A Donation

Anywhere from 18-60 years ago (I really don’t know) a certain person was born.  That person probably had people in his/her life that loved him, cared for him, made sure he was fed and properly taken care of during those first few years of life.  It’s my hope that this person went on to live a life that was fulfilling and was loved by those around him and that he loved back.

When he was born, he had an Anterior Tibialis Tendon.  It started developing well before he was born and continued to develop and grow well into this person’s teenage years.  He used this muscle every day, to walk, hike, bicycle and such.  It was something he needed just to live life.

Sometime over the last several months, he died.

On December 30th I had his Anterior Tibialis Tendon implanted in my left knee to act as an ACL.  I do not know this person or his family and I probably never will, however I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am that he and those around him agreed to give his tissue.  It’s not a heart or a liver or something that I can not live without.  (There are a lot of people out there living without their ACL’s)

But it is something that I’ll never forget.

I’ll never forget that someone gave a part of themselves so that I could run, bike, walk normally, hike, get in and out of a small cockpit and vehicles normally again.

I will never forget!

 

…running through my mind…

 

 

A Second Job

One short month ago today I underwent ACL reconstructive surgery.  The month has been a series of highs and lows, several times the lows were strung together for what seemed to be forever, yet it has only been a month.

My Aunt offered up that recovering from something like this is like having another job.

I have to agree with her.

The first week was just trying to keep the pain under control and get my muscles to wake up from the trauma that they experienced during the surgery and then the confusion they must have felt when they spent several days not being used.   The pain during those first few days were the worst I’ve ever experienced.  I have not had numerous surgeries and I don’t think I’m accident prone, but I have had a deviated septum surgery; the tip of a finger (with the bone) cut off and reattached; and all four wisdom teeth pulled with a local and three of them impacted and then dry socket two days later.  Up until a month ago, the dry socket was the worst.  ACL surgery tops that by a long shot.

The second week, I actually went back to work in the office and proceeded to get a gastro-intestinal bug that stuck with me for 5 days along with my youngest daughter (my boy had it a couple of days earlier).  I spent many, many hours in the recliner with my daughter on the couch watching Disney Channel.  The worst of the Gastro days was my birthday too, and my wifes birthday.  Happy Birthday!!!

The third week I was up and walking without crutches but with a noticeable limp.  I also went to the Simulator to get some recurrent training on the plane that I fly.  Everything went just fine in the Simulator.  I was very exhausted each night, but the leg was starting to feel better.

The fourth week, Physical Therapy really kicked my back side.  The pain seemed to stay with me throughout the day.  At times, the pain was so bad that I could not sit still.  I could feel myself starting down the road of depression.  No matter what I did, the knee and my muscles just wouldn’t feel better, the pain would not leave.  (The pain would leave for a while after my wife massaged the upper and lower muscles in my leg)

Here in my fifth week, I feel like I’ve taken a turn.  A good portion of yesterday was pain free and today has been the same other than an hour or so.  My Physical Therapy today went very well, and I got many more minutes of some cardiovascular work today as well.

I’m beginning to be happy with my progression.  I’m also happy with the other opportunities that this has lighted up in front of me.

I can now get on a machine (elliptical trainer) and not get bored.  I can now see the advantages of stretching.  I can now feel the difference in letting my muscles rest, but not for too long.  I can also feel what it is like to work some other muscles that I have neglected for too long.

I can also feel some hope right now, when just a few days ago I didn’t seem to have any at all.

And it truly has been a second job.

…running through my mind…

Gettin’ my Heart Rate up!

There have been many days since my last post.  A combination of Percocet, non-cardiovascular activities and uninspiring work has caused me to think that I don’t have a lot to share, at least anything anyone would care to listen too.  With that said, I am glad that you are reading this, welcome back.

I did have ACL reconstructive surgery on July 2^nd and my recovery is going very well at this point.  Many days I was very down  in the dumps, yet there were quite a few that I was up, as well.  I can feel the whole thing getting better every day and I have a new found respect for Physical Therapists.  The Therapist I am receiving services from makes me want to change professions and be a Physical Therapist myself.  His knowledge and ability to slightly change “the plan” because of something I can or cannot do well is refreshing.  He makes it look easy, yet I know it is challenging.

The biggest change in my life over the last few months is my inability to run.  I have not run since 3 hours before my injury on June 6^th (Not that I’m counting).    Until this morning I have not done anything that comes close to the feeling I have when I’m running, since that ugly day.  This morning though, I was allowed to get on the elliptical trainer.  I was on it a short 5 minutes, however exhaustion pulsed throughout my body after that short time on the trainer.

This is truly going to be an undertaking – getting me back into the shape I was in on the morning of June 6^th.  I’m up for it though.  I’m getting excited to regain my form and to possibly find a few more ways to get my heart rate up in the process.

Aside from my recovery, I have had a couple of inspiring moments in the last few days that I’ll write about soon – stay tuned, and thank you for reading.

…running through my mind…