Just Call Me the Running Man

Posted on October 30th, 2008 by edforman

The day has finally arrived.  I shuffled into PT at the ungodly hour of 6:55 AM.  Half asleep, I climbed on the eliptical and did my 10 minutes.  By minute 8, I was getting into it and I actually increased the resistence to 2 for the last 2 minutes (shhhh, don’t tell the PT people…).  Did my leg presses, leg curls, heel lifts, box jumps, dot jumping drills and step ups.  Blew off the squats and cross walker - HATE those.  Then the Athletic Trainer who works with my PT said the magic words - “Lets get you up on that treadmill and see what you can do.”  After a minute of brisk walking at 3.5, we went up to 5 and, oh my, yes, I remember this feeling vaguely, yes, I was RUNNING!  Had to really focus on striding heel to toe and keeping the strides even between good and bad leg.  Went 4 intervals of one minute brisk walk/30 seconds running.  The good news is that fitness-wise, it felt great.  The moderately bad news is that my calf did tighten up a tad during one of the intervals, but not too bad at all.  Then Brian (the AT) rewarded me with ultrasound on the calf and a nice 15 minute massage focused almost exclusively on the calf.

The BEST news?  No hint of the tendonosis that plagued me for 3 years before my ATR - hmmmm, could we be past that?  Don’t want to get too optomistic yet…

Didn’t even have to ice it - just need to keep stretching it today.  Gonna head to the gym tomorrow and do some more running.  Brian told me to warm up on the bike or eliptical for 10 minutes, stretch the calf and only then get ont he treadmill and do my intervals.  Should be fun!

For all of you who are behind me in this process, you WILL get there.  Keep working.  Keep blogging. 

Ed

2 Comments »

21 Weeks - Slow and Steady Finishes the Race

Posted on October 17th, 2008 by edforman

Just figured I would pop in for a quick update.  PT continues to go well - I have not been a good boy and am only getting there 1-2x/week instead of 3x/week like I am supposed to.  As a result, I get winded and sore.  It has just been difficult to reconcile a ridiculously busy work schedule with 90 minutes of PT 3x/week.  Things are getting more sane at work so I am hoping to get one good hard push for the rest of PT.

In terms of PT, I am now jumping from a standing position onto a “box” 18″ high (which is miraculous given I don’t think I could get that far off the ground before the ATR…), doing rapid step-ups and “dot drill” jumping, lots of heel lifts, still lef presses (1 and 2 leg) and curls, of course the elliptical, etc.  Working up to running on that treadmill.  Probably 2 weeks away from taking that first run (which will be 2 minutes running, 2 minutes walking, etc.).  The morning limp lasts a shorter amount of time and is less severe.  Although the tightness is constantly there, I don’t “feel” the tendon most of the day.  I have been able to do some projects around the house involving ladders and the like with no ill effects.

In the “when it rains it pours” category, I actually got an ingrown toe nail on the ATR foot.  Thankfully, it was not too severe and that procedure is a BREEZE after going through the ATR repair!

All in all, I am finally starting to feel like I am close to putting this in the rear view mirror.  I am actually looking forward to getting to the batting cages and, am I really saying this, playing softball again in the Spring.  I will be taking it easy, trust me.  I have NEVER been able to play any sport other that all-out (I blame my type A personality) so we will see if I can make that adjustment.

The memories of focusing on the day by day recovery from the early post-surgery days are fading fast.  To all of you who are behind us in this marathon, you WILL get there.  Keep working - all the early PT work has paid off for me big-time.

Ed

2 Comments »

Misty May ATR??

Posted on October 6th, 2008 by edforman

Thought I caught something on Dancing with the Stars that gold medalist Misty May ruptured her AT training for the Dancing show.  Gonna be tough getting back to beach voleyball after an ATR…  Can anyone confirm? 

Dennis, we gotta get her info on this site - get her to sponsor t-shirts!

On the homefront, wish me luck - I start jumping and MAYBE running tomorrow morning in PT!  Can’t wait!!!

Ed

11 Comments »

Met a Fellow ATR Victim at PT - And His NAME is Achilles!

Posted on September 23rd, 2008 by edforman

Yesterday afternoon I was being ultrasounded and noticed another patient with that telltale scar downt he back of his ankle (MUCH smaller than my monster scar, of course).  So I asked the PT, “another ATR?”  He sidles up to me and whispers, “funny thing is that his NAME is Achilles - its quite poetic that he got this injury.”

