Laurel Finch

John F Dean wrote:The watering system didn’t work. The plant “pockets”seemed to be not large enough. There was no way for it to be reliably self supporting.   A few large flower pots worked much better.  In short, what was planted did not thrive. To be clear, this was a different brand.

OK, thanks.  This one has 10" deep tiers.   I looked at the cheaper knockoffs, and they seemed way too small.  I'll try doing updates as I get it set up and the year progresses.

Anne Miller wrote:I am not sure what this is but it souns like something for leaf lettuce and strawberries ...

it's a tower with deep pockets and a watering system: Greenstalk

I got it because my yard has almost no sun, so I thought it would make good use of the tiny area that gets sun for most of the day.

John F Dean wrote:My wife bought something similar…different brand..a few years back.  It was wasted money.

What happened?  How did it go wrong?

Not sure if this is the right forum, but I didn't see one for container gardening.  Anyone on here use a Greenstalk tower?  I just ordered a 5 tier.  I'd like to know what kind of vegetables you grow in them and how they do.  Also, how do you anchor it from wind?

Hi all,
Thought I'd give you guys an update.  I've been to pelvic floor therapy 9 times; 3 more to go.  I have to say, it is is definitely one of the weirdest, most surreal experiences I have ever had.  There's nothig quite like talking about quail while someone has her finger in your vagina.  The first 2 times I went, I dissociated so bad I had to message the therapist to find out what happened and what she said.

But it did get better.  My therapist is really nice and understanding.  And she tells me I've taught her things, too.  Like when I asked her to lock the door so no one could walk in.  She said she never would have thought of that, because a lot of people feel trapped.  I also told her that I never understood why UCSF ALWAYS faces the foot end of the exam table towards the door, so that if someone does walk in while you're being examied down there, well, there you are.  All of you waving "Hi!"  So she turned the exam table around!  I couldn't believe it!  She said she had never thought of that, either!

I bring a weighted lap blanket and put it on my chest.  And a stuffed quail, because... QUAIL!  It helps me focus on something physical that isn't me.  

It's definitely helped with the worst of the symptoms, but I still have pain.  It tends to be more intermittant now, which is good.  I even have some pain free days.  But damn, I'm sore afterwards.  I go every Friday, and I went today, so I'm really feeling it now.

I'm also seeing an online therapist (head type) to help me get over the  PTSD for any future medical stuff.  She's teaching me about breathing and creating a safe space in my head; speaking up for myself, etc.

I've been doing lots of reading, and I found out some really interesting things.  Like how the pelvis stores emotions.  Apparently, there's a ton of nerves there that feed into both the sympathetic AND autonomic nervous systems at the same time.  And it's directly connected to the vagus nerve.  Having hEDS, I already have dysautonomia, which is trouble with the autonomic nervous system.  Those nerves go to the brain and connect emotions, especially negative ones like fear and shame, to the pelvic area.  So all that unresolved shit from my medical trauma got stored there.  Weird, huh?

So, it hasn't fixed me completely, but it took away the most awful of the symptoms.  I can deal with pain better than the other stuff.  I'm hoping that there will be more improvement between now and the last session.  She says we're still figuring out what will work for me.  Like everything else in my body, even my pelvis is weird.



 

Wow, I had no idea so many people had problems "downstairs "!  It's hard enough when you have chronic pain, but having it there makes it 10 times worse.  In 2015 I tripped and ended up with a Lisfranc fracture in my left foot. I was in the hospital for 3 nights, got a fusion with 6 screws, 2 months in bed, 4 months of pt where I had to relearn how to walk, and 6 months with a cane.  And yet, I never blinked an eye.  But this thing is just beating the shit outta me.  It's really taking a toll.  It's so humiliating,  and there's stuff I haven't even mentioned that mortifies me to speak about.  It makes me feel like a freak.

Thanks for sharing,  and all your kind messages.  It helps.  Tomorrow,  I'll take a walk with my feet in the ocean.

Trace Oswald wrote:Please consider the work of the "knees over toes" guy.  He is doing fantastic things for people with knee issues, I would ditch the PT guy, do the knees over toes exercises, see if that helps first, before going through another round of degrading medical exams.  Maybe you would be more comfortable with an older male doctor, or with a woman.  You aren't being a baby, you're reacting to people that treated you horribly.  

Hi Trace,
I had gone to my GP for knee pain last summer,  Of course, he told me it was arthritis (as in, hey, you're old---it's arthritis).  I knew it wasn't, and asked for an MRI.  No deal.  Finally got him to send me for a x-ray.  Sure enough, not a trace of arthritis.  So he sent me for PT.  

Thing is, the PT actually DID help my knees a lot.   I have no pain in my knees now.  He agreed with me that it was soft tissue, probably torn meniscus in both knees.  He also said I was the most hypermobile patient he had ever seen.   He worked on my hip muscles mostly, the ones that pull the leg out to the side.  They were unbelievably weak and would actually spasm when I first started.  Also some basic core work.  

So I don't understand why he keeps pushing me to "get stronger", when I'm very happy with what I've achieved so far.  I'd just like to maintain it.

I'll take a look at the guy you recommended.  The Pelvic Floor Therapist is a woman.  I DEFINITELY feel more comfortable with a woman, especially in my nether regions.

Pearl Sutton wrote:

Personally, if I were in your boat (and I'm in an equally bad different flavored boat) I'd NOT "push through the pain." I have had enough things go on in my life that I have  learned when not to push, and I think you are at it. I'd personally skip PT for a bit OR don't do it so hard (he can't MAKE you!)  and skip the pelvic floor person till I had seen if slowing down the exercises helps the pain.

There are also other ways to work the knees that are less hard on all those muscles, I lay on my back on the floor and do my knee exercises up in the air. Gravity helps, not hinders, and knees get worked.

Hi Pearl,
Yeah, I've been taking a break from the PT.  However, I do feel there is something going on internally, like tight fascia impinging on nerves, etc., because the groin pain is radiating into the the labia.  My PFT appt. isn't until June 6th, so I will see how I feel by then.  If I'm all better, I may cancel.  It's just so hard.  And I don't know which is worse, the physical pain, or the emotional anguish.