Crash was now 3 weeks ago, I left the hospital one week ago. I am still not allowed to take anything by mouth except small sips H2O a fews times a day. I'm taking in 2500+ cal/day through a stomach feeding tube. My weight at the time of the accident was 145; it was 132 when I got home, It is 135.8 today. BF % remains steady @ 5.0%. I am walking daily, yesterday 1.25 miles in 40 min (oh how the mighty have fallen.) My finger, hand and forearm weakness and parasthesias (numbness, temperature insensitivty and other odd sensations) persists but is slowly improving. I am in a neck brace for who knows how much longer - seeing the neurosurgeon who is managing this next Tuesday. I will have a swallowing study on Oct 20th, and hope to start eating after that. Once I can take calories by mouth and my cervical collar is off, I can start to think about phase 2: rebuilding strength and weight so I can return to work and start training again. My goal for those two is the first of the year.
The other major issue will be jaw repair and replacement of lost lower front teeh (8). I'm seeing the oral srgeon about that in ten days. That may affect other timelines, of course.
I have a secret (guess no longer) goal to go to Tempe and watch IM AZ Nov 19-21, to get some IM mojo and sign up for next year. I still intend to finish IM CDA next June.
A short blog entry giving my graphic description of the accident is here.
Great to hear how you are doing Al!! Thanks so much for keeping us all posted. Continue to think of you throughout every day hoping and praying that you are getting better, stronger and healing!!! Sounds like you still have your IM mojo!
Al- Thanks for the continuing updates on your progress. I have no doubt that with your determination you will toe the line @ ;CDA in '11. Wish I could buy you your "first" beer when you get to have it .
Al: Great to hear from you. Good to hear you are home and healing. You may have that g-tube for a little while. Even when you can eat or take things by mouth, you may not be able to get the full calories your body needs. It can be there to make up the difference.
John and I would love to see you at IMAZ. Keep healing. We're sending healing thoughts your way!
Al, My thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery are with you! You are an amazing and inspirational person! Going through a crash three weeks ago and you have a plans to race in IMCDA and IMAZ next year! Absolutely amazing! I bow down in homage! Best wishes and Blessings upon you!
It's been six weeks since my accident, thought I'd give a brief update here.
I am now free of all external devices: C-Collar is gone from my neck as of Tuesday, and the gastrostomy tube is outta my stomach as of Thurs. I am "eating" (drinking) 3000+ calories a day, but still weigh 9-10 # less than my racing weight. Swallowing is still one of my two major problems; I can only handle single textures at a time, and seem to be progressing a glacial pace. I see the speech therapist for additional evaluation in Monday.
My other major issue is the continuing evidence of spinal cord contusion at levels C 6 and 7: parasthesias (numbness, pain, temperature sensitivity) in my index fingers, and weakness which I feel in my forearms. PT and OT are on tap for early next week.
I will see the dentist on Monday to get impressions so they can make me a temporary partial lower plate, to use during the 18-24 month process of multiple operations to repair my lower jaw (bone grafts needed) and implant permanent replacement teeth.
I lifted weights for the first time today - sheesh, 3 (three!) pounds is all I can manage with my left triceps weakened by the spinal cord bruising, and sit ups were out as my G-Tube site is still healing. I went very easy, about 1/3 the weight I usually do on all other exercises, and hope to build to normal routine there within 6 weeks. Tomorrow I will try to swim for the first time, then put the bike on the trainer for 10-15 minutes on Tuesday. I've been walking 5-7 tmes a week, up to 3.75 mi/one hour now. I will try to run a minute, walk 9 minutes, or less running if necessary, on Wednesday. My goal with S/B/R is to be able to start the OS sometime between Dec 15 and Jan 1.
I will be attending IM AZ, as I am already signed up, and want to get some EN and IM mojo, as well as see a swim start for once in my life! I'll sign up for 2011, too. So far, the only triathlon goal I have for 2011 you can see in my sig line below. I just don't know what I will be capable of, or when.
I plan on returning to work right after Thanksgiving, or when I get my temporary dental plate, whichever comes later. My goal is to be able to perform fully at a half time level as an Ob-Gyn as of the first of the year.
I have no doubt that you will exceed your goals. You're already well on your way. Your years of IM experience are obviously serving you well. Very impressive!
Thanks so much for the update Al! I'm sure the team in Arizona will be thrilled to have you there spectating and supporting them! I'm looking forward to you joining the Jan OS group- it's gonna be a pretty big & cool group this year :-)
Al, I have treated a lot of facial trauma patients in the past and most of them don't get better nearly as quickly as you seem to be doing. That says a lot for your healthy lifestyle but also your mental toughness and positive attitude. Having goals is a great thing and a strong motivator. Hope to meet you at the races one day.
