BitterOyster Returns to Pallet Town to Recuperate

[BitterOyster]

The Story

Greetings! I've been with the Rangers previously but always had a soft spot for the Druids and could use some magical wisdom right now.

My previous challenges followed the story of a Pokemon trainer collecting 8 badges, beating the Elite 4 and challenging the Champion, but I was unable to defeat the Champion when I tore a ligament in my knee. It was a double whammy as being stuck inside and inactive made my previously well-managed anxiety and depression return with a vengeance.

 

In the following month I watched my hopes for the year fall apart as I realised how long the rehabilitation process would be and how many of my regular activities are going to be too hard on my knees. In particular I had hoped to spend my last year in this city exploring its many beautiful nature reserves on long hikes and heavy rucks, using all of the cooler months (Southern hemisphere, so March-November) to push myself hard and build endurance. That's not going to pan out.

 

But! I realised that there are other ways to experience nature, by sitting, birdwatching, meditating, listening and painting. I scribbled a map of all the places I still want to visit or re-visit. Then I thought, what the hell, why not chuck together a Pokemon-themed version. If I visit one or two places per challenge that gives me plenty of time to experience this place at my own pace and not risk re-injuring myself. This challenge I'm staying in Pallet Town, visiting my garden and Professor Oak's lab (the physiotherapist, gym and pool).

 

 

This roughly corresponds to my actual town with completely arbitrary scale. It was fun to make, like playing with Lego. Okay, lots of the tiles don't match up, but I'm not made of patience.

 

The Challenge

Previously I've had good results with setting daily and weekly activity targets and being very strict about completing them 90% or more, keeping myself busy. Now, with physical limitations and depression roundhouse-kicking random days out of my schedule I need to learn a new approach. Such as not being a perfectionist, and slowing the hell down.

 

So instead of being too SMART for my own good, I'm going to explore what I can do and aim to slowly increase it, showing myself compassion when I can't do as much as I'd like.

 

Goal #1: Squirtle (Pool)

Go to the pool, whether for aqua aerobics, some laps by myself, or even just a bit of paddling and stretching. I'd like to aim for three times a week, but I'll be content with once a week if I'm struggling.

 

Goal #2: Charmander (Lights out)

• Keep up my new routine of getting off the computer/phone at 10pm, instead cleaning, drawing or reading. It doesn't have to be every night, but I don't want to start falling out of the habit.
• Also get up at a reasonable time even when I don't have to.
• Explore options for a morning routine.

 

Goal #3: Bulbasaur (Drawing)

Draw plants. Or anything really, but plants have been working for me lately. Maybe Pokemon too. Aiming for every day, but don't let 3 days go past without drawing.

Edit: I've also challenged myself to draw 100 small portraits in April. This works out to 4-5 a day! It may be crazy, but that's what I need right now.

[BitterOyster]

Whoops! Started in the old forum, have asked a mod to move it.

[Heidi]

Moved it.

Looking forward to having you around!

 

[Raxie]

Found you!

[LadyMonk]

I love following your challenges! I need to make it a point to add a theme to one of mine eventually.  Yours are so great!

[Dusk]

Hey Oyster! I'm sorry life has been so rough on you lately. I haven't experienced circumstances exactly like yours, but I have definitely experienced my fair share of poop storms... just take things one day at a time, and eventually the storm will pass.

 

I really like your strategy of slowing down, and being lenient with your goals and yourself. You gotta Ranger the heck out of your circumstances sometimes, and battling depression and anxiety is no joke, so I'm glad you've recognized that. Sometimes less is more, anyway. 

 

I, too, struggle with anxiety, so I do know part of what you're feeling. If you ever need a listening ear, PM me; I'm happy to help any way I can.  

[BitterOyster]

6 hours ago, Raxie said:

Found you!

Hello!

 

5 hours ago, LadyMonk said:

I love following your challenges! I need to make it a point to add a theme to one of mine eventually.  Yours are so great!

Oh wow thanks! A warning though, themes get addictive

 

5 hours ago, Shadri said:

Hey Oyster! I'm sorry life has been so rough on you lately. I haven't experienced circumstances exactly like yours, but I have definitely experienced my fair share of poop storms... just take things one day at a time, and eventually the storm will pass.

 

I really like your strategy of slowing down, and being lenient with your goals and yourself. You gotta Ranger the heck out of your circumstances sometimes, and battling depression and anxiety is no joke, so I'm glad you've recognized that. Sometimes less is more, anyway. 

 

I, too, struggle with anxiety, so I do know part of what you're feeling. If you ever need a listening ear, PM me; I'm happy to help any way I can.  