So this morning in the locker room I met Achilles.  He ruptured his AT in July playing soccer.  I gave him the old “I am 6 weeks ahead of you and its gonna be ok” speech.  Then we go in to the treatment/exercise room.  While I was doing my leg curls I look over at Achilles on the leg press machine and he doing 110 lb ONE LEG leg presses!!??  What the $%^&!!!  I am at a whopping 35 lbs with one leg and he is at 110 six weeks behind me!!??  I was pissed.  Then I realized - he is younger than I am and in much better shape.   Still…

PT gave me some good news - they are almost ready to have me start with low-impact jumping, which leads to running, which leads to DISCHARGE!  The AT is getting looser (and loosening up more quickly and easily in the morning) with each passing week.  I actually broke into a run over the weekend by accident - then I realized, um, I shouldn’t be doing this - but it felt fine, so I am psyched.  The calf is still smaller than the good one and the AT is still stiff and I still get some swelling, but we are definitely making progress.

To all of you behind me, YOU WILL GET THERE (and if you are already there, I don’t want to hear about it :-)) 

I am starting to think maybe I will play softball again next season…

Ed

7 Comments »

(Almost) 4 month update…

Posted on September 17th, 2008 by edforman

Hey gang - haven’t been writing much because, well, while this injury remains front of mind, nothing “dramatic” has been happening.  Here is the update:

PT continues to go well - I am supposed to go 3x/week but, given work schedules, it has been more like 2x/week.  I go at 7 AM a block from my office so I can still get into the office by 8:30 AM.  The program consists of:  10 minutes on the eliptical (no resistance yet); 5 minutes backwards on the treadmill on an incline; calf/tendon stretches on an incline board; leg presses, including releasing with only one leg; leg curls; step-ups; heel raises; blanacing on a wobble board and one-legged balancing on a foam thingie; ball squats (HATE those); cross-band walking; ultrasound; massage and manipulation; and finally, ice and electric stimulation.  Each session takes almost 90 minutes and, while I am sore after each session, it feels great.  The range of motion is definitely good and the swelling is down.  The tendon is still very tight, but loosens up much more quickly and easily when I stretch it.

I have started back at the gym where I use the elliptical and treadmill on PT “off” days and some upper body work.  Sadly, my arms, chest and shoulders have suffered from being away from the gym for so long, but so be it.  The goal is to be able to do the vast majority of my PT exercises in the gyma nd only go to PT 1x/week or less - I am probably a month or two away from that.

While I still wear my New Balance walkers and white athletic ankle socks to work, I have real shoes and socks in the office for meetings, and can wear them.  I walked 1/2 mile to a meeting today in real shoes, and still have them on now!   They are feeling pretty good, actually.

The biggest remaining issue I have are these annoying blisters I am getting on the sides and bottom of my ATR foot.  Not sure if its wearing a shoe made of man-made material causing my foot not to “breathe” or the swelling - it definitely gets worse when I am more active.  The blisters pop and leave sores that are uncomfortable.  They also itch like crazy.  Maybe its something dermatological - who knows.  Anyone else have this??

The calf muscle is getting better, but still not back to where it needs to be.  I can do steps pretty well - if I am barefoot, I sometimes have to limp down steps.  Walking with a slight limp which I can eliminate if I concentrate.

Still undecided if I am going back to softball.  Right now, my focus is to get to where I can do a cardio exercise for 20-30 minutes running.  Treadmill would be best, but I’ll take the eliptical.

Scar is ugly as ever and still bumpy at the bottom where I had the incision issues.  Staying closed though.

Loving the friends I have made on this site (that’s you kkdub)!!  Great people who help keep me driving towards what we need to do to recover.

4 months down, a lifetime to go. 

Ed

3 Comments »

Survived Europe

Posted on September 3rd, 2008 by edforman

Happy September all - what a miserable summer - GOOD RIDDANCE I say, bring on autumn!

