Cold, Knees and Facial Flutters

I'm cold.

When I first started skating, I was always cold. I suppose it was because I wasn't moving very fast and had to constantly stop to catch my breath. I used to wear a camisole, cotton turtleneck shirt, sweatshirt, tights, knit unitard and pants to skate a freestyle session. At my old rink in Flushing Meadow Park, no matter what I did, I was cold. I used to drink two cups of hot chocolate (one before the session and one after) to try to stay warm. As time went on, I started having additional lessons and my progress improved so I wasn't quite so cold. Then I stopped skating in Flushing and started skating in Manhattan. After a year, I found myself sweating while skating and moved toward long tee shirts and leggings. I didn't bother to mention the year I skated in scrubs, but they were really comfortable.

I skated in long tee shirts and leggins until Ted. Ted was the most negative coach I have ever had. I came to Ted with all of my singles and before I left Ted, not only did I have a pair of skates stolen, all of my jumps left me; and some have yet to return. Sometimes you make a mistake. He was a nice enough guy, but not the coach for me. However, had it not been for Ted, I wouldn't have had a program choreographed by Amy who subsequently became my coach. I should note that the program was lovely, but both Amy and I said the music (chosen by Ted) was definitely NOT for me.

Fast forward to all the sessions skated recently. I am cold. Not just chilly, but as cold as I was back in the day. Some days, I can't seem to warm up no matter how long I skate. Now that I'm older, it takes longer to warm up and sometimes by the time I do, the session is over! It's like I'm starting from scratch.

My knees have decided that pain is a normal now. Last year, shortly after Thanksgiving, my left knee decided it was going to hurt all the time. I went to my orthopedic physician, Dr. Cutie (that's my nickname for him) who suggested an MRI. Unfortunately the location was not in my plan and as luck would have it, the pain subsided after three weeks of rest. I began wrapping my left (landing leg) knee with an ace bandage just because it felt stronger with the bandage (might have been all in my head). Several months later, my right knee started to bother me and I ended up wrapping both knees. I look like I've been a catcher for a major league baseball team and my broke down body needs some TLC.

The pain has returned on mt left knee so my right knee is no longer lonely.

This brings me to the facial flutters. They began in my left eye, ever so slightly and slowly, causing me to think my eye was just twitching because of allergies. Two weeks later, the occasional fluttering became longer and longer. What began as two minutes every hour became twenty minutes every forty minutes. Then, forty minutes every hour. The fluttering moved down to my cheek. So, my eye and cheek began to flutter for most of an hour. This was when I thought someone should take a look at it. However, before I had the appointment with a neurologist, my lip decided to join the party. Thus far, no one else has seen these flutters/spasms/twitches, but I can feel them. And they are annoying.

Approximately six years ago, I had my first bout with Bells Palsy. It was slight and lasted about a month. It all began with the left side of my face feeling numb. Since my dad had died from complications of a stroke, I was concerned. When my left eye stopped shutting totally, I became frightened. My neurologist (same one) told me it was stress related. Granted, this was before I purchased a car and was taking 6 buses round trip to and from work. But, my mom was still alive, which now counts as a good time.

My second bells palsy period lasted three weeks and was after my mom died. This too was related to stress, which considering the year I (and my family) had just had, was understandable. It wasn't so bad; people moved out of my way when my upper lip would raise and quiver when it wanted to. Sometimes, it made me laugh if I caught my reflexion.

This time neurologist gave me a prescription for a pill that is given to people who are psychotic. I AM NOT PSYCHOTIC! I am a woman who hates her job! I didn't get the script filled; I can't get over the reason for the medication.

I am trying to plan a vacation, alone. So far, all I have is I want to leave my skates at home.

Did I mention I want to go alone?