Another week...another doctor visit. At just over 14 weeks post-op...I am feeling good and I was really looking forward to talking with Dr. Tarlow to see my latest progress and to ask some big questions. Teh appointment was quick and full of exciting news. The first news I got was that my doctor has decided to drop my health care provider.
Yes...not my fault. And really I can't blame him for the challenge doctors have to face with providers these days. What does that mean for me? It means I have to go back to my old doctor that couldn't provide surgical services because the provider wouldn't cover the facility. At least...I think I can go back as long as they haven't dropped my provider too. Just another fun think to navigate through...
Back to the knee news...
1. The knee is still swollen but that isn't something that is totally abnormal at this point.
2. I have to wear my unloader brace for another 6 months and then for any periods of extended time on my feet.
3. Everything looks and feels like it is healing nicely. I do have some popping and grinding still when the knee is flexed but the Doc told me that is fairly normal at this point and over time it should go away.
4. Stationary bike is a good thing as long as I don't overdo it! Thus, I keep doing what I am doing and I actually road 5 miles yesterday. My furthest bike ride in almost a year.
5. I asked if I could eventually Mountain bike again...while keeping my fingers crossed. To which I couldn't believe my ears...the answer was YES! In 18 months I can begin to mountain bike again. That news was almost too good to hear. I can't wait to get back on a bike soon- 18 months will not come fast enough. (And yes, I will be allowed to single speed as long as it isn't a steady diet of it)
6. Dr. Tarlow, also felt that the cells are growing like weeds and that over the next 20 weeks they should begin to morph into a thicker substance that resembles the new cartilage that is to come.
Overall, the news was all good. I couldn't be more excited.
Showing posts with label ACI and Fulkerson Scar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ACI and Fulkerson Scar. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
5 Thoughts on Loss and Pain
My goal is not to be a “Debby Downer” today. Actually, my desire is to do the complete opposite. I hope some of my reflections inspire you and even encourage you in some of the challenges you face. One thing is for sure...life is full of challenges.
Over the past ten months I have faced every emotion I can think of. At least, I think so...but now we are getting into some deep philosophy that probably only interests me...so let me get back to where I was. The last six years I have experienced some great moments of joy and at the same time have walked in seasons of pain and hardship. The season of pain has been eerily marked by six different surgeries. Each surgery provided its own unique challenges and unique recoveries. The latest of which has been the most difficult.
My ACI surgery (coupled with the Fulkerson Osteotomy) has not been the easiest surgery to recover from by any means. The 5 weeks spent in bed and the hours spent sitting in my chair has been challenging physically, but also emotionally. Knowing that life will have a new normal is part of the problem. However, the time down has given me great time to ponder the implications of pain, loss, and grief. Here are five things that I have learned, pondered, and even come to appreciate.
1. Balance - Pain, illness, injury...whatever you want to call it is exhausting. I have regularly found myself feeling or wishing that I could do more to handle the demands of life, to help around the house, to play with the kids. However, I have come to understand that even some of the most simple and mundane things become quite difficult when dealing with the stress of pain and illness. Not only does the physical pain see-saw back and forth...so do your emotions. I found it normal to watch my emotions go back and forth from negative thoughts to positive thoughts and back again in a matter of minutes.
In these moments it is helpful and very important to manage your energy well. Knowing that the stress of injury, illness, or pain drains your energy tank is a critical piece to the puzzle. Thus, you have to manage your energy wisely. Find things or people that bring you energy and avoid tasks and even people that drain energy. Make sure you to-do list is reasonable and don’t push your self beyond your energy level or you will pay for it!
2. Don’t let your injury or pain win - There have been moments that I have felt like succumbing to the pain or my identity as the guy with knee issues. Even spending time with good friends the conversation easily moves towards talking about my issues, my recovery, my pain as though there is nothing else to talk about. Don’t allow this to be come the new normal. Focus your conversations and help lead others to talk about the many other interesting things that help make you.
3. Talk with others who have been there before - Even with six surgeries over the past six years I had never gone through a prolonged season of being in pain. If you are anything like me...you probably haven’t either. In preparation for my last surgery knowing that the pain would be tremendous and the time laid up would be lengthy I sought out several people that had walked through similar hardships. These people gave me great information, understanding, advice, and ecnouragement. All of these things helped create for a foundation that would help me persevere through the challenges of surgery and rehab. The shared experiences showed me I wasn’t alone in this journey...which trust me is a nice reminder.