I survived Paris and London last week frankly better than I expected.  The plane was ok - helped to be in business class and have more room and a footrest.  I basically kept the shoe and sock off all flight and let the swelling happen.  It did come back down pretty quickly after we landed, so all in all, flight was fine.  The only “mishap” I had was tripping over the threshhold of a door into a cafe in Paris - why in the world do they have a metal bar running along the ground??!!  I tweaked the bad ankle a little, but no stress on the tendon.  That made it a little tougher to walk, but I managed ok.  I did a TON of walking in both Paris and London and, other than being sore and a bit swollen at night, I was really fine.  I managed to do a fair amount of stretching exercises, but not too much strengthening.  I was nervous getting back to PT yesterday, but remarkably, the PT told me that the foot was stretched out so much more than the last time he saw me - I guess all that walking paid off!  Of course, I am sore as all get-up from the weights, etc. 

Right now, my biggest issue is that when my foot swells, I get blisters all over the sides of my feet that pop and get very uncomfortable.  Anyone else having this problem?

Incision is staying closed - still raised and bumpy in that one spot, but I think I am over that hump…

DId my first heel raises yesterday!  Up on both feet and slowly down on just the bad one - more like trying to stop a freefall, but it felt good to try at least.  The calf is slowly coming back - emphasis on slowly…

I am finally at the point where there are times I forget about my injury - not too many times, but some.  A light at the end of the tunnel?

I am off to see the Williams sisters at the US Open tonight - taking the subway for the first time since the ATR and will be walking a lot - I am actually looking forward to it!!

Welcome to all our new fellow sufferers - it does get better - it just takes time and hard work…

Ed

1 Comment »

The Beach/Off to Europe

Posted on August 24th, 2008 by edforman

Spent 4 days on the Jersey shore last week.  Day 1, my kids are up at the crack of dawn ready to head down to the beach!  The BEACH?  Sand?  Barefoot?  Can I do this??  After sunscreening the heck out of my scar (that is important for AT LEAST A FULL YEAR folks!!), I slowly ventured out onto the sand - it was tough going as my heel was sinking in to the sand resulting in the tendon doing more stretching to walk.  But wow did it stretch me out!  I stillhad one small scab over the spot I had been oozing and figured it was not a good idea to go into the ocean.  Then I threw caution to the wind and just waded in.  Sure enough, the ocean softened up the scab and it fell off later that night!!  I am now officially scabless, though there are still some rough spots on the scar that need to settle down.

Long story short, 4 days on the beach and boardwalk walking multiple miles a day hurt like hell, but I am more stretched out than ever.  I can actually walk in the morning now without limping too much.

One funny story - there was a “skybike” ride at the Amusement Park on the Boardwalk.  So, I grab my 7 yr old and we head on.  Turns out you have to pedal so that your car moves along this track that is about 30 feet above the ground.  My 7 yr old can’t reach the pedals so its up to me.  There were times I didnt think I would make it.  The tendon was tight and the pedaling was rough.  All I kept thinking was, no different than PT - just work through it.  I came off the ride drenched in sweat and hurting.  I can laugh at ti in retrospect, but it was HARD!!!  Other than that and getting jostled around on the roller coasters, I survived just fine.  Good to see that an ATR doesn’t impact skeeball skills - had my best score ever - a 380.

So here I sit in the airport waiting to take off for Paris - then London.  I am confident that I will be able to walk when I need to - though I will be sore at night.  I am hoping I dont swell up too much on the flight. 

I am nervous about going 2+ weeks without PT, but I have a home exercise program (that I have been less than diligent with so far) and truthfully, I have been very active so I hope I wont have lost too much ground.

Wish me luck!

Ed

3 Comments »

Played 18 Holes Today!

Posted on August 13th, 2008 by edforman

OK, so it was just miniature golf with the wife and kids, but IT COUNTS!  Shot a 47 - not my usual but all my putts were pulling right because of the tight tendon.  OK OK, the only issue I had was having trouble bending down to pick my ball up out of the cup!

12 weeks post surgery tomorrow.  Wow!  Closing in on the 3 month mark.  25% of the way through the marathon. 

Question for all of you - as I have been walking more, the lower part of the tendon (near where it anchors to the heel) has been hurting.  It dawned on me today that this is the spot I had tendonosis for 3 years prior to the ATR.  I am starting to suspect that it is nothing more or less than the tendonosis acting up again, but I can’t be sure.  My surgeon warned me that the ATR repair would not fix the tendonosis and that the pain migth return.  Anyone else with tendonosis/tendonitis prior to the ATR experience anything like this??

