Chuck, chin up, buddy. Doctors always have a way of deflating moods. We're all getting old and older, we all have to face "issues". We get through them. You will, too.

Hey, a month will go by quickly. You'll be back at it for the July races!

Rode a fair bit today, had a moment here and there where I felt good. Thursday I will give the local crit a shot. Then show up at Dana Point for the GP on Saturday. Zero expectations. Then go in for the epidural Monday morning.

FWIW Chuck, I know a lot of the assumptions docs make about recovery are based on the low denominator and on a worst case scenario. They don't deal well with athletes and tend to dismiss people over 40ish as couch dwellers. On average we are 25-35% ahead of their curve.

Wait...why? So you want to ride a trainer? If so, what is his reason that you cannot do so? Low cadence, no hands or one hand. Does wonders for the legs and mind. I probably missed something along the way. Sorry if so.

I don't think anybody wants to ride a trainer. :) My plan is to start on it tomorrow. I've already mowed part of my lawn and chainsawed a rotten pine tree that fell in my yard, including pull-starting both the push mower and chainsaw, so I've got use of the arm back as long as I don't do crazy stuff.

Then ride outside... Might need another doctor, one more up to speed with athletes rather than the sedentary norm.

Exactly. Get a second opinion on your prostate, too. Someone who goes right to suggesting invasive surgery is a red flag to me.

Go ride your bike.

Ex, have some fun racing, will ya?

Actually, right now I desperately want to ride a trainer. Soon.

I was was just saying that the doc seemed to restrict you for quite some time from an activity that didn't require weight on your arm. There is not usually a medical reason for someone with a broken clavicle to stay off of a trainer.

I like to to remind myself that I am lucky even for those sessions. Eg, if I am in agony doing an interval session. Perhaps I might feel differently about it if I knew I was going to wind up in a back brace tomorrow, unable to ride for 100 days, unable to feel the sensation of pain in my legs. I try to retain that perspective.

I'm going to take a middle course - I'm going to set the trainer up outside.

Actually, he didn't. When I found out I had low grade prostate cancer a couple of years back, he's the one who told me that the simplest thing to do was just observe it. Now he's saying that it may be time to consider taking it out. I'll find out the outcome of the scans and talk about it with him next week. Nothing's been decided yet.

That's a different take. If there is elevated risk, as in you had prostate cancer, then by all means, go with his advice. But, I'd still get a second opinion.

Set the trainer up outside. I like it! Make sure it's raining.

Like when I went to PT for a torn MCL and the first thing the therapist suggested was a 15-minute spin on the stationary bike. I was like, nope, I didn't come here to ride the trainer!

Chuck,

A friend with early stage prostate cancer is having green-light laser surgery to improve the flow. It's supposed to be less invasive, with quicker recovery. You might wish to check into it. Let me know if you want more info.

No race tonight. No ride today. Working on getting one of the houses cleaned up and ready to get listed.

Nolan and Metcalf at Calavaras ITT tomorrow.

you moving again?

Not location per se. Trimming down inventory and consolidating.

6AM wakeup, 8:30 shot in the back. Should be home by mid day to start reviewing files.

Hope it really helps!

I see where MEA won it! My team mate took second. Pretty cool! Congrats to MEA!

Here's to things improving.....

Amen to that.

I get get drug tested today in preparation for obtaining disability insurance. After that it's Cinco de Mayo. Tacos and Coronas.

I tested a lot of drugs over the years.

150cc worth of Kickapoo Joy Juice into three spots in my back this morning.

Rules are rules, so I had to wear a hair net. Kept falling off. Insert IV needle blank and wheel me into the OR. "I'm going to give you a sedative now".

Ramones song runs through my head. On the third repeat I make a comment:

"I don't feel sedated"

"He likes to keep people awake"

And we begin. Jab, poke, jab pressure, Etc

"Can you feel that down your leg?"

"Why yes, yes I can (you *******)".

Walking a bit wobbly for an hour afterwards. Nerves not firing quite right. But that's been the issue anyway so it wasn't anything new.

We'll see in a few days if this helps.

Maybe in twenty, twenty, twenty-four hours to go.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...psa7b261ff.jpg

That should do the trick.

I'm thinking healing thoughts....