Survey says!!!!

NO MASS FOUND!!!! Actually it was the MRI report that stated this. Periosteal reaction is the determination. This means there has been new bone growth on my tibia. The unknown is what caused this to happen and when.

This has baffled Doc #2. Two docs? you ask? Yep. When i'm told to stop running it is serious enough to seek a second opinion. Doc #1 says no running for 2-3 weeks and believes it is 'just a shin splint that got really aggitated....possibly brought on due to the stress fracture...'. Doc #2 says to start back running when I'm ready and is still 'puzzled by the size differential of my left tibia compared to the right tibia'. Which, by the way, only Doc #2 took the time to x-ray both of my legs...unlike Doc #1 who has remained focused just on my left leg.

I'm staying with Doc #2 because I feel he is looking for the cause...not simply treating the symptoms. Nothing bad against Doc #1....well, maybe a little. When I have to ask the doc (#1) to feel my leg and tell me what something is, well, thats kinda unsettling. However, my first visit with Doc #2 he rolled his stool over to me, rolled up my pants leg and started pressing and mashing asking where it hurt and didn't hurt. He used a Sharpie pen to mark spots where it hurt and where he felt something unusual. Then, he sent me back for xrays...of both legs! I remember laying on the xray table and thinking 'now this doc is trying to find out what is going on with me....'

There are those who say if you go to the doc enough they will find something wrong with you. Totally agree with that. But, when you feel like all you are doing is paying a copay, getting a test, coming back in a few weeks for a followup....well, it begins to grate on you. Not to mention the lags in my 'treatment' by Doc #1 caused me to run into a new insurance year (started July 1st). That means the MRI I had done July 21st isn't fully paid for because my deductible was reset on July 1. So, Doc #1 has cost me my $500 deductible. Ugh.

I'm anxious to start running again. But, this setback has allowed me to really think about why I run....what about it gives me joy.....do i really need to do the marathon distance? Many discussions with myself over the last few months. RC told me back in late March..."the thing" should be my fitness....not running a marathon in 3 hrs 30 minutes (my qual time for B) which would be totally awesome....its not doing a 50k in the rain and mud (like my buddy Tim did last year).....its about keeping my heart conditioned....enjoying the feeling of being fit and able to play with my kids....and grandkids some day.

I don't know what the future holds yet. This weekend I plan on doing a short 2 mile mixture of walking and jogging. Just to check out the legs. If the pain returns I will not lie....i will be very upset. My prayer is that the pain never comes back.

T