Incision is still frustrating me.  That one spot is not healed - although it has stayed essentially closed for a few days now so there is hope.  PT tends to soften it and since I am taking 2 weeks off of PT after tomorrow (vacation then a business trip to Europe), I am hoping that my incision woes will be over.

PT is great - in addition to the weights, the stretching is definitely helping.  I am going to miss it while I am away.

OK, time to ice it down…

Ed

1 Comment »

Incision Woes Again??

Posted on August 7th, 2008 by edforman

Had a particularly aggressive PT session yesterday (she hurt me - dug into that knot around my tendon and it HURT!).  Not sure there is a cause and effect at play, but this morning I noticed a small dark bluish line under the healing skin in the area of my incision that had been giving me problems.  Mind you, the incision has gotten MUCH better and has been improving daily.  When I looked more closely, I started to think it might be a stitch working its way up to skin level to get “spat out” by my body - could my surgeon’s suspicions have been right?  On even a gently touch, a tiny bit of red tinged stuff came out - I mean a tiny bit.  I am sure it will be fine, but I am wondering if that is in fact a stitch - I guess only time will tell.  When I go back to PT today, I need to tell them to STEER CLEAR of that troubled spot.

Back to my PT session for the moment - I spent over 1 1/2 hours there - leg lifts with 2 lb weights, leg presses, leg curls, ball squats, of ocurse the bike and treadmill.  It was a lot.  For the first time I started feeling a bit fatigued by the PT process.  Sigh.  I hope I can stick with it. 

I had meetings all day yesterday (after PT) and I decided to go for the dress shoes and socks.  Midway through the day I took a look at the leg and my sock had created a huge ridge in my calf - I guess it was acting as a compression sock and the area above my sock took on all the swelling - it was pretty funny.  Wonder if that had anything to do with the incision issue - hmmmm.

I was very sore all day yesterday - I had to do a fair amount of walking and had a full day (left my house for PT at 6 AM and didn’t get home until after 9:30 PM). 

I guess I am experiencing the first of those plateaus everyone talks about.  Man that sucks!

Ed

4 Comments »

Upping the Ante at PT

Posted on August 4th, 2008 by edforman

I walked into PT this morning for my 7 AM appt. offering a present to my PT - a prescription allowing them to do with me as they wish - no restrictions.  They were so excited.  So, after the bike and backwards treadmill, it was on to leg presses, leg lifts, balancing boards and all sorts of fun strengthening exercises.  Who would have ever thought an 85 lb. leg press would be an accomplishment!  For the first time, I really worked up a pretty good sweat and felt lik eI had worked out.  Topped it off with some ultrasound, soft tissue massage and electric stimulation/ice and I was ready to face the work week.  These sessions are between 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 hours - a lot of time - and I am so greatful I found a place a block from my office that has 7-7 hours (I plan to go 2x/week at 7 AM and 1x/week at 6 PM). 

Spent yesterday visiting my daughter at her sleepaway camp - lots of uneven terrain and hills - I managed just fine, though my good calf was really sore at the end of the day - guess I was compensating.  At one point, it started raining - I was a good 1/4 mile from her bunkhouse and started walking briskly to get there.  It started raining harder, I jogged a few strides - then thought better of it and walked.  though my foot was not gliding through the stride the way it is supposed to, I did actually jog a few strides!  Something to look forward to.

There was a bear at the camp picking at the garbage.  All I kept thinking is, don’t get too close, Ed, you aint outrunning a black bear just yet!!

Ed

1 Comment »

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  • Achillesblog - Updated Posts

  • Recent Comments

  • drkpllrd | November 4th, 2008 | 3:43 pm

    Ed:

    Congrats on your progress!!!

    Overcompensation for the ATR is definitely an issue; my left hip hurts as a result of it. Another issue could be the shoes with which you walk/run. Are you running with new shoes? Did you go to a bonafide running shoe store? Did they evaluate you gait for over or under pronation?

    One of the reasons I believe I ruptured my AT was because I developed tendonitis from excessive hill running, using the same pair of shoes too long, and using the wrong type of shoes for my gait. After suffering with tendonitis for about four years, the AT could take no more and it snapped (I believe).