Hi Shadri! Thanks, that means a lot to me. I saw you mention panic attacks in one of your challenge and was rooting for you as a fellow anxiety sufferer

With regards to slowing down, I think having pushed myself and achieved stuff previously makes it easier to be patient as I don't have as much to prove to myself, so I can thank NF for that.

 

 

Good news today! Went back to the doctor, the computer system managed to lose the reports on my x-ray and ultrasound... ಠ_ಠ But from looking at the printouts the GP thinks it will heal just fine, the cartilage is okay and he's optimistic about me getting back to weightlifting in as little as a month. The radiographer thought there might be cartilage damage but the GP thinks he's just trying to push for an MRI to get more money. Due to bureaucratic stupidness I couldn't get a referral to physiotherapy so I'll be sorting that out next week, I'm so done with paperwork and such this week.

[BitterOyster]

My 'good leg' (which was previously the bad leg) is getting fed up with bearing extra weight so I was wise and rested all day while a mysterious elf appeared and cleaned the house. Just kidding, I was foolish and did things, but it was mostly from an office chair. It's actually fairly easy to vacuum from an office chair if you start at one end and push yourself backwards. So next time you don't want to do the vacuuming, consider that you don't even have to get up. Or get a house elf.

[LadyMonk]

I'm glad you got some rest! You gotta listen to your body.

Sent from my XT1575 using Tapatalk

[Heidi]

Do you have access to a hot tub in your gym? This can be wonderfully therapeutic, especially during down time.

 

Also, I suggest watching The Peaceful Warrior at some point, preferably when you're itching to move about more than is advisable. it's a great film, and has a fantastic Sensei type character.

 

Remember to breathe. All the things will still be there tomorrow, dear Ranger. 

Welcome to the Druids.

 

Love and peace,

Heidi

[BitterOyster]

^ Thankyou  I don't have access to a hot tub but at least there's a heated pool at the gym. I'll check out that movie. I'm still impatient, but every time I heal a bit there's a few more things I can do or that become easier and I appreciate them so much more now. I'm planning to take a chair outside and do a careful bit of gardening today, see what I can salvage or replant. When I got injured I had to call in so many favours that I didn't want to ask anyone to tend the garden, and it was terrible timing since we had a hot dry spell and I'd just done a big replant so most of it was just sprouted or little seedlings.

 

Once I face that reality, I'm planning to clear a space and set up a chair and a little folding table on the back verandah so I can have some time outside, which might help my headspace. At the moment looking at the garden just makes me sad, but I haven't lost all the work I did on enriching the soil and we have a very forgiving climate and a fairly open position so I still have time to grow before winter (southern hemisphere) and some things will keep growing all year.

[BitterOyster]

The garden was pretty sad, but at least the weeds haven't taken over the new beds. In one bed two tomato plants got huge and absolutely exploded over the bed. I hacked them back and found seedlings that survived in their shade, so that's pretty cool. All the others died save a couple of beans. Luckily gardening is easy mode in this warm climate,  I'll replant and life will go on

[Nymeria]

On April 1, 2016 at 1:17 AM, BitterOyster said:

Good news today! Went back to the doctor, the computer system managed to lose the reports on my x-ray and ultrasound... ಠ_ಠ But from looking at the printouts the GP thinks it will heal just fine, the cartilage is okay and he's optimistic about me getting back to weightlifting in as little as a month. The radiographer thought there might be cartilage damage but the GP thinks he's just trying to push for an MRI to get more money. Due to bureaucratic stupidness I couldn't get a referral to physiotherapy so I'll be sorting that out next week, I'm so done with paperwork and such this week.

Following, for the knee solidarity! 

 

That sounds great!  Really, even if there is cartilage damage, it's generally not really an emergency thing that needs to be figured out right now.  Once you're back to your normal stuff, if you find that your knee is locking up or if you can't fully straighten the leg, then you should definitely pursue the MRI.  And if it heals and seems fine, then I wouldn't worry about it.   

 

Even if you can't get physiotherapy, it's pretty easy to google exercises for rehabbing the knee.  I did a lot of wall sits, glute bridges, and monster walks for my knee rehab, so that might be a great place to start.  Also, if you have access to a stationary bike, cycling is another wonderful way to strengthen a compromised knee.  You'll get through this and be back to weightlifting in no time.

[BitterOyster]

^Thanks, I was wondering if wall sits would be a good option for starting to strengthen my legs again. I would like to have the expert opinion of a physio, but it's good to know I can help it on my own. I can't wait to start on the exercise bike, I don't have one at home but they have them at the gym.

 

I tried to sort out the paperwork today and got so frustrated I wanted to throw things and almost cried. I know that's a common reaction to paperwork but it's very very out of character for me, I'm very patient, even if I rant on the surface I'm usually calm underneath. I don't know what's going on, it's not PMS so I guess it's depression.

