Peter_C

That, my friend is what it's all about~! Yes, sore, stiff, swollen - but nothing like the daily pain that has been your life for all these years - many people can't get that, which is OK - but I so understand what you're saying here.

Neil_B

Final reading from home PT

Flexion: 125 Left, 111 Right
Extension: 5 Left, 0 Right

Bending on the right is a problem from the swelling and the nerve damage. The therapist think I might hit 130 on both sides when it clears up. Extension on the left is my old problem of the shorter hamstring. It might be a tissue contracture and I might never get to zero on that side. If so, I'll live with it.

zjrog

Neil, I am amazed with how you are doing. Swelling was a concern for me, I had significant swelling for quite some time. Yes, it is a limiting factor. I had issues with getting to zero extension too, but then again, I didn't have any correction. I hope you get the PT you want. Just make very clear what your goals are. And remember, some things just CANNOT be rushed.

Neil_B

If I don't get the outpatient PT I want, well, I'll live with it. My progress is based on my work ethic, not the therapist.

The home PT guy suggested I might not get past 130 based on my body shape. My calf is hitting my thigh at 125. There's not much more room to go.

Neil_B

And that daily pain prepared me for the discomfort of PT. Also, we talk a lot on this forum about how fast conditioning leaves you. Well, we should keep in mind how much remains. If I hadn't pushed myself hard all summer on rides, I'd be having a harder time now.

Peter_C

It's probably not what you want to hear, but am I hearing that you'd rather not go to PT unless it is at the one location? I do understand the desire to pick a good place for PT, but you really need to go for multiple weeks of PT regardless of where.

You may or may not get to zero on both sides, but I'd think you'd want to keep working at it in hopes that you *will* get to zero? If I mis-read your posts above, I am sorry, but I am feeling like you think you're done? There is a lot left to do my friend~! Still much progress to follow!

Neil_B

You are reading things into my statements Peter C. I wrote that its not the therapist but my work ethic that's important. How do you take that to mean I'm going to skip outpatient PT? I will treat it as something I do and not as something that's done to me.

I've written before about the short hamstring on the left. Fall of 2011 I had nerve blockers applied to the leg and the phsyiatrist could only get it to 5. Three courses of PT since 2007 and we never got past 5. If its a tissue contracture, as people think, we may never get it to 0. If we never get it to 0 in PT I will live with it. Again, I don't understand why you think this means I think I'm done.

Peter_C

As I said, perhaps I was reading into what you were saying Neil. I just don't want you to think this is all there is, is all. Between healing, and loss of swelling, there is much improvement still to be made. Yes, you may not get to zero - but I am hoping you will still shoot for zero on both sides as a goal - new parts and all that...

Yes. it's your efforts, but (hopefully) where-ever you go for PT, they will have some skills, and will be able to show you some ways to exercise that you may not know, or have thought of.

I wish to cheer you on, not bring you down. I am hoping to see some amazing stuff from you in the coming months~!

Neil_B

My Awesome never left me, Peter_C. It's not leaving me now. :=)

zjrog

Neil, my limit was the same, muscle and other tissue can't compress any further. Swelling is limiting you for now. You won't get a true idea of that limit though, until the swelling is gone. And I believed I had swelling, even just minor swelling, for a couple months past discharge from PT. And exercising and jogging could cause swelling as well, MONTHS after I felt healed. Remember pushing too hard can cause additional swelling, which sets you in a circle of self defeat. Of course, you know your body far better than anyone. But the bit about not having the daily pain you had been accustomed to makes it worthwhile. In a few more weeks you will be amazing yourself and the rest of us. But for now, lets concentrate on getting the quads firing and lifting you from the chair. Flex and extension are just numbers, as long as you can get through your day, up and down stairs safely and such, the rest is just gravy. Of course, I was obsessed with numbers. And that wasn't always good. I told my therapist, "Don't hurt me and don't let me hurt myself", meaning don't put me back in surgery or let me do it to myself... I trust him enough, I went back to him after my back surgery.

tergal

where is our update you slacker ?

Neil_B

I've been keeping off the forum after it came out I give "terrible advice" and "pretended to know" about cycling. Now that the truth is known I've stopped encouraging and giving advice to newbies. That and this thread were the only things keeping me here.

I've been cleared to drive by my surgeon provided I feel comfortable operating a car. I drove 15 miles tonight, and while I was never less than safe, I think until I'm more comfortable keeping my legs bent that long I'll restrict my driving to trips to PT, doctor visits, blood draws, and church. I had muscle cramps in my right leg while driving back to the house.

I purchased a cane today, a sturdy black one. I've named the cane "Herman" - if you followed American politics you'd get the pun. Walking with a cane is interesting. The rule is to hold the cane in the opposite hand to the injured leg. But both my legs are injured, so I guess it doesn't matter. I still use the walker for "transfers" - getting from my bed to a standing position, for instance, but I should be ditching the walker entirely in a week or so.

I start outpatient physical therapy this morning - in 8 hours or so. (It's 2 AM here now.) I'll let you know how it goes.

