george

I’ve skimmed enough of others’ blogs to know I face a long road to recovery. Might as well blog occasionally about it.

I’ll probably stick to the milestones and any setbacks … but we’ll see.

First, the vitals:

I’m 40, active and fit. Ran my seventh marathon in early May, took the necessary time off to recover and resumed running, though I hadn’t gotten all the way back to  my normal intensity.

On Sunday, May 31, 2009, I was playing basketball in the street with some neighbors when I changed directions, pushed off hard with my left foot and — POP! — the Achilles tendon was torn.

It didn’t hurt, but I definitely heard the thing go. And I knew what had happened; any doubt was removed a moment later when I examined the leg and noted the soft, squishy nothingness where a tight tendon had been.

Six days later, on Friday, June 5, 2009, I underwent surgery. The surgeon had hoped to do a minimally invasive repair using the Achillon system, but upon examination in the moments before the procedure determined he’d need to do the traditional open repair.

I woke up later to find my foot numb and immobilized in a cast.

Spent the next week lying on the couch, resting and elevating, with very little activity at all.

Went stir crazy.

I’m eight days out from surgery now, feeling better and trying to stay patient. I know, I know — be patient! I will, but it’s not easy.

My first post-op appointment is Wednesday, June 17. I assume they’ll remove the cast to check the wound. I don’t know if I’ll be recasted or half-casted or splinted or given a boot.

I’m hoping for aggressive rehab protocol, but I trust the surgeon. He is the team orthopedist for a major NCAA Division I athletic department and has performed procedures on elite-level Olympic athletes.

Anyway, I’m lying on the couch, typing away — and wishing I could go for a run. Knowing I won’t, not for a long while.

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