 

Anyway, the physio told me the form I have is the wrong one, the local GP already told me he can't do the referral so I can go back and argue with him only to possibly get turned away again, or wait 2 weeks, maybe more, to go to my regular GP across town and possibly get turned away from there too, because it looks like the forms I was trying to get are only for chronic conditions. Anyway, I rang up a different physio and they managed to sort it out and get me in for tomorrow. The first physio I contacted is literally right next to the gym and pool, but this one's close too and the location won't really matter if it's only one appointment, especially now I can drive. I know it's not urgent but I want to be done with medical appointments already.

[Raxie]

Ugh paperwork and medical appointments are never fun Sorry you had such a frustrating time.  That's really exciting about the timeline you've got for getting back into lifting though!

[Nymeria]

I'm glad that you are going to be able to get some expert advice on knee rehab!  And I can see why everything is so frustrating and depressing.  You're ready to move forward with rehabbing your knee and getting back to all of your normal things, but navigating your way through all of the bureaucracy and paperwork is really holding you back.  I think just about everyone gets a bit overwhelmed with medical appointments and paperwork.  

[BitterOyster]

Paperwork is frustrating but it's really unusual for me to have that kind of mood swing. I worked out it was probably low blood sugar, so I'm not worried any more.

 

Did the physio session yesterday, I have some strengthening exercises and he says they'll help with the other knee as well. I'm off the crutches and so glad to have my hands free.

 

I could swim tomorrow but might use that time to rest mentally more than physically. Having a minimum and maximum target for swimming has turned out to be a good idea, it would have been stressful to fit all those swims in this week but it'll be a good challenge for the next few weeks.

 

Lastly here's a little Bulbasaur I drew for the Bulbasaur part of my challenge:

[BitterOyster]

Slowing down and setting lower targets has been working really well, but I've been missing having insane, near-impossible goals, so I challenged myself to do 100 small portraits in April. They take 10-15min each and I'm 6 portraits in. If any of you guys want to send me a photo of yourself I'll draw it, but I warn you, it may not look anything like you!

[BitterOyster]

While I'm drawing, here's Ivysaur charging up for a Solarbeam.

[BitterOyster]

It's funny how everything is connected. While decluttering (inspired by NF) I found my old Pokemon Cards, and decided I was finally ready to let go of them. I'm using that money to buy seeds to replant my garden. So the old brings in the new, the wheel turns, and everything involves Pokemon right now.

[BitterOyster]

Finally went to the pool. Getting in was ok, getting out not so much - they only have vertical stairs set into the side of the pool. Aqua aerobics might be ok if I'm careful but laps are a bit much, so I might make that goal interchangeable with gym or pool sessions. I also did a circuit on the upper body machines and I have mild DOMS today so I'm glad it woke my muscles up. I just associate machines with higher reps so I tried some different rep ranges but I guess there's no reason I can't stick to lower reps, especially if it's not busy and I can do a few circuits so I don't have to wait in between sets.

[BitterOyster]

Week One Wrapup

Pool - one visit, but that's a milestone!

Knee exercises - 2/4

 

 

Lights out - 7/7! It's going really well!

Also waking up at a reasonable hour, except when I was woken at an outrageously early hour by a faulty smoke alarm because a spider was living inside it. That's what I get for living in Australia.

 

Drawing - not much during the week, but heaps on the weekend.

Portraits: 21/100

 

[Nymeria]

 

Finally went to the pool. Getting in was ok, getting out not so much - they only have vertical stairs set into the side of the pool. Aqua aerobics might be ok if I'm careful but laps are a bit much, so I might make that goal interchangeable with gym or pool sessions.

 

It's a shame that they don't have a zero depth entry.  That was so much easier than dealing with the ladders when I was rehabbing my knee.  Are the laps too much force on the knees?  If so, have you ever considered just walking laps in the pool rather than swimming?  Walking laps in a pool is another common knee rehab and strengthening thing.  If you want to try swimming, I found that the backstroke was my friend while rehabbing my knee.  The kick was less irritating than a lot of other kicks, and it was easier to still swim while deliberately kicking pretty weakly.  Avoid the breaststroke.  At least for me, that kick was super painful and stressful to my knee.  

[BitterOyster]

It seems silly to not have even one accessible entry point because the pool is so good for so many people with varying needs and disabilities. Yes, freestyle kicking is a bit too stressful on the knee still, not terrible but there's no point pushing it. I tried walking but it's school holidays so the shallow end was full of kids. I'm looking forward to the weights machines though.

[RobbieBlair]

I'm loving the Pokemon theme. These seem like great goals!

 

Sorry to hear about your knee. Maybe this will turn out to be one of those bad things that turn out to be good? In any case, it sounds like you're using this stumbling block as a stepping stone by using it as a learning opportunity.