    Once I started running about two months ago, I noticed the same pains in heel areas of both legs/feet. I immediately went to Phadippides (here in Atlanta), a local athletic shoe store specializing in running shoes. They observed my gait and immediately told me the running shoes I was using were the absolute wrong shoes for my gait. My method for buying running shoes used to be to purchase the most expensive neutral shoes I could find. How could I go wrong? I WAS WRONG! The manager of the store recomm

    [...]
  • Doc Ross | October 30th, 2008 | 7:33 am

    Ed….
    Way to go running man. Also don’t forget to stretch before AND after running. Slow and steady with the running. Try going backwards, side to side, crossovers, and obviously forward on the treadmill. The more stress you put on the tendon in different ways the stronger it will be. Congrats on the milestone but also realize this is when the progress really slows down.

    Doc Ross

  • walshie | October 20th, 2008 | 10:51 am

    Attaboy Ed! I remember reading your blog early on and you said you were debating about ever playing softball again…Im glad you are not going to give it up. I’m not either…but it will be quite a mental test running the bases for the 1st time.

  • pipemaster | October 17th, 2008 | 11:51 am

    I am at the same week Ed.

    My evolution is quite similar to yours. We almost made it!!! Good luck with softball and take it easy.

  • hafjell | October 8th, 2008 | 7:13 pm

    So i’m not old!!!
    So this “weekend warrior” stuff might have nothing to do with the scar on the back of my leg!?!?!
    I know it’s very wrong and I feel terrible…but I enjoyed this one.

  • dennis | October 7th, 2008 | 10:49 pm

    hobblit - The recovery protocol for Elton Brand was pretty standard actually. I think the info is on the site somewhere, you can probably find it via the search on the main page.

  • hobblit | October 7th, 2008 | 10:47 pm

    It would be interesting to hear about the surgery and recovery protocol for a top athlete vs a regular person.

  • dazf | October 7th, 2008 | 1:16 pm

    It made me feel sick again listening to that loud pop. It was just how iIremember mine going. I am still not sure if it was a loud audible pop or whether it was just in my head.

    I looked round to see who had kicked me as well.

  • damacar | October 7th, 2008 | 8:58 am

    She has a website. There is an area to post a question. I typed in well wishes and a link to this site. I also found this…

    Mail to MistyPlease send all fan mail to:

    Misty May-Treanor
    2829 N. Bellflower Blvd., Suite #482
    Long Beach, CA 90815

    http://www.mistymay.com/may/index/

  • bernardhg | October 7th, 2008 | 6:43 am

    Very interesting

  • annieh | October 7th, 2008 | 6:21 am

    What a noise!!! I have just watched it on You Tube, I don’t know the lady but I wish her well.

    Hope this link is OK

    http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Em9kwsCeTNo

    Annie

  • tennisjunkie | October 7th, 2008 | 5:28 am

    Amazing…..she plays world class olympic volleyball barefoot in the sand, then ruptures the AT on a reality dance show! I wonder if she is regretting her decision to do DWTS.

    If anyone finds the video with the pop please post the site. I am still trying to recall my own injury. I thought someone hit me, but I did not hear anything….but I think I was distracted by wondering why someone had hit me. I can’t believe I want to hear one pop - I suppose that is king of ghoulish. But I think you guys understand.

    Well, we all are pulling for her total recovery. We know she can!!

  • Marcus | October 7th, 2008 | 4:55 am

    The cool, well, unusual thing about it is that the actual moment is on tape — you can hear the pop.

    So much has been written about us “weekend warriors” suffering ATRs because we’re trying to “do too much.” Well now i know the truth: if it can happen to her, it can happen to an Olympic athlete in top condition like myself. Lol.

  • kkdub | October 6th, 2008 | 9:55 pm
  • Marianne | October 6th, 2008 | 8:43 pm

    Ed,

    I also read about Misty May Traynor having an “injury” to her Achilles Tendon…..they didn’t say “rupture”…I’m also curious to know what kind of injury she sustained. Those ankles must be under quite a bit of stress with all that playing volleyball in sand….and maybe the switch to heels, which I’m pretty sure she doesn’t “sport” very often did the ankle in.

    Good luck with your running and jumping at PT tomorrow. I got to do squats on the weight machine today….woohoo– still can’t get the hang of the stair stepper.

