VeganRider

I posted on 1/1/07 about being hit by a car and the hit and run driver. Had a visit a couple days later with the same doctor that took care of the same leg two years ago. He has a reputation as one of the best in the United States, so I got luckey. Other area hospitals send people to him that they are unable to take care of.
My left tibia was broken in an accident a couple years ago and they had to cut the skin on top of my knee cap, move it back and enter the leg from there to drill a hole down into the bone all the way to my ankle and drive a titanium rod in to hold the broken parts and then screw it to the bone top and bottom from the side.(makes me sick typing it) Anyhow,,, when the car hit me this time, that leg broke, and bent the titanium rod, (they call it a nail for some reason) . It held my leg together but the tube, errr nail bent and my leg is 10* off. The natural bow from the inside is gone and he told me there was a chance my knee and ankle would be ok but he couldn't promise it. He said a year later we could find out those joints were having problems and they would have to start all over, remove the nail and break my leg, etc..I asked what he would do if it were his leg, and he said without a doubt he would have the operation, which is take the nail out and replace it with one that is not bent, the leg is already broken and it would be easy. I said OK.
I wish he never would have said there was a chance I could be ok without the operation. First time around I was a mess, something had to be done right away; no choices and no time to think about things. Last week I told him how nervous I was about it and he said don't worry its not like were going to ask you to help, we'll do all the work for you on this one. Nice try doc, but it's not working.

Shortrider06

Good luck man i hope everything works out for the better

VeganRider

Thanks, Im probably upset for no reason, I just hate the idea of being put to sleep again. Now I'm trying to think of the operation as a cycling upgrade of sorts.

cyclezealot

been there done that. Mine was the rotor cuff. My feelings, what you don't know won't hurt you. Ah, those surgery movies they provide the patient with. I'd rather re-watch Breaker Morant. Chin up. you'll be ok. you have a great doctor.

Stallionforce

Hey man that sounds really rough! Hang in there, I'm sure the doc gave you great advice. I hope you pull through. Make sure to update us.

VeganRider

thanks guys, think I should try to go get some sleep, rather late. So, good nite and I will post back later when I can.

arsw1

wishing you all the best...

ps. I think you will have some sleep during the operation from the anesthetics.. won't you? a chance to catch up on sleeping right there

secondsaway

Wow. I hope everything works out for you. Sounds like you deserve a change in luck. Ive still got a titanium leg myself and know a little what you are going through (mine not as drastic as yours). You will overcome it all Just take your time and try not to rush your recovery.

All the best!!!!!!!!!!!

biker7

By best to you as well. Sounds as though you are in the best hands possible. That is all you can do.
I wish you faith in your Doctor's and hopefulness for a speedy recovery to get back on your bike in no time.
George

slvoid

Think of it as a second chance..

DrPete 

VR, sounds like you made the right decision. I hope all goes well and your recovery is a quick one. Your physical therapist is your friend!

substructure

Hang in there man. I know being put under is kinda nerve racking. I had to be operated on after a bike accident. I hated thinking about it. All went well though and I'm back riding.

Just try and think of all the positives.
To quote the psycho off Happy Gilmore (and a quote I live by):

You gotta rise above it. You gotta harness in the good energy, block out the bad. Harness energy, block bad. Feel the flow, Happy. Feel it. It's circular. It's like a carousel. You pay the quarter, you get on the horse. It goes up and down and around. Circular. Circle. With the music. The flow... all good things.

Strong Bad

I hope you have a quick recovery. Let us know how things turn out.
Good Luck!

BillK

Good luck man, it sounds like you made the right decision.

Signed,

A fellow metal collector (stainless steel plate and 10 screws in my right leg/ankle).

John Wilke

[he said don't worry its not like were going to ask you to help, we'll do all the work for you on this one. ]

I bet that's not the first time he's used that line.

I like it though, then next he'll say "we did our job, now do yours and work hard in physical therapy".

Be sure to post some post-op pics!

Good luck and work hard.

jw

pathdoc

God bless you and know it will all be okay in the long run. Good luck.

cuda2k

Best wishes for a speedy recovery from the surgery. I watched my dad go through a lot of pain because he was too stubborn to get into a proper doctor and have the surgery (on his back) he had been needing. He ended up doing a fair bit more damange by waiting as long as he did and caused secondary injuries that he eventually had to have surgery on as well. Moral of this tale: when the top doc in the area says without a doubt he'd do the surgery if he was in your shoes, then it's likely best done now.

Nessism

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

JayC

Good luck! I know what its like to have worry from surgery hanging over you, hopefully everything goes perfectly.

yairi

You're lucky that rod wasn't carbon fiber, would've exploded

seriously best wishes with it, heal up quick and get back on the road!

marcpotash

Good luck with the operation. I have titanium in my spine from a mountain bike accident. Keep on biking!!!

RdRash

Good luck. Everything will be fine !

Al1943

You made the right decision and you'll be back on the bike soon.

valesosa

Good Luck.. Keep us updated with how it goes...

microtonal

I know how you feel. I had surgery on Saturday to put my thumb back together after a crash on the commute to work. I was extremely nervous about going under (1st time) and asked for something to take the edge off soon after I checked into the hospital. This helped and apparentely I went under with a smile on my face. Good luck, you'll be fine.