Well, IĀ wasĀ super excited to go get my car, until they told me I wasn't approved for the Escape I wanted (even though I had been told the day before that I was). They then told me I was approved for the Escape that was more expensive and had more mileage, and turned out to be a piece of crap (runner bars were rusted through and the vehicle made weird noises/pulled to the right when you hit 40 MPH). I'm also pretty sure they sold the Escape I wanted (and that I had put $1000 down for), as it was suddenly "out for repair" when I went to the dealership to get my money back. The reason I went to this dealership is that I do not have the best credit (from treating credit cards like real money in my younger days), and they guarantee financing. Hubs also bought a car there about four years ago, and he didn't really have any issues. You can check out the whole story on my Yelp review here:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/tyme-auto-sales-plymouth?hrid=oGoNugMWvqNx7Mfqy7nwmQ#src:self
Hubs's business group has a guy who works for a reputable dealership (as compared to the rather shady one I originally went to); we filled out some forms on Friday, and the guy said he should have an answer for us on Monday. I'll either be buying one of two older Escapes, or leasing a new Focus.
I've been going to the gym at least three times a week since the middle of April. I know my physical therapist said I should be very careful about working out, but I have been very unhappy with my appearance, and I think that has contributed to my not feeling well. I also realized that during my "remission" times, I was very physically active and in much better shape (specifically, when I was still in winter drumline and wearing a 20 lb drum on a 5 lb harness for 25 hours each weekend).
After each workout, I make sure to do all the stretches the physical therapist has told me to do, as well as some other ones. Thus far, I haven't noticed an increase in discomfort; if anything, I feel better. I have also already seen results; my legs are much more toned, and I feel like my muffin tops have gotten a little smaller lol.
I noticed after my first couple runs that my thighs would rub together and start to chafe (this is affectionately known as "chub rub" according to the runners' blogs I've read). I researched what I could do about this, and I found this product called Waxelene. It's an all-natural alternative to Vaseline/petroleum jelly. I've used it twice and have found that it helps a lot. Its smell isn't very strong, and so far, it has not aggravated my IC at all (the chafing I had was at the top of my thighs, right below my lady parts). It lasted for the duration of my work out, and it made my skin super smooth and soft. I still noticed its effects after showering.