Al - Great to hear about the progress...Wonderful to hear you are out of the collar and other external devices. I had the collar on for 4 months when I fractured my C7, so remember well the freedom of losing it....On the numbness and weakness in the tricep - I still have some of that almost 4 years later - but the good thing is it doesn't impact Running or Swimming - and on biking just need to stetch the neck muscles from time to time.....so confidnent you will be back better than ever...and I'm counting on you to be at IMCDA so that I can tap into your experience. Look forward to meeting you then....Beers on me!
Comments
This week's update:
Crash was now 3 weeks ago, I left the hospital one week ago. I am still not allowed to take anything by mouth except small sips H2O a fews times a day. I'm taking in 2500+ cal/day through a stomach feeding tube. My weight at the time of the accident was 145; it was 132 when I got home, It is 135.8 today. BF % remains steady @ 5.0%. I am walking daily, yesterday 1.25 miles in 40 min (oh how the mighty have fallen.) My finger, hand and forearm weakness and parasthesias (numbness, temperature insensitivty and other odd sensations) persists but is slowly improving. I am in a neck brace for who knows how much longer - seeing the neurosurgeon who is managing this next Tuesday. I will have a swallowing study on Oct 20th, and hope to start eating after that. Once I can take calories by mouth and my cervical collar is off, I can start to think about phase 2: rebuilding strength and weight so I can return to work and start training again. My goal for those two is the first of the year.
The other major issue will be jaw repair and replacement of lost lower front teeh (8). I'm seeing the oral srgeon about that in ten days. That may affect other timelines, of course.
I have a secret (guess no longer) goal to go to Tempe and watch IM AZ Nov 19-21, to get some IM mojo and sign up for next year. I still intend to finish IM CDA next June.
A short blog entry giving my graphic description of the accident is here.
-Al
Al- Thanks for the continuing updates on your progress. I have no doubt that with your determination
you will toe the line @ ;CDA in '11. Wish I could buy you your "first" beer when you get to have it 
.
Trilled to see you back posting again. Your wisdom around here was definitely missed.
John and I would love to see you at IMAZ. Keep healing. We're sending healing thoughts your way!
Al, My thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery are with you! You are an amazing and inspirational person! Going through a crash three weeks ago and you have a plans to race in IMCDA and IMAZ next year! Absolutely amazing! I bow down in homage! Best wishes and Blessings upon you!
It's been six weeks since my accident, thought I'd give a brief update here.
I am now free of all external devices: C-Collar is gone from my neck as of Tuesday, and the gastrostomy tube is outta my stomach as of Thurs. I am "eating" (drinking) 3000+ calories a day, but still weigh 9-10 # less than my racing weight. Swallowing is still one of my two major problems; I can only handle single textures at a time, and seem to be progressing a glacial pace. I see the speech therapist for additional evaluation in Monday.
My other major issue is the continuing evidence of spinal cord contusion at levels C 6 and 7: parasthesias (numbness, pain, temperature sensitivity) in my index fingers, and weakness which I feel in my forearms. PT and OT are on tap for early next week.
I will see the dentist on Monday to get impressions so they can make me a temporary partial lower plate, to use during the 18-24 month process of multiple operations to repair my lower jaw (bone grafts needed) and implant permanent replacement teeth.
I lifted weights for the first time today - sheesh, 3 (three!) pounds is all I can manage with my left triceps weakened by the spinal cord bruising, and sit ups were out as my G-Tube site is still healing. I went very easy, about 1/3 the weight I usually do on all other exercises, and hope to build to normal routine there within 6 weeks. Tomorrow I will try to swim for the first time, then put the bike on the trainer for 10-15 minutes on Tuesday. I've been walking 5-7 tmes a week, up to 3.75 mi/one hour now. I will try to run a minute, walk 9 minutes, or less running if necessary, on Wednesday. My goal with S/B/R is to be able to start the OS sometime between Dec 15 and Jan 1.
I will be attending IM AZ, as I am already signed up, and want to get some EN and IM mojo, as well as see a swim start for once in my life! I'll sign up for 2011, too. So far, the only triathlon goal I have for 2011 you can see in my sig line below. I just don't know what I will be capable of, or when.
I plan on returning to work right after Thanksgiving, or when I get my temporary dental plate, whichever comes later. My goal is to be able to perform fully at a half time level as an Ob-Gyn as of the first of the year.
Al,
I have no doubt that you will exceed your goals. You're already well on your way. Your years of IM experience are obviously serving you well. Very impressive!
Keep us posted on your progess.
Matt