    Marianne

  • edforman | September 25th, 2008 | 3:34 pm

    I am in Bergen county (up north). Starting pt is one of those wonderful milestones - you will be back to normal before you know it…

    Ed

  • molin | September 25th, 2008 | 2:01 pm

    Ed, you are in Jersey? Me, too (central NJ). What part are you in?
    Keep up the great progress! I have my first PT session this Tuesday. Still NWB for another 2 weeks, but now that I have the boot it is nice to wash off the leg!

    Mike

  • verse402 | September 24th, 2008 | 8:34 pm

    Good job, I am waiting to get where you are. Keep up the progress

  • stevew | September 23rd, 2008 | 11:36 am

    Ed-

    Is this guy Achilles a professional athlete? Achilles sounds he was named to be a pro at some kind of sport.

    You let me know when you start playing softball, because I’ve gotta know how the ankle feels when you do.

    First base is a good place to play. Hit the batting cages so you can drive the ball farther to avoid having to run so fast around the bases.

    Good job with the recovery.

    Steve

  • marianne | September 23rd, 2008 | 11:13 am

    Very funny, probably not to “Achilles” :( Your self-talk about being younger and in better shape is so true. I try not to compare myself to others who are doing a lot more than I am, but it’s tough.
    Keep up your great work!
    Marianne

  • shelley | September 23rd, 2008 | 7:23 am

    Poor guy named Achilles. He didn’t have a chance. ha ha.
    Sounds like you’re doing well… Keep it up!

  • Sanfrantourguide | September 18th, 2008 | 6:45 pm

    I am in 12th week, walking two-shoes FWB since my 8th week, and I too have small bumps on my ATR heel and sides of the heel. I’m not sure I would call them blisters, and they have not popped, but by the end of a day, it is not the tendon but the heel which is hurting, quite sensitive on the bottom and “bumpy” all around it. I hope it is just the nerve system there recovering through daily walking.

    Meanwhile, limping along…. Those blisters sound nasty! and itchy? Not what I see on my heel, but who knows - you are probably giving yourself more of a workout.

    Mary

  • edforman | September 17th, 2008 | 2:36 pm

    Doc - thanks for the note - wearing new shoes - these are not “rubbing” blisters - they seem more connected to the swelling and sweating…

    We’ll see how things are as the swelling continues to reduce.

    Ed

  • Doc Ross | September 17th, 2008 | 12:30 pm

    Ed,

    Glad to hear things are moving forward. The blisters can be a result of you walking differently as compared to pre ATR. You should callous up with time. Are you wearing old shoes?? Probably a good idea to get some new ones.
    Keep up the good work

    Doc Ross

  • Richard | September 7th, 2008 | 7:12 pm

    Hello Ed,
    In an effort to educate myself through this challenge we’re all facing I’m presently watching a baseball match on British TV (PHI v NYM). Is it only a strike wnen the batsman actually has a swing at the ball? and what’s the penalty for the batsmen if they don’t swing at a legal ball? How many balls do they get?Not much seems to be happening except lots of chewing and spitting!!!!

    Richard

  • shelley | August 25th, 2008 | 9:16 am

    Good luck with the trip. This gives me hope. I am only on day 3 post-op, but I am scheduled for a flight to Florida at 14 weeks (a trip I’m totally looking forward to).
    I am worried I may have to cancel, but you are giving me hope that I”ll be able to handle it after all. Looking forward to hearing about how your flight went, etc…
    Have a good time.

  • matts | August 24th, 2008 | 7:20 pm

    Good Luck, ED

  • paigefifi1 | August 24th, 2008 | 3:29 pm

    good luck! you will do just fine without PT if you make sure you walk in London and Paris everyday. I find that it helps to walk a lot-like you said-in the mornings it doesn’t hurt too much. You’ll be fine-try not to think too much about the AT, just make sure you are on even and smooth surfaces and have a GREAT time!

  • tennisjunkie | August 14th, 2008 | 6:46 pm

    Hee hee - you got me! 18 holes….

    I am going nuts about when to play golf, so I opened your post with great interest. Still, you ripped up the course with a 47.

    Sounds like a PT break will be good for your foot. Hope you get some permanent incision closure- PT will still be there when you return. Happy travels.

  • kkdub | August 10th, 2008 | 3:41 pm

    walking backwards on an incline? Bragger! Congrats. WOW. I can’t wait for that day. Hoping for the PT scrip this week.

    kk

  • Ed Forman | August 10th, 2008 | 8:41 am

    I am walking backwards on the treadmill ona slight incline (harder than it sounds!

