'Hip... Metal... not real...'
This was much easier on the Spanish leg of the journey compared to passing through Abu Dhabi but surprisingly I have never been asked for proof!
As mentioned in my previous blog I had some trouble with my hip flexor, while this is going (slowly) my bigger issue is now the iliotibial band, or IT band, that runs down the outside of your thigh from the very tip of your hip to your knee. As I bend, squat, or climb the stairs, this IT band snaps over my joint as it is so tight. While the logical answer is to stretch, from the many operations I have had, one of my scars has a large amount of scar tissue within the muscle, about the mid outside thigh. With stretching, this triggers a great amount of pain, I can't even bend to put on my own socks. So, like any sane person would, I have stopped stretching but eventually I will have to face the music and either have it surgical fixed or embrace the pain.
The other thing that continues to bug me is the continuous bursts of pins and needles. You can imagine how frustrating this was while on a 10 hour bus journey through the back of Africa (twice!) with only 2, 10 minute breaks to stretch my legs. I am therefore a continuous wriggler, rarely settling in my seat for more than 30 minutes - sorry Emily, sorry Alex. My Surgeon isn't 100% sure why this keeps happening but thinks, once again, it is a repercussion of the many operations I have had which has narrowed some of the blood vessels near my sitting bones (the bones your weight bears through when you sit). Only time will tell if this will fix itself.
Slowly, very slowly, but surely I am making progress, but it is going to be at least another year until I am fully recovered.
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