On the Road to Recovery

zildgen

Well team I'm 1 week Post-op from arthroscopy of left knee. Healing well. Still mild to mod swelling. Doc said continue cruches for 1 more week. But can start swimming (Pull only) . Also starting PT next week. . Weight is still an issue up a little but holding. The pain meds supressed my will power a little. Looking to realy hit stride with diet plan that I lost 100+ pounds with and strart getting ready for next year.

Swanie

This would be a good thread to track your body comp and fitness goals with the rest of the team. You should post a couple times a week here on your progress. We are pulling for you and would like to stay on top of your progress. It would also give you some accountablity knowing that there are some us looking for the latest update.

zildgen

Steve I like the idea and will use this as a mini blog. Thanks and heal fast.

[Deleted User]

Good luck Dewey!

zildgen

Went to PT yesterday for initial evaluation. All went well until I popped my upper incision open. Had to go to Doc for assessment. All is OK, no infection or serious issues will just take a little longer to heal. He did start antibiotics just in case and said OK to continue PT. As for the PT have to do 2 sessions per day for ~ 40 min with 20 min icing at completion. Focus is on restoring strength and range of motion. It is amazing to me how much better the knee feels after only 3 sessions. Have only gained 3 pounds with the sit and stay associated with the initial recovery so not too bad. Diet plans have been a little derailed this week with issues at home, mainly wife and kids are involved in VBS at church so will get more strict next week. Have yet to get back in the pool but will make it back next week for a swim or 2. All in all things going well.

Peter Greagg

Thanks for keeping us in the loop. Glad to hear the good news
I hear you on the diet front.

jhbinsc

Wow. Very good news to hear!

penlynwilson

Great news Dewey! Don't forget you may be retaining fluid while your body deals with the inflammation, meds, etc.

Probiotics may be a good idea once you stop the anitbiotics.

Swanie

Great to hear, Dewey!

zildgen

Thanks all for the positive vibe.

zildgen

Knee is healing well and I see improvement every day. Still not been in the pool as I'm afraid to swim with it open. PT is going well, have good range of motion and strength is returning but is still very swollen though only softball size now verse watermelon size. Never knew your knee could swell so much. Have another PT appointment tomorrow then a weekend away with my wife, no kids. First time since 10th wedding anniversary (12 years ago) so my diet will likely suffer a little. Weight is holding steady still have not kicked the diet into high gear just resting and recovering and being mindful of what I'm eating. Not sure if I will race this year. Thinking I might just focus on losing as much weight as possible until starting the OS and go from there. Also need to look at next year and start planing. Have to admit a little Leary of signing up with WTC due to cost and refund policy but likely will. Will also have to decide if will try for Iron distance next year or get a season of Oly's and HIM's in 13 then tackle the monster in 2014.

Peter Greagg

Thanks Dewey for the update!
Congratulations on staying focused on recovery. And enjoy your weekend with your wife.

Gordon Cherwoniak

Dewey,

Nice job on the recovery.  Enjoy the weekend away.  Probably not a bad idea to focus on body comp and getting the knee to full strength for the OS. 

Gordon

Dino Sarti

Great thread, Dewey! I have been in a bit of slump since falling down running 3 weeks ago. I thought I had it licked, ran 9 miles this AM and am sore again. Argh! Too much too soon,, I guess. I am thinking about a PT evaluation after my vacation next week. We shall see....

Your story is amazing and reminds me that I have it easy. Take care and keep posting!

zildgen

Had a great weekend, great food and even better time with my lovey better half. Spent weekend at a marriage conference and man it was amazing. Great stuff and great connection with my with. Also as a bonus I lost 1 pound last week with no real diet plan only keeping a better watch on what and how much I was eating.
Knee is felling a ton better. Still seems unstable but I am hoping that that is due to the swelling though better is still there.

Gordon and Peter: thanks for the support. Peter keep killing the OS. Gordon Hope IMLP prep is going well for you.

Dino: Sorry to hear about your injury. Hope the pain is not in the knee joint. That was where mine started. You may also want to have a good sports med Doc take a look at your knees as well. Keep us in the loop.

Swanie

Nice Dewey! Keeping things in sync at home will create a good training environment when you hit hard again.

zildgen

Sorry to take so long to get a post in but things have been a little busy here. Knee is still swollen a little but it looks like a knee again. Also starting to notice it less and less. It will pop and creak occasionally but all in all things are good.

Started my swimming lessons last weekend. Went well, need to rotate more on non-breathing stokes and keep high arms. Coach also wants me to kick more but knee starts to hurt after ~ 15-20 min so not going full blast.

PT is going well have 120 degree flextion in knee with excellent strength and the exercise are going awesome. Doc says cycling back in but only spinning, no hills, no mashing, low gear only. No water running for now. Recheck in 8 weeks.

As for run on the ground Doc says not until I drop 70-80 pounds so need to really get focused on body comp. Goal will be to crank up after the 4th and lose 10lbs or more per month. That should get me into the OS ready to rock in Feb or March next year. so will need to look for late season races, which in SoFl should no be a problem.

Hope all have a great 4th.

Peter Greagg

Thanks for the update Dewey.
Good to see you adopting the longer view about getting ready for the OS, while recognising shorter term goals give you sign posts for that journey (10 lbs per month).

Bruce Thompson

Dewey - Thanks for the update.  Glad to hear that you are doing better now and have a long-term plan for future improvement.  You can do it.  Just remember that you've got all the support you need/want from your EN mates.  we're behind you 100%.