Wyatt. I usually work mornings and she works afternoons, so Wyatt's "babysitters" are us. Daycare someday? Maybe, but for now, we're enjoying just being with him this much...even if lately it includes a lot less sleep than we want (he is resisting his naps sometimes).
Myself? I've been doing physical therapy, hanging on an inversion table, and have gotten one cortisone injection, which I didn't realize actually required anesthesia...gotta admit, that anesthesia is "happy medicine." I'm recovering from the back problems gradually, but am finally without nagging pain, and for the most part move without a stabbing pain (5 months since it first happened...not what I would wish for). So, I am hopeful...finally! For a while, I thought about packing it in and just saying "I'll be the Dad who can't do anything." I don't believe it anymore...there is a lot of Chasing Wyatt to do; it is just taking a long detour and while unwelcome probably allowed me a chance to sit and write more than I would have otherwise.
I did complete a book proposal and sent it off to an agent last weekend, so I'm praying something good comes out of it...if you feel like praying with me, you won't make me mad. If I had my wish, I would write books, play guitar, and be a husband and Dad (...guess I should say son, grandson, an son-in-law if I want to account for all my roles in my immediate family).
Of course, the world would be terribly empty without some pics of Wyatt, so here is your taste for this month (not promising anything more because I'd be going against my pathetic track record of keeping up with this!).
The shirt says Guns 'n Roses: Sweet Child of Mine...appropriate!
This is his 1st birthday cake...he's showing a little skin to avoid the mess, but barely made a mess. He was a little tired by this point. He doesn't like sleeping when family and friends are around, so he wouldn't nap before his party.
This is the little rocker at the zoo...both sets of grandparents and his uncle and potentially future aunt (looking good on all counts there) all went along for the fun too.
Here's hoping that Chasing Wyatt the actual activity continues to be possible even if Chasing Wyatt the blog, has been a little slow in developing. I think I've been hesitant to write partially because it gets old saying "my back and butt hurt. I can't do much, so I don't." So, now I'm feeling better, and maybe that will change a lot...hoping so!
Being that I know there are some that care and some that wonder, I'm left with the first two questions in regard to my blog readers here..."is anybody out there? Anybody there?" When you don't write but once a month people probably won't check in much, so it's tempting just to let this thing die, but how can I let a blog named after my boy die?
So, to update our life story for now, here we go; Wyatt is over 1 year old now (by just a week) and while not officially walking, will walk behind anything he can push around. He has taken a couple steps free hand about three times now, but seems pretty content pushing stuff. He laughs a lot, shakes his butt to music, and has learned how to wave, and often does so if he ever hears "bye, bye." Needless to say, he's awesome and I love him. Bethany and I continue to work and watch Wyatt. I usually work mornings and she works afternoons, so Wyatt's "babysitters" are us. Daycare someday? Maybe, but for now, we're enjoying just being with him this much...even if lately it includes a lot less sleep than we want (he is resisting his naps sometimes).
Myself? I've been doing physical therapy, hanging on an inversion table, and have gotten one cortisone injection, which I didn't realize actually required anesthesia...gotta admit, that anesthesia is "happy medicine." I'm recovering from the back problems gradually, but am finally without nagging pain, and for the most part move without a stabbing pain (5 months since it first happened...not what I would wish for). So, I am hopeful...finally! For a while, I thought about packing it in and just saying "I'll be the Dad who can't do anything." I don't believe it anymore...there is a lot of Chasing Wyatt to do; it is just taking a long detour and while unwelcome probably allowed me a chance to sit and write more than I would have otherwise.
I did complete a book proposal and sent it off to an agent last weekend, so I'm praying something good comes out of it...if you feel like praying with me, you won't make me mad. If I had my wish, I would write books, play guitar, and be a husband and Dad (...guess I should say son, grandson, an son-in-law if I want to account for all my roles in my immediate family).
Of course, the world would be terribly empty without some pics of Wyatt, so here is your taste for this month (not promising anything more because I'd be going against my pathetic track record of keeping up with this!).
The shirt says Guns 'n Roses: Sweet Child of Mine...appropriate!
This is his 1st birthday cake...he's showing a little skin to avoid the mess, but barely made a mess. He was a little tired by this point. He doesn't like sleeping when family and friends are around, so he wouldn't nap before his party.
This is the little rocker at the zoo...both sets of grandparents and his uncle and potentially future aunt (looking good on all counts there) all went along for the fun too.
Here's hoping that Chasing Wyatt the actual activity continues to be possible even if Chasing Wyatt the blog, has been a little slow in developing. I think I've been hesitant to write partially because it gets old saying "my back and butt hurt. I can't do much, so I don't." So, now I'm feeling better, and maybe that will change a lot...hoping so!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Hangin' In
OK, even after thinking I would put something up two weeks ago, I haven't. I have at least 2.5 million excuses give or take one or two. I've been going to physical therapy for the past two weeks, and am feeling better, but still haven't gotten the disc problems to completely resolve. The good news is that the PT feels confident we are heading in the right direction. I'm starting to feel better about it also; like there is hope.
One reason I haven't been writing here much is that I've been working on a book proposal to submit about being adopted, being a new Dad, and how Wyatt has impacted my view of God. If you've spent anytime at my other blog, you'll get the vibe of what that looks like. So, that has taken most of my focus and hope to submit it soon.
In the meantime, Wyatt is 10 1/2 months old and is nearly walking...so close. I hope I can get a pic up. I've been trying to upload and it's not working. I'll work on it and see what I can do!
UPDATE! I was able to get the pics up!
One reason I haven't been writing here much is that I've been working on a book proposal to submit about being adopted, being a new Dad, and how Wyatt has impacted my view of God. If you've spent anytime at my other blog, you'll get the vibe of what that looks like. So, that has taken most of my focus and hope to submit it soon.
In the meantime, Wyatt is 10 1/2 months old and is nearly walking...so close. I hope I can get a pic up. I've been trying to upload and it's not working. I'll work on it and see what I can do!
UPDATE! I was able to get the pics up!
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