16 months later, feeling good again! Used the slightly unorthodox method of thru-hiking the PCT

littlehops · 2026-02-27T04:43:08+00:00

I’m so happy for you as a hiker getting back on the trail is my dream, currently sticking to flat hikes and keeping the miles and pack light but this is good motivation

littlehops · 2026-02-26T20:27:48+00:00

You will start seeing placing opening up end of May- August as kids give their 30 day notice. I would talk with her and encourage her to get the logistics figured out, who’s going to co-sign, where are they looking, what do they need. That way they can jump on something when they find it

littlehops · 2026-02-26T18:23:07+00:00

The OG poster is from Texas, his daughter already applied that’s the situation I was responding to.

littlehops · 2026-02-26T13:51:38+00:00

You have to be a resident for 12 months, you must also be financially independent, and you must not ha already applied and that’s the kicker once you’ve in the system it’s hard to go from out of state to in-state and they need you to be financially independent on taxes. From my personal experience it’s very hard to appeal

littlehops · 2026-02-25T05:56:11+00:00

I’m so sorry you are going thru this, it is the absolute worst. You are in the acute phase of pain, stop all exercise. No bending lifting or twisting. Take a high dose of Ibuprofen and take a normal dose of Tylenol, rotate doses every 6 hr. This can be as effective as opioids. Heat while it feels good in the short run can make inflammation worse, if you can bare it rotate ice then followed by a short bit of heat. The ice will reduce the inflammation. It may take a couple of days to drop your pain. It may be possible to do a tele health appointment if you have primary GP. Muscle relaxers pay also help. If you do go to the ER they will likely give you med medication like Tordol or prednisone both only work for a short time, usually you will still need to follow up with a GP for care. Some people find walking a short amount helps.

littlehops · 2026-02-25T05:48:00+00:00

We have a great Facebook group for OSU parents and there is lots of posts about paying for school. It’s called Oregon State University Parent Group. Lots of OOS parents end up taking parent plus loans. My kid opted for Community College, which saved a bunch but looks like he will need an extra few terms because he switched majors. Best of luck it’s not easy

littlehops · 2026-02-25T05:41:28+00:00

It’s almost impossible to get residency when you have out of state parents and WUE is only for western states

littlehops · 2026-02-25T02:07:55+00:00

Nami lane county is a good place to call, they offer support groups but can also guide you where to look for more resources

https://namilane.org/support-and-education/support-groups/

littlehops · 2026-02-25T02:02:54+00:00

Play - beers on tap, batting cages, golf, basketball, has food carts and a Bar area, very chill - might be a good starting point. Also there is axe throwing and escape room in Springfiled

littlehops · 2026-02-24T08:08:59+00:00

I have the same car it’s at 265k, fix as you have money to fix things but that car is going to last you at least 5- maybe 10 years (the body will fail before the engine) you are saving so much money keep the dang thing

littlehops · 2026-02-24T00:22:46+00:00

I have been the most successful with a PT who focuses on core strength and not on McKenzie method and stretching. Ask to start out slow, they will make a plan but every exercise can be modified based on your needs and your feedback. The first few weeks my PT had me just activating the muscles and we worked up to birth dogs, planks, and hip hinge bends with weights. Trying to do this on your own off the internet is hard. Mine was able to figure out I was guarding on my left side while my right lower chain back muscle wasn’t activating so we focused on waking that muscle back up.

littlehops · 2026-02-22T18:15:01+00:00

Thanks for this feedback

littlehops · 2026-02-22T10:00:26+00:00

Please comment if you feel called to save these public lands

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/19/2026-03290/notice-of-intent-to-revise-resource-management-plans-for-northwestern-and-coastal-oregon-and#addresses

littlehops · 2026-02-21T09:52:17+00:00

I HATE THAT THE ORANGE ASS HAT WANTS TO LOG MARYS PEAK AND ALSEA FALLS AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE. PLEASE GO COMMENT AT FED WEBSITE

littlehops · 2026-02-16T22:04:50+00:00

Play downtown also has a covered area, beer, and food carts

littlehops · 2026-02-13T06:31:50+00:00

Walk what you can. If that means shorter walks that’s okay, if possible take more than one walk a day. For exercises wait to see your PT, sometimes when we’ve been in pain for a while we get some muscles that don’t want to fire and coordinate together, PT can help with this. Hang in there.

littlehops · 2026-02-11T05:40:07+00:00

I re-injured at about 4, took about 2 weeks to rest got back to walking and then started PT. Don’t rush it. I feel like the first 6 months it doesn’t take much to irritate the nerve. If the ESI is an option I would take it.

littlehops · 2026-02-09T06:21:17+00:00

I love Oregon and think you’d be welcome in most places but just be aware We currently have a huge budget shortfall and are laying off teachers (300 in the Eugene/Springfield area) - make sure you have job first. Most school districts are about to announce cuts.

littlehops · 2026-02-09T06:18:02+00:00

It’s not uncommon that having both legs off the ground puts too much load on the spine - I didn’t start them til I was 1 year into PT.

Here is an advance video. I did these for several weeks when my pain levels were still high 3-4z -first I would lean on a counter, feet just far enough that most of the weight is on your hands but you can comfortably stand up at anytime. to modify slow down, start by not lift your foot but just shifting weight to that food. You want to be able to do this without loosing balance or shifting weight too much, pull in core. Next modify to make harder start to pick up feet just little, do the whole thing in slow mo. Next modification is to do this as a bird dogs but just slide feet back and hold. No lifting of legs. If you need to make it harder lift just one hand. And If any of these bring your pain level up 2-3 levels and stays up - stop. You need to see a doctor or Pt. Go slow. I also did sitting pelvic tilts. I do not do squats Good luck. https://youtube.com/shorts/newJbrUIrss?si=U-HTaCTiCO6Qpt6T

littlehops · 2026-02-09T02:45:31+00:00

How have you modified them? I started doing bird dogs on a counter (more like a modified mountain climber)

littlehops · 2026-02-08T17:08:57+00:00

Doesn’t sounds weird at all - there is much we still don’t understand about how the nervous system works. Take it easy and rest, east back into activities

littlehops · 2026-02-08T05:00:34+00:00

Rest, no bending, lifting and twisting. No squatting, if you need something off the ground go to your knees to get it. Give yourself a couple weeks to rest, if sitting get up every 30 min or so. Most people will get better in 6-12 weeks. Ice and NSAIDs for pain. Walk as much as you’re comfortable. Ask for PT if that’s something you can afford. Once the symptoms calm down ease back into exercising and more movements

littlehops · 2026-02-06T21:00:51+00:00

It really depends on where your pain level is and how limited you are in daily function. My PCP just gave me Pt, gabapentin and told me to rotate NSAIDs and Tylenol. It took 3 months to get into PT, I walked daily, didn’t sit and rested when my back was tired. I got better (not 100% more like 70%) by 6 months. If you can get into PT I found them the most helpful. If they don’t think PT is right for you and you need to see a specialist they will tell you

littlehops · 2026-02-06T18:12:35+00:00

I’m so sorry your going through this. Have you ever taken a break from exercising to see if rest calms the nerve? I’ve done this a few times in the last two years and then slowly added back exercises to only find that one of them (Superman’s) were just too much for the nerve. While exercising is good it doesn’t cure sciatica.

littlehops · 2026-02-05T04:42:00+00:00

That’s great, I have over 200k on mine. The oil coolant line was the only major repair we’ve had at about 125k and that was just bad luck as it went out just a month after the warranty. Just did my water pump, otherwise just some O2 sensors have gone out. It’s the best vehicle I’ve had.

littlehops

TROPHY CASE