    Ed

  • zurichfan | August 9th, 2008 | 11:57 pm

    The PT is great but your are right, it can get a bit tedious — especially if you have a very full day. I had two PT appts that they could not schedule back-to-back the other day so I was going back and forth to meetings in between my PT. It was a lot!

    What are you doing on the treadmill? Walkng backwards? Running? Just walking?

  • damacar | August 8th, 2008 | 8:56 am

    Hi Ed,
    Sadly I’ve had a plateau week. Last week, I ellipticalled, I biked…..this week, it hurt so I just tried walking. 2 steps forward, 1 step back. I did find your PT schedule interesting, think i’ll have to try all that in the gym….on Monday.

  • damacar | August 4th, 2008 | 9:38 am

    Congrats Ed. Really happy for you!
    I have my (possibly) last post surgical appt today. You helped me think of some good questions. Jogging….what was that again? LOL

  • zurichfan | July 31st, 2008 | 11:48 pm

    Yes, that is progress! Good stuff!

    What’s next in PT for you? I have started on balancing and more exercises to REALLY stretch the tendon. It is feeling better each day. Monday wil be 10 weeks post-op for me. Now, if I could only get rid of this LIMP! :(

  • edforman | July 31st, 2008 | 5:31 pm

    Thanks KK - 10 weeks post-surgery tomorrow. Still can’t have PT massage that part of the scar, but everything else is fair game!!

    Ed

  • kkdub | July 31st, 2008 | 3:06 pm

    congrats Ed! I forget how many weeks are you post op?

    Glad the wound wasn’t more serious. Get going on PT!

    KKdub

  • annieh | July 31st, 2008 | 2:31 pm

    Well done, that is good news.

    Annie

  • edforman | July 31st, 2008 | 11:32 am

    Marcus - forgot you were also an ABC guy. Glad to hear Bill is doing well. We gotta get him a t-shirt…

    Ed

  • marcus | July 31st, 2008 | 9:46 am

    I just spoke to my colleague Bill. He’s in good spirits after surgery. And yes, he had already heard of this blog. I told him to definitely check it out.

    After two ATRs in a month, I think softball is going to be banned at WABC-TV.

  • sanfrantourguide | July 30th, 2008 | 10:16 pm

    I went today to the summer company party, hadn’t seen most of them in almost 7 weeks. Feels great to be part of something after so much time alone at home, and all of them demanding when I will come back - not likely soon; I have a driving/guiding job.

    But then, one fellow started telling me all about his pain in the tendon above his heel. He’s an older man, does light aerobics 5X/week. I was alarmed and warned him, don’t stress it anymore, get it taken care of or you’ll have a rupture. Perhaps the doctors would not even operate because of his age; he’d be stuck in a cast for a long time.

    People don’t make a connection between tendon pain and ruptures; they try to just live with it. Now I know that pain means inflammation, therefore weakening of the tendon through scarring.

    No one in our culture wants to take it easy.

    Me, I like books, films and blogs, but not so much staying at home! A bore!

    Mary

  • paigefifi1 | July 28th, 2008 | 4:23 pm

    you are certainly inching back to normalcy!!!!!!! keep it up!

  • johnk | July 28th, 2008 | 7:03 am

    Ed,

    Glad you enjoyed your day at Shea.

    I went to watch my favourite football team testerday and had a similarly enjoyable day and even managed to catch the ball as it flew into the crowd from the pitch.
    Main differencve in my day out to yours would have been the crowd size, East Stirlingshire v Ayr United is not the biggest crowd puller in Scottish football with an attendance of 761 !
    The result you had was the same as me, a defeat for my beloved Ayr United :(

    Johnk :(

  • paigefifi1 | July 25th, 2008 | 2:55 pm

    good for you ed! thats progress! sorry about your groin muscle. how is your son?

  • sheila | July 24th, 2008 | 12:24 pm

    You are a couple of weeks ahead of me, Ed. I had one little spot that would still ooze, but I noticed yesterday that the bandaid stayed clean and continues to look and feel better today. it just happens one day - like someone else mentioned on another page somewhere - it’s like hair growing. It happens very slowly, but one day you wake up and realize you need a haircut. :)

    Hang in there. otherwise, you seem to be coming along very well.