4. Don’t isolate yourself - When I am in pain and nursing an injury I find it easy to isolate myself from activity, people, etc. Bed rest also made it extremely easy to isolate myself and to spend time watching TV (not mentioning the pain meds). I think part of this is normal based on circumstances. However, fight through it. Ask people to visit and to bring your favorite milk shake from time to time (Mexican food was helpful too). Watch things that are uplifting and that don’t add weight to your already shaken emotions. And when possible...get out of the house. Going to church and even a restaurant helped me feel normal again.
5. See the bigger picture - I have come to recognize that without pain and hardship I would never come to know God as my Comforter. 2 Corinthians 1, tells us that in times of trial and in times of hardship, when we turn to God for answers and help He will be there and will be our Comforter. If we were to live life without pain, then we would never get to fully experience God for all that He is; without pain there is no need to be comforted. If this be true, then for us to truly mature and to become Christ like we must have periods of pain in our life! Thus, pain in the long run really is a blessing, because it is in our pain that we get to see and experience God.
Over the past ten months I have faced every emotion I can think of. At least, I think so...but now we are getting into some deep philosophy that probably only interests me...so let me get back to where I was. The last six years I have experienced some great moments of joy and at the same time have walked in seasons of pain and hardship. The season of pain has been eerily marked by six different surgeries. Each surgery provided its own unique challenges and unique recoveries. The latest of which has been the most difficult.
My ACI surgery (coupled with the Fulkerson Osteotomy) has not been the easiest surgery to recover from by any means. The 5 weeks spent in bed and the hours spent sitting in my chair has been challenging physically, but also emotionally. Knowing that life will have a new normal is part of the problem. However, the time down has given me great time to ponder the implications of pain, loss, and grief. Here are five things that I have learned, pondered, and even come to appreciate.
1. Balance - Pain, illness, injury...whatever you want to call it is exhausting. I have regularly found myself feeling or wishing that I could do more to handle the demands of life, to help around the house, to play with the kids. However, I have come to understand that even some of the most simple and mundane things become quite difficult when dealing with the stress of pain and illness. Not only does the physical pain see-saw back and forth...so do your emotions. I found it normal to watch my emotions go back and forth from negative thoughts to positive thoughts and back again in a matter of minutes.
In these moments it is helpful and very important to manage your energy well. Knowing that the stress of injury, illness, or pain drains your energy tank is a critical piece to the puzzle. Thus, you have to manage your energy wisely. Find things or people that bring you energy and avoid tasks and even people that drain energy. Make sure you to-do list is reasonable and don’t push your self beyond your energy level or you will pay for it!
2. Don’t let your injury or pain win - There have been moments that I have felt like succumbing to the pain or my identity as the guy with knee issues. Even spending time with good friends the conversation easily moves towards talking about my issues, my recovery, my pain as though there is nothing else to talk about. Don’t allow this to be come the new normal. Focus your conversations and help lead others to talk about the many other interesting things that help make you.
3. Talk with others who have been there before - Even with six surgeries over the past six years I had never gone through a prolonged season of being in pain. If you are anything like me...you probably haven’t either. In preparation for my last surgery knowing that the pain would be tremendous and the time laid up would be lengthy I sought out several people that had walked through similar hardships. These people gave me great information, understanding, advice, and ecnouragement. All of these things helped create for a foundation that would help me persevere through the challenges of surgery and rehab. The shared experiences showed me I wasn’t alone in this journey...which trust me is a nice reminder.
4. Don’t isolate yourself - When I am in pain and nursing an injury I find it easy to isolate myself from activity, people, etc. Bed rest also made it extremely easy to isolate myself and to spend time watching TV (not mentioning the pain meds). I think part of this is normal based on circumstances. However, fight through it. Ask people to visit and to bring your favorite milk shake from time to time (Mexican food was helpful too). Watch things that are uplifting and that don’t add weight to your already shaken emotions. And when possible...get out of the house. Going to church and even a restaurant helped me feel normal again.
