One Year Ago TODAY….
I was in the middle of a spectacular week of snowboarding in BC, and it all came to a sudden end when I took a tumble and experienced “the event that changed my life” - or so I thought. After a couple trips through the surgical suite, and my left foot in a cast for 5 weeks, and two months of physical therapy 2 to 3 times a week, and learning how to walk without a limp, and a LOT of walking and moving around, I’m very happy to be where I am today! My calf muscle is still a bit smaller than the right and I’m still slowly working on the toe raises, but life really is good “post rupture”! Bicycling is still an important part of my activities, and I’ve transformed my recovery work-outs into a weekly routine of 2 to 3 times a week visits to the “Y”. I’m especially looking forward to our trip to Vancouver and Whistler this coming 2nd week of March - I may be forecasting a bit, but I want to get a picture of myself on the board on the snow and send it to my Orthopaedic surgeon!
This group helped my out SOOOO much while I was stuck at home last February and March, and I’m so grateful for so many who share their experiences in order to help us in our recovery (sounds like a “12-step meeting” - but they work the same way too!).
Everyone - hang in there. It does get better! (That sounds like a 12-step meeting too).
I’ll be back!
Hi Jon - first I apologize for the lengthy delay in replying. I’ve started getting a HUGE amount of spam and when I finally logged in to delete it, I found your message.
I trust your recovery is coming along well.
I continued taking Lipitor throughout my recovery, and have detected no “ill-will” or adverse effects from it. The tendon has healed up exceedingly well - in fact I returned to the mountain back in March for a week on the snowboard again (fell off that horse, and got back ON!) Had a fantastic week in Whistler Blackcombe. I’ve returned to cycling - in fact 2 weeks ago I participated in my 14th Bicycle Ride Across Iowa (320 miles over 5 deays for me) and NO problems with the achilles at all.
My surgeon was Dr. Mark McFarland with the Orthopedic and SPine Center in Newport News Virginia. Surgeries were performed at Mary Immaculate hospital in Newport News too. He did not use any stitches in either of the procedures - they use a type of “super-glue” to close the incisions and the exterior glue wears off gradually over time. After the 2nd surgery, I was in a cast for 5 weeks so when it came off,the adhesive was already starting to come off.
His protocol was a bit conservative (compared to the Canadian study that Norm very agressively touts). Even so, I still felt quite comfortable with his approach.
Please let me know how your recovery has come along - wishing you the best.
Jack
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Comment by jackinva — August 3, 2014 @ 11:47 pm