The Sickies/Injured/Recovering Thread (Page 8)

thats great!  I've had many thank god for swimming moments!

Quincyf

I had a capsular shift.  Essentially my shoulder would dislocate or sublux whenever it felt like it so the DR tightened up the capsule that kind of holds the arm into the shoulder socket...best I can explain it. 

no real progress yet but will keep you all informed.  Once I can raise my arm overhead I will be one happy capmer. 

Alicia, how often do you have chemo? I may have missed where you explained it. Do you think once you stop the chemo and are just getting "fried" you will feel better? Although you seem to be maintaining pretty well! Happy weekend, re-sending positive vibes to you and everyone else!

Good grief girl...I get it, and what a miserable injury. I have a new sense of awe for the amazing evolutionary process that gave us...the shoulder...must be flexible, but can be too flexible as to become unstable...fine line.  I had an unusual, and large posterior labral tear from top to bottom. No literature I have come across describes it. My surgeon put 3 anchors in it, and here's to hoping it's not "over stabilized" in the back to cause subluxation in the front. It will be a while before I know for sure.

Have you gotten a second opinion as to why your healing is going so slow? Perhaps you need new perspective?

Incognito, back problems are the worst! Whenever I get sluggish, I tend to go through a period of back and neck spasms...seriously the worst thing I can do is to stop working out, weird huh? How exactly does one begin aqua jogging? I was thinking I might try it. Less for the lack of  weight bearing aspect and more for the "if you fall down you won't re-bust your shoulder" aspect.

Glad someone mentioned this thread to me.

A little back ground info: Approx. 10 years ago I broke my lower back (rearended by a semi truck at a stop light). I went through all the usual tests, couple surgeries, PT, drugs (pain), etc. Basically I was told I would be in pain the rest of my life and was given a 45% disability rating. So, for years I just did nothing except take pills on occassion for flair-ups, and made the best of my life as I could.

Now, the brain kicked in and told me to quit feeling sorry for myself and get off my sorry a$$. I came from a very athletic background. Played soccer, football, track, wrestling, etc. I looked in the mirror one day and said "Who is this sorry looking person."

So, last spring I decided to start training for tri's. Man it felt so good! Everything went great and even did a sprint and a 5k. I felt on top of the world. Yes, I still lived with the back pain, but it was worth it.

In early August, just 1 1/2 weeks away from my second sprint, my back gave out again. Went to see the docs and was diagnosed with a lower lumbar compression fracture, 2 bulging discs and a herniated disc. What a blow! Doc said no race, no bike, no swim, no running. WTF! Of course it was depressing.

So, it's been back to PT tests and more tests, treatments and more treatments. I finally have been able to ride the bike again (with some adjustments to lower pain) not quite aero, but I've been riding. In Jan. I finally will be back in the pool. Aqua therapy, but back in the pool. Still no running.

Anyway, the proscess has been slow, I do what i can, and pray I have time to ready for next season. I planned an Oly for April, but that looks to be out. I'm going for a century race in June and will take it from there.

Thanks for this thread and taking the time to read this. To everyone else here, Keep Your Heads Up!

Calgolddigger

I had two herniated discs and had surgery back in the late 90s. My back hurt daily for years and I thought it could never get back.

Back in 2003 I started to lose weight and got fit. I wasn't sure I could ever ride a road bike as back pain limited me. Turns out as my health improved pain got better. Now my back acts up maybe 10-15 days a year often before my big races as it is a weak point.

Back in 1997-2004 I would never dreamed I could do what I have including 4 full IMs, 2 IM aquabikes, and IM relay as biker.

Keep faith and keep working on improving.

If things don't go as expected, consider getting second opinion.

For my knee, I saw 6 orthos, 2 other specialist, 5 PTs all in effort to figure out what was wrong with me and what was the best treatment option for me.

Really great to see folks telling their stories and checking in, etc. Thank you!

I'm doing okay. Actually, I'm doing great. Was able to put in well over an hour of exercise type stuff today, and some normal life activity.