5. See the bigger picture - I have come to recognize that without pain and hardship I would never come to know God as my Comforter. 2 Corinthians 1, tells us that in times of trial and in times of hardship, when we turn to God for answers and help He will be there and will be our Comforter. If we were to live life without pain, then we would never get to fully experience God for all that He is; without pain there is no need to be comforted. If this be true, then for us to truly mature and to become Christ like we must have periods of pain in our life! Thus, pain in the long run really is a blessing, because it is in our pain that we get to see and experience God.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Another Random Update
Today, I am at 9.5 weeks post-op. I have been a little hesitant to post anything lately because the progress is very slow. The knee is still a little swollen, the scar is healing nicely, my pain is manageable, and I am still in need of crutches to get around.
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When it comes to the pain...I would never classify the knee as feeling awesome, but it does feel a lot better than it use to. If I am honest, my progress seems to be moving at a glacial pace...the small increases in my ROM seems hardly enough material to write a blog about. However, for your own boredom I will keep on keeping on!!!
Yesterday, brought some more progress. I have slowly lowered the seat on the bike to help increase my range of motion. I only have three more notches until my seat is all the way down. I road for another 15 minutes yesterday. It did take a few minutes until the knee warmed up so that I could actually make a full revolution. Over the entire 15 minutes I set a new record for distance traveled. I rode bike a total of .59 miles over 15 minutes. Being a former competitive rider...It is hard to believe that I am celebrating such a small milestone on the bike...but you have to look at the little things.
I am getting more use to the brace everyday. I did try to take a step around the car door this week with out the use of my crutches. It was such a small distance I decided to give it a go. Let's just say that if it wasn't for the brace and the car being so close to me I would have been flat on my face. I am still not ready to walk unassisted yet. Monday brings some more changes and more to share.
.JPG)
When it comes to the pain...I would never classify the knee as feeling awesome, but it does feel a lot better than it use to. If I am honest, my progress seems to be moving at a glacial pace...the small increases in my ROM seems hardly enough material to write a blog about. However, for your own boredom I will keep on keeping on!!!
Yesterday, brought some more progress. I have slowly lowered the seat on the bike to help increase my range of motion. I only have three more notches until my seat is all the way down. I road for another 15 minutes yesterday. It did take a few minutes until the knee warmed up so that I could actually make a full revolution. Over the entire 15 minutes I set a new record for distance traveled. I rode bike a total of .59 miles over 15 minutes. Being a former competitive rider...It is hard to believe that I am celebrating such a small milestone on the bike...but you have to look at the little things.
I am getting more use to the brace everyday. I did try to take a step around the car door this week with out the use of my crutches. It was such a small distance I decided to give it a go. Let's just say that if it wasn't for the brace and the car being so close to me I would have been flat on my face. I am still not ready to walk unassisted yet. Monday brings some more changes and more to share.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Week 7 Update
As I write, I find it hard to believe that 7 weeks have already come and gone. The time has gone by slow and as I read other blogs about the recovery process I am constantly reminded that my case is the extreme. Most other ACI patients are walking unassisted or very close to walking unassisted by now. I still have another 5 weeks of using crutches.
Lately, nothing earth-shattering has really happened...unless you have gone to the gas pumps lately. The amount of money that it takes to fill up my little corolla about makes me pass out. I should at least be driving a nice truck or SUV for that kind of money. Any how...I am still making some progress.
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Lately, nothing earth-shattering has really happened...unless you have gone to the gas pumps lately. The amount of money that it takes to fill up my little corolla about makes me pass out. I should at least be driving a nice truck or SUV for that kind of money. Any how...I am still making some progress.
- I am still working on ROM. Now that there is no CPM I use our exercise bike and slowly make half-moon revolutions. That means I don't even make a full rotation, so don't get too excited about my progress. Riding a bike is still a long ways away.
- The last few days I have actually gotten out quite a bit. I have made to my first restaurant in 7 weeks, I hobbled around church this weekend, I took my son to a birthday party, and I actually made it back for a full day at the office yesterday.
- I think I pushed myself a little hard over the weekend. Sunday night I had a real hard time sleeping due to pain in the knee. Yesterday, I sat in the lazy-boy at the office and rested as I worked. Thus, last night was a better night.
I am still waiting to hear from the Doctor's office as to when my new brace will be ready. When I get the new brace on I will be able to introduce 25% of my body weight to my leg. Every little bit counts. Lastly, the scar continues to heal nicely. Here is a look at the scar at 7 weeks:
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