  • edforman | July 24th, 2008 | 9:35 am

    Don’t get me wrong - when I wear the sock I end up with a “ridge” at the sockline showing that the swelling is still alive and well, but it is not impacting the incision and it is tolerable…

  • paigefifi1 | July 24th, 2008 | 9:27 am

    sorry to hear about your son. am glad it was just that, not another ATR in the family!!!!!!!!!!

    your incision will close. just treat it with kid gloves for now-maybe that is what it needs.

    i am jealous you can wear low cut socks-i tried to wear tennis socks -the ones that usually come with a cotton ball at the back-mine didnt-anyway-my ankle swelled badly so i guess socks is not something for me in the immediate future. oh well.

  • zurichfan | July 24th, 2008 | 1:19 am

    Whew, a relief no surgery! This injury is something else isn’t it? If we could stand on our toes — we could certainly argue that this injury keeps us on our toes :)Everyday there is a new adventure!

    Thinking good thoughts — keep us posted in the coming days!

  • paigefifi1 | July 23rd, 2008 | 8:30 pm

    YAY Ed!!!!!!!!!! no surgery is awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! glad to be of help :D now we look forward to hearing about your party when your last scab falls off! :D (or to your little dance, but don’t RERUPTURE!!)

  • edforman | July 23rd, 2008 | 12:50 pm

    They didn’t do anything at this point. He didn’t see any stitches sticking up that he could dig up and it seems to be closed for now, so he is leaving it alone. If it stays closed and the redness continues to subside, its just a waiting game…

    Ed

  • screwdriver | July 23rd, 2008 | 12:40 pm

    ed,

    do they have to do any woundcare stuff?

  • Sheila | July 23rd, 2008 | 12:05 pm

    Good to hear, Ed! Glad you are feeling better, too.

  • edforman | July 23rd, 2008 | 11:40 am

    Marcue - that’s exactly what started happening to me - the bulge may be a stitch pushing out - no biggie if it is closed. If there is one spot on the incision that is really getting rubbed by the boot, see if you can fashion a “donut” that takes the pressure of that spot (or even stuff that spot in the boot with cotton or a rolled up ace bandage) so it doesn’t rub.

    Bottom line, the sooner you ditch the boot, the sooner the incision will finish healing…

    Ed

  • rich | July 23rd, 2008 | 11:21 am

    Ed,

    Good to hear your are avoiding the knife . . . That’s always a good thing. Keeping the area clean and dry should also give things a better chance to heal up. Unfortunately that’s not easy to do in a professional setting at work . . . but it sounds like your addressing that!

    Take care and keep posting on your progress.

  • Marcus | July 23rd, 2008 | 10:59 am

    Ed:

    That’s good news about your reprieve.

    It’s interesting because ever since I went into the boot I’ve noticed a lot of redness on part of my incision. There’s also a “bulge” on one end I’m getting a little concerned about. I’m going to see my doc on Fri so he can take a look.

    Hope everything continues to go well for you.

  • edforman | July 23rd, 2008 | 8:51 am

    Thanks Sheila - cautiously optomistic that this setback is behind me. Going to buy those ankle socks today to see if they work better for me. Already told a law firm I am meeting with tomorrow that I am showing up in sneakers. I am sick of apologizing….

    Ed

  • Sheila | July 23rd, 2008 | 8:34 am

    Keep us posted Ed. Came back to check on the update thinking you went in yesterday. Sending good vibes your way!!!

  • screwdriver | July 22nd, 2008 | 1:52 pm

    incision and debridement . I & D

  • kkdub | July 21st, 2008 | 7:28 pm

    Ed - I’m sorry to hear about your appt today and what may even happen on Wed. I’ve been following your posts…..I’ll think good thoughts on Wed. Good to push him, but in the end, if there is “gunk” in there, it will be good to get it out… kk

  • jennstoc0613 | July 21st, 2008 | 6:45 pm

    Hello - I go to my doctor on Thursday for 6 week post-op and the most important thing that I want to talk to him about is the fact that I think the boot is preventing my incision from healing correctly. I am in Pennsylvania (US) and it has been very hot and humid the last few days, and with the boot on, I know that it is a warm bed for bacteria to grow. My incision is a little red and irriated, so anytime I can, I take the boot off. I feel like it is also causing discomfort in other areas of my foot. I’m ready for real shoes!