It still boggles my mind that I have to spend most of my day in bed. Obviously, when I think about the last 18mos, what's boggling is that I don't spend more time in bed, but hey.

Last home PT visit today. I was able to bend my knee to 107 degrees compared to 125 in healthy knee.

I have driven a couple of times and feel more like my normal self. Knee and incisions tend to get sore after I do more.

The lack of ability to carry things and walk is frustrating at times, but having big family helps often. We are packing to travel for holidays and as the chief organizer, packer I have to trust others to do what I normally do.

Thanks everyone!

PT is going well. I'm curently doing core training x2 week (and daily at home) and I'm starting Aqua therapy this next week. Really looking forward to be back in the pool.

For the first time in 3 months, after PT, my pain didn't escalate. I kicked the pain meds 3 weeks ago so I could better gauge my pain. Feeling pretty good.

I've decided to forgo my Oly in Late April and continue rehab and training. I am signing up for my first Century ride on June 30th. Biking is the one thing I haven't stopped and I'm excited for this race. After that, well we'll see what the doc. says. Hopefully I can do at least 1 sprint, 1 Oly, and I want to shoot for my first 70.3 in late Aug here in Tahoe.

Anyway, everyone keep up on the rehab and PT.

That is awesome. I remember being there (I came back from 2 compression fx and herniated discs in lumbar as well). Don't get discouraged if it still does escalate sometimes. As you've figured out, recovery/healing isn't always this straight line up. Overall, it will get better.

In 11/2 I crashed my bike and broke my left scapula.  Today I had my last scheduled physical therapy session.  I've got back full range of motion, but I'm still down 60% in strength and I've been told it will be a year before I'm 100%.  I've been able to used my bike trainer since a week after the accident, started running after 3.5 weeks, and got back in the pool after 5 weeks.  I've lost fitness in all 3 areas, with the worst being swimming, but at least I've got my training minutes back where I want them.

(scapula_small.JPG)

TriAya...first of the word is now "bleaching and zapping" as you put it!!..lol...I make everyone laugh when I get to the clinic...TriAya you rock and by the way I just love your under water pics...it also sounds like you are doing sooooo much better!!! take it easy though....gooooo slow! (thank you for starting this thread!)

Kathy...I hope your trip to the family goes well and your speedy recovery continues...you are a great inspiration

Cagolddigger...so HAPPY that you are planning on the olympic tri and have set up your all your races!! woohooo go for it...keep up the recovery process

Nickster...wow, your recovery is awesome! even if you think it is going slow...being able to bike on the trainer, swim and run so soon after your accident is incredible...I bet you will get strong again before the one year!

Me...I am half way through my chemo!!! 3 more...and I have about 10 radiations left..I am walking/running when I feel up to it. The fatigue is pretty bad and my brain feels foggy sometimes but I at least walk the dog several times when I don't do my 1-3 miles. I cant wait to get back to swimming! I just love the water.

Happy holidays to all! and may 2012 bring us health and lots of great races!!

Alicia

Yikes ... fried Alicia! Well humor helps, it really does. Congrats on getting halfway through. Must be soothing to be able to walk the dog even if you can't walk/run. Sometimes just getting out helps.

Happy Chrismakwanzukah and a Merry {MELON PRESS} to you!

I'm definitely doing better. Last two days I've almost managed to live like a normal person (leaves me tired as all get out, but still). Also, I'm not always feeling like puking after eating.

Can keep up a good hour or so of exercise a day albeit v. low intensity. Yoga is still my friend.

TriAya, thanks for starting this thread. It's nice knowing I Am about to just vent, and not have it seem like a pity party.

Trirun26, amazing.  Love your positive attitude. 

I'll try to keep this short.

