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| May 23, 2010 | | Status Update: I am now two and a half weeks out from surgery and I am getting to have some fun! | | This has been one heck of a week. Fast and furious was its theme. I received a ton of email this week. Thanks for all the well wishes that I received from all over the world. The internet is an amazing tool for research and for connecting people. I have thoroughly enjoyed speaking with a couple of folks who I have come to learn are in very similar situations. Ryan and Matt, I am praying for your health and your retun to sport.
This week started out with the Tempe International Triathlon where I enjoyed watching my mates kick some serious butt. While it is not as much fun as competing, supporting one's team and one's mates rates a very very close second -like 1 and 1A. Below is a shot of the group that won the Arizona Club Championship for the 5th time in 6 years!
As for me and my progress, lets get right to it. On Wednesday, I had my SKYPE doctors appointment with Dr. Glashow and his very cool PA Chris Prezzano. The application worked great. I am not sure why more medical professionals do not utilize this tool. I for one am definitely going to start using it in my practice. It is just common sense.
Anyway, Dr. Glashow took a good look at the incision and he had me show him some Extension and Flexion of the knee. And afterwards he changed my recovery protocol. I am now permitted to go to 0 on Extension and 100 on Flexion. Why is that big news? Its news because I require only 98 degrees Flexion on a stationary bike!! Thus, I can ride a little.
On Wednesday, I rode 12.5 minutes with no real problems. My leg did swell a little following that effiort. However, the swelling was above the knee and focused on the lateral release. I used my NormaTec Magic boots a bunch following that effort and the swelling resolved. As a result ,we took the ride up to 17.5 minutes by weeks end - with no related problems.
Another couple of weeks, and I will be able to introduce some resistance into these efforts :) Shortly after that I can become reaquainted with my trainer. Once that happens, no one will see me again as I will be holed up in my man cave where I can really start training again. My quads need to be rebuilt and I am excited about doing that. I plan on living on my computrainer doing real course and erg videos. I imagine I will be far removed from a 300 plus threshhold but WHATEVER. And then in about 6 weeks I can ride the flats outside. I have never anticipated a ride so much. I am so excited to ride and train with the FREAK. The FREAK is my primary motivator. I look forward to many countless hours swimming, biking, and running with the FREAK. The day I stomp the FREAK will indeed be a happy day whether it is in PONG or hotdog eating - it is on!!!! And lest I forget, AZCRUSHER I'm coming for you.
Below is a shot from Wednesday - my first day back on the bike. I have not been on a bike since February. I seriously missed it. Does my smile give that away? I can't even imagine how happy I will be onn my first run. FREAK are you up for that?
This week was huge for another reason: I have been cleared to swim. YES - I am back swimming. And as a result, I have started another 100 day swim challenge. That is 100 straight days with at least 3000 yards. I am excited about fulfilling that goal. Anyone who wants in on the challenge let me know. I have some huge news as it relates to swimming - I will let everyone in on that as soon as it is official.
I am using a bouy but I am allowed to do a little flutter kick. I am seriously stoked to be swimming again with my mates, Brian and Jeff. Without you guys this would not be nearly as much fun!!!! in 5 sessions I got in 19K. I will take it for my first week back. 30K next week. No doubt.
Also, I want to give a shout out to the folks at Flex Power. Thanks for standing behind me the last year. Your product seriously makes most of my pains go away. You guys win the MVP award for sure.
As I mentioned, the sweilling is starting to resolve and the incision is now tightly closed. And if you look very closely you might actually see some leftover muscle that has not atrophied quite yet. I could not be happier with the way the knee is healing. I feel most blessed. The affected knee is on the right of your screen and the incision is darn near gone :) I almost have a proper shaped knee again!!!!!!
P.T. is the staple of my day. I am up to about 3 hours a day at the facility. In addition to that, I am using the CPM device 3 hours a day. I use home stem unit for 45 minutes, the NormaTec boots for an hour a day and I do an hour of cryotherapy. Hence, right now, I am spending about 8.5 hours a day directly on rehab. I am also seeing a chiropratcor, Andrew Chavkin, who has just been amazing. Andrew works with several of the Coyotes and Cardinals and has really helped me get my body feeling better. Finally, I am getting 2 hours of massage a week with my gal - Sofie Walker. I have no doubt that these sessions have helped to keep the muscle bellies fresh and loose. In all seriousness, these sessions have helped me maintain some semblance of fitness.
Below is a shot of Triathlete Magazine contributing editor Wolfgang Oswald working on loosening some scar tissue. There is not a better and more caring therapist than Wolf. He is at Endurance Rehab. (http://www.endurancerehab.com) Give him a shout!!!
Speaking of caring therapists. Below is a shot of Nate Snell - Nate Koch's brother rom another mother - absolutely killing me several months ago. Nate just found out he is having twins so I wanted to give him a shout and tell the world that he means the world to me. NAte Snell - you rock man and you make a difference.
Muscle atrophy is my biggest problem right now. Thus, I have started hitting my quad with some serious electric stem. Nate says he wants this to be right at the pain threshhold. So twice a day I am a RUSSIAN ATHLETE circa 1980. Let me assure you - this little sucker can pack one heck of a punch. So much so that I have muscle fatigue and soreness after using it.
Here are some facts on the 300 PV Tens home unit. I really think it has been helping regain control over my quad. If you have a need contact Endurance Rehab and they can help you out.
This portable Neuromuscular Stimulation (NMES) device is a multi-function electrotherapy system, with the ability to function as a NMES, TENS, and High Volt Device. The 300PV offers all the flexibility and power of the larger, more costly tabletop “clinic” devices in a portable package that runs on rechargeable AA batteries. This makes it ideal for both clinic and home use. The 300PV generates a low level electrical stimulus to cause muscle contraction. Commonly adjusted parameters are waveform, pulse rate, and the length of device operation (duty cycle). - Easy to read LCD display
- 9 NMES and 4 High Volt pre-programmed regimens for a broad range of applications
- Full parameter control for clinicians that choose to customize individual programs
- Step-by-step setup and use
- Program lock to ensure patients’ use as prescribed outside of clinic
- Digital output-intensity is reproducible from patient-to-patient
In addition to all of the above, I have been focusing on creating an environment where the chondocytes that were transplanted into my knee have the best chance for success. To that end, Dr. Mark Rudderham who works for several of the Coyotes and Cardinals players has started to work with me. Once a week, the mad scientist creates a concoction of vitamins and minerals and who knows what else and mainlines that mix into me. Talk about starting a fire! Last week, Mark used a huge amount of magnesium and I literally thought I was going to take flight. Mark's work is making a diference in my recovery. Thanks mate for all your efforts!
I am looking for more and more gains each week. Thanks again for the mail and the well wishes. I am about 5 weeks out from walking and getting giddier and giddier.
Be well and thanks for checking in. Freak I'm coming for you.
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