The nerve damage continues to heal, bit by bit. I still have a bit of a "drop foot" on the right, but when I'm wearing shoes it doesn't bother me. Only problem is that my big toe on my right foot doesn't raise up. This makes putting on socks and shoes a little odd - I always feel like my big toe doesn't want to fit in the shoe. I'm told eventually I'll get back full range of motion.

I need to start thinking about a return to work date. I guess my return will have to wait until I reach the point I can be out and about for a couple of hours and not need to take a nap immediately afterward. I still sleep a lot.

BTW, here's what I look like four weeks after surgery.... according to my four year old niece. Notice how straight my legs are. Where my neck went or why I have one arm twice as big as the other, ala Trogdor the Burninator, I don't know.

tergal

Awesome to hear mate, i guess with the cane just go with which ever leg is hurting the most that morning since they won't heal at equal rates.

Who said you gave terrible advice ? I don't read every post on here ( ok I do on a slow work day ) .

Tell them to shove it where the sun don't shine . They don't like it they don't have to read it . Seriously i am slightly confused, was it someone in the cyld section ? most of us weir.... errr people in here seem nice.

tergal

double post....... i am large but now the forums are telling me i take up two post spots

contango 

Nil carborundum illegitimatum...

There's always people who will disagree and assume that if you have a different approach to theirs then you must be wrong. You get them everywhere, but on message boards they've got a bit of anonymity behind them and get emboldened to take a more obnoxious line. I had someone challenge my claim that my ego could cope with being overtaken which gave me a real laugh given my first ventures on two wheels saw me overtaken by just about everything on the road, kids on bikes that squeaked and rattled included.

Bottom line, keep encouraging people. Coming from (IIRC) 400+ and overcoming what you've overcome is testament to you doing something right, and that alone can be an encouragement for people to give something a go.

Rowan

You should know better than to take on board what some of the wannabe posters here say. You've worn plenty of crap before and come through (I should know, we traded enough of it in the early days).

Plus, it must be heartening to have support of some of your family through this.

I would prefer you keep posting, at least on this subject. I have found it quite fascinating to follow your progress, particularly as we (Machka and I) can relate to some of your medical challenges. And because of those issues, not posting does cause a degree of concern about your welfare for most on this forum.

Rowan

Oh, I see...

I wouldn't worry about that poster. He's over-opinionated and when he is challenged, usually gets all narky and wants to denigrate people who don't agree totally with what he says. I think he believes the C&A forums is his realm and his opinions is the only ones that count.

I learned to leave him and his posts alone. It also means I don't participate as much in this forum as I might, but also fortunately he doesn't roam too far into others that I like to browse.

Neil_B

Normally I'd fight but I'm a little low on energy the past five weeks or so. It's a public relations battle he's won because I have to focus on other things.

I rescheduled my first outpatient PT to tomorrow because I woke up dizzy and fatigued. I think its a combination of lack of sleep and working with a cane yesterday. The napping is throwing off my sleep schedule.

Neil_B

I've been too weak, in more than one way, to contact you privately, but since you brought it up the biggest surprise in the response of the Forum has been our improved relations, Rowan. Thank you. Thank you in so many ways.

Neil_B

Too much Marmite....

tergal

gag , but at least it tastes better than Vegemite .

As the resident Insomniac,
i will advise if you can get 4 hours sleep at night and then find you are unable to get more, that is ok . Get up and grab a apple site out side and eat it for 15 mins. Then go lay back down . I do this but in breaks of 2 hours..... if i am lucky.

We are conditioned to handle group sets of 4 hours sleep yet we are told by teachers/TV we need 8 .

Neil_B

Most days that would be the right leg, since it had so much correction. The left has an excellent range of motion, the right less so. And I have the nerve damage to deal with as well.

Neil_B

I spent most of the morning sleeping, and felt better. But I was still run down and stiff. Weather was cold and windy, and until the soft tissues heal I'll still 'feel' weather changes. Eventually it will get to the point it won't matter - as I told Peter C I don't have pain in the knees anymore. And I am getting used to the clunking feeling of the metal and plastic parts moving past each other as I recline in bed.

Meanwhile I keep planning on trips as I recover.... nothing as lengthy as Rowan and Machka's adventures, but trips by bike, by canoe, by foot.... I want to canoe on the Conemaugh River at Johnstown, site of the infamous 1889 flood. I'd like hike part of the Appalachian Trail, the 38 mile segment across Maryland. I want to ride the Greenbriar River Trail in West Virginia this fall, and the Montour Trail here in PA. But I find it hard to plan my return to work, let alone trips, if I have so little stamina and am still using a mobility aid. Oh well. I will be back out there soon. I just can't say when yet.

tergal

Just be carefull with "sleeping most of the morning" that will throw you rhythm out for that night. Which in the long run will be less sleep .

Canoes are evil...... traveling over water is evil.... that is all i have to say on this subject.


you will get there, you have barely started your recovery.

CBuff

Neil,

Please do keep posting your status.
I am interested to hear the story of your recovery and return to the adventures you have planned.

I welcome your advice and find it helpful and encouraging, so don't let the turkeys get you down.