I feel like I am getting into a rut with bad medical news. I continue to have major complications with sinuses.  Much more advanced than the person with allergies, and the occasional sinus infection. I had a mold exposure back in 2000, which is the only thing I or any doctor can link to this condition. Within 2 months of living in an apartment back in 2000, I developed asthma (now it’s mostly gone, strongly believing endurance sports helped), and also developed severe polyp growth in my sinus cavities.  This causes no airway through the nose and severe pressure.  Well, 11 surgeries later, over the course of the last 11 years, and 5 specialists, I still battle this. I finally found an amazing doctor at Yale. But the problem is still yet to be solved.  Last fall (Sept 2010) I developed an infection in the lining of my brain, requiring another invasive 7 hour surgery, and another surgery 6 weeks later, followed by a severe reaction to the meds I had via IV at home. For the most part, the inside of my nose is somewhat hollow.  But it does not look like Michael Jacksons!!

Anyway, I met my Dr again on Tuesday, with not so good news. More significant polyp growth, requiring another surgery, number 12. I am able to hold off until February.  I haven’t had sense of smell in 11 years.  NONE.  I guess that is a good thing sometimes.  Ha ha.

On top of all this, I was involved in a not at fault car accident in Sept.  Anterior and posterior Labrum tear, and partial rotator tear in the right shoulder.  Surgery Jan 13th.  Early 2012 is not looking so good.  Anyway, wishing everyone a very safe and happy holiday season.  Thanks for letting me vent.  Yes, I am thankful it is not far worse.

Hey rizer! Thanks for posting!

Wow. That is some serious, serious, serious stuff, and a lot of it, too. The stuff itself is awful and painful, and then the feeling like "When is this going to END?!" ...

You've got a lot of love and sympathy here.

Rizer,

I have no answers (but lots of sympathy) on your sinus issues, I am so sorry you are having to go through that.

I did, however, just have surgery to repair my shoulder labrum (180 degree posterior...kind of a weird one). If you have any specific questions, let me know, maybe some stuff I have learned can help you. I was thinking mostly along the lines of what you can and can't expect to be able to do, and things to help while you are recovering and temporarily disabled. I've discovered that I've had to adapt to some stuff I wasn't expecting (flossing teeth=nearly impossible, putting on socks verrrrry difficult), found some nice to have items (special icing sleeve for shoulder=my best new friend), and some stuff I thought was going to be terrible isn't really (sleeping in an armchair not required, etc.).

Good luck, let me know if I can help.

Q

Quincy, greatly appreciate that.  I will prob have some questions.  Not looking forward to it, but at least I am not having it done in the middle of summer. How far out are you from surgery, and what is your expected return to s/b/r?

I had the surgery about a week and a half ago on the 13th of December. I am already cleared to stationery cycle, but frankly, I am still dealing with some pain and fatigue so I've decided to hold off for a few more days. I have to keep my elbow basically at my side for 5 more weeks, and PT will start in 9 more weeks (my surgeon does not feel an aggressive PT approach is warranted or wise). I am assuming sometime around there I will be cleared to get on the elliptical, then run on the treadmill, then run outside, then bike outside, in that order. I won't even be able to discuss swimming until June and that's if everything goes smoothly.

So to put it another way, I expect to be able to start B/R on time in February for IMOO, but the swim is going to lag until June(hopefully I will be able to swim at all!). He does think it will eventually heal completely. The question for me this year is will it be soon enough to swim enough to get thru IMOO. 

Rizer22...wow, sorry you have been dealing with so much!! Your attitude is impressive. it is amazing what our bodies can put up with when we have a positive attitude, right?

Quincy...Glad your shoulder surgery post op is coming along. Smart, in taking it easy! I am sure you will be at the IM start next year...have no fear!

I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday!

Alicia

I just love that I'm in tri shorts, and that I've been able to do a full-on Christmas: tree trimming, cooked the whole Christmas feast, baking, and watching over my mum (who has Alzheimer's) the whole time as well since we just had to fire her nurse.

We'll see about getting back to some kind of a training schedule this coming week.

Glitter Graphics - Myspace - Orkut - Bebo - Hi5 - Friendster - Facebook - eBay