Spring is sprung!

Well here we are, there's still snow on the ground in parts but spring is well and truly sprung! We went hiking today with the dog in a local Conservation Area - abs. beautiful. Keeping up the work in the pool and back into my routine with Pilates at home. Not long now 'til I see my surgeon for my annual check-up, which consists of a number of diagnostics and a general chit-chat. Things feel OK so hopefully no surprises there...

FB group continues to grow

Did the snowshoe romp (see earlier post), which turned out to be much harder than expected and a total drag on my back. But it was a beautiful day and the scenery was spectacular so something good came of the day! Found the most amazing spa in the mountains nearby - on a Scandinavian theme - all outdoor hot-tubs, plunge pools with sauna and steam - heaven :) Back is holding up but the cold doesn't help I'm afraid. The ThermaCare back warmers are a god-send - thoroughly recommend.

On a bright note, the FB group continues to expand - we are now 124 members. There are multiple e-conversations going on at one time with members sharing their experiences and knowledge, which is absolutely great. Never ceases to amaze me how kind and caring our members are. BIG thanks to them all for making the group such a success. Long may it continue...

Bit of a mistake...

Well Saturday just gone I tried x-country skiing (classic) for the very first time. Given that I am an experienced skiier I thought I might at least have a bit of a head start in this sport. DOH! It has to be one of the hardest thing I've ever done. Skiis are narrow, extremely long and boots are not rigid - balance is entirely different to downhill. Guy that fitted us with the rental said that the conditions were not good - like skiing in sand and he was right. But in all fairness it's no excuse as Dr Vic and others in our party picked it up OK. No problem with fitness just fell too many times - each one made me realise that I had been downright stupid to even contemplate doing this after my dynesis op! Hey ho, all part of embracing the great Canadian outdoors and pushing myself to try stuff out despite having a dodgy back!

Early February we're taking part in a snowshoeing 'romp' around Horseshoe Valley, which I'm not expecting to be a problem and later in February it's looking like we'll finally have Curling lessons. I've been told there's a special contraption for peeps who cannot bend to push the stone or sweep - so I'm game!

Just got to accept that sometimes things are going to beat me - better to be pain free and mobile than plain stubborn...

Happy New Year

Here's hoping that this coming year, 2011, will be a good one. Happy, peaceful and relatively pain-free!

Merry Xmas everyone...

Here's wishing you all a peaceful, healthy and Happy Christmas!

skiiiiiing

Hit the slopes yesterday. AWESOME! Would not have been possible 2 years ago - all thanks goes to Mr Shepperd and his experience with the Dynesys system.

The cold is creeping in...

Yep, it's getting blooming cold here in Canada and boy am I feeling it in my back. Really missing our hot tub... Not having one here is becoming a bit of a bore and Dr Vic has "cocked a deaf 'un" to my whingeing! Nevertheless, it's tops my Santa list. Ho-Ho-Ho! Dream on girl... Things ain't so bad though - the gym I've joined has a lovely sauna and we do have a rather large bathtub that I can skive off to now and again for a long soak, surrounded by candles and the sound of Enya!

The lead up to Crimble is always a challenging time for us 'spineys' and those dealing with disability or illness. Most of us feel about 100 years old by the time the actual day comes; too fagged out to really enjoy it! So please... don't be too hard on yourself, allow others to help AND remember to be 'healthily selfish' when you need to.

Good recommendation from a fellow 'spiney' living in Calgary (which was colder than Alaska last week, OUCH) - Thermacare HeatWraps http://www.thermacare.ca/EN/home.aspx The back one comes highly recommended especially when participating in winter sports. Will deffo try them out when we eventually get on the piste! Word to all you spineys walking around in snow and icy conditions (yep that means you guys back in England too) - be careful! Abs. terrified I will fall over.

Lastly and most importantly... my dad is now also suffering with a back condition - identified as scoliosis (which is obviously not new) and inflammed arthritis the full length of his spine which has put him in tremendous pain these last months and walking with a stick. He is going in for a procedure tomorrow that will hopefully give him some relief from pain. I'm hoping it's successful and that he gets well real soon so that we can get him over here and spoil him rotten. Dad, you're in my thoughts and prayers, as always. God bless.