Story of a Cry Out

I cannot concentrate right now because of my health issue...so, my January post is about the precious necessity of the knee's meniscus ligament.

Last September 2010, I injured my right knee's meniscus while running during a long run of 80 minutes. I noticed this different feeling in my right knee after running around the track. I decided to run back to apartment and stretch. The next day, I tried using the cross training exercise equipment to reduce the amount of stress put on my knee--that did not help me.

I took myself to see one of the certified athletic trainers. They said I may have a torn meniscus and may need a MRI scan...but...in the meantime, I needed to rest, ice, compress and elevate my knee to help it heal.

Three months later, after using the trainer's advice, I went to my primary care doctor. She said that I had patellar tendonitis, which involved fluids under my knee cap. She also said that I needed a X-Ray and see a physical therapist.

The X-Ray came back normal, I saw my PT doctor on my first visit and everything was fine...until my second visit.

The physical therapist told me to warm up for 10 minutes on the stationary bike, and that was okay. He told me to stretch my quadriceps, hamstrings and calf muscles. That was okay. Then, he said he wanted to evaluate and look at my running gait for any problems with how I run. THAT WAS A MISTAKE!!

Within 24 to 48 hours after running for 1 to 2 minutes on the treadmill to evaluate my knee...I was back to pain again. My medial meniscus flared up again. I don't know if it's any worse than it was three and a half months ago.

I want a MRI scan NOW! ...I want to heal my right knee NOW. I'm being patient. Isn't there a reward for being patient?

What if I injure my left knee's meniscus while walking around to stabilize my right knee? Why do I need to re-injure myself?

Running is out of the question. I will stay in shape with the stationary bike as long as I can. I will be satisfied just to use 20 minutes on the bike...but I'm still waiting. I'm STILL WAITING!!

I'm crying on the inside...and out. I want someone to save me. I deserve WAY MORE!!! Will someone, please, help me?

Until February...

- Jaime

Hello 2011: I've Been Waiting for Your Arrival

It is January. It is cold outside. It is time for another hit at the textbooks for the spring 2011 semester at Clarion University!

I have really good feelings about this semester for a few reasons. First, this is the last semester of taking full-time graduate courses. Next semester I will be taking one graduate course and completing my portfolio, non-thesis graduation requirement. That's reassuring and gives me a sense of accomplishment. I will feel like a deer standing in headlights when it comes time to physically doing and completing a project, rather than the same routine of reading, writing and studying, which I've known for so long.

Secondly, this is the first semester of two where I will be president of Public Relations Student Society of America. I am very excited about this position! This opportunity will be a chance for me to enhance my leadership skills, network with public relations professionals and help undergraduate students. That is what I really want to do--benefit the undergrad communication majors at CU. I have several ideas that I am anxious to share with the executive board and the rest of the chapter. More than likely, I will be blogging about those ideas later this year.

Third, it is track and field season! It is time to get back to developing workouts, assisting with travel endeavors and helping Clarion Track & Field get ready for the Cook Forest Half-Marathon/5K...eventually. I created a professional team brochure which I am excited about to use for recruiting this year via Coach Bevevino.

This is the year when I will finally define myself and improve to the extent of showing greater signs of professionalism. No more student lifestyle. No more living on frozen dinners. haha. And...I might actually get back to running again, after nurturing my right knee's assumed torn meniscus.

I like to think of my life right now as Jordin Sparks' "One Step at a Time." "It's gonna happen when it's suppose to happen..And we find the reason why one step at a time."

Until the next January post...
;-)