Jan

23

20 Week Check-in: Finally walking normal and teaching golf…started jogging a bit.

January 23, 2014 | |

Thanks to Dennis, Norm and this community, things are going extremely well, but there was a setback (c’est la vie).

It’s been a while since I updated my status, but I have been checking in daily and reading posts and comments.

MY TEMP SET BACK

I had a slight setback a month ago because my incision point would not heal, so I had to stop my PT sessions (because my DPT was still pushing me hard, and that was not helping the incision point heal).

For those of you who do not know my story, my rupture was severe (gap was 9), and my scar is over 6 inches long (with DVTs, but I only lost 2 cm on my bad calf). However, as it turns out, it was just getting too wet and I was not treated correctly. Infuriated, after seeing the womb doc, I got all of their email addresses and got them all on the same page (thankfully it never got infected). With that said, don’t be afraid to speak up. I also fired my first 2 PT’s because one was too slow and the other was unenthusiastic and seemed indifferent (BMIM :-). BTW, UIC has 22 PT’s \ DPT’s - even the technicians for ultrasound, etc. are PT’s. With that said, my incision point has finally healed!

With that said, I am now back on the right track, will be off of warfarin by the end of the month, and started teaching golf again last week. I have until May to get ready for tennis classes, but I have started jogging, so I see no problem there (half of my students are 3.0+, so I have to be able to play at a 4.0 + level - minimum).

PHYSICAL THERAPY NOTES
I am working on a video of all my PT workouts, so if you want it, let me know. I will put the link up on Youtube in a week or two (need to do some editing first). It covers everything from Rom to gait, to running (and everything in-between). From week 4 and on, I also created some effectively fun exercises that my PT loved and adopted. I am also trying to get my PT to add some tips, fyi’s and do’s and don’ts. He said he would, but we’ll see. I am meeting him again next week. In the meantime, here is here is a link to my protocol with video PT examples from Youtube, and more.

STILL ON TRACK (I am finally getting my push off back!!!)

DOWN TIME WELL SPENT
On a good note, over the past 6 months, I have FINALLY had time to read the new Bernie Rhodenbarr Book by Lawrence Block, re-write two books that I initially wrote 15 years ago, dust off the bass guitar and re-write\updated a few songs from a decade ago, and am just finishing up a water color and an oil painting (something else I haven’t done in 15-20 years). Lastly, I learned a dozen or so card tricks, and with the time off, I am also in the process of redesigning my website, creating a few “playing lesson” apps for my members and much more. LINK TO SOME SAMPLES: http://www.playgolfandtennis.com/PC/index.html (I am not good at all, but I like hobbies)

On a side note, I just realized how easy my life has been up until I ruptured my Achilles. :-) I also seem to feel a remote connection to anyone who is on crutches, limping or, who is going through rehab, of any kind. I am also going to miss being treated so well when in pubic on crutches. LOL.



I hope everyone is doing well, and happy healing.
Ron
Patiently moving forward
IT NEVER GETS EASIER, YOU JUST GET BETTER - SO KEEP PUSHING - THIS IS WAR!

Will update again in the spring, where I hope to be back teaching tennis, running and jumping, again. However, at 52, no more basketball though, as much as I am going to miss shutting down, and dunking on twenty-somethings. I spent my 52nd Birthday in a Vacocast boot and crutches because of my ego - no fun. Worst BD ever. LOL. BTW, I am totally fed up with wind chill below zero and snow - enough already!

HERE IS A PIC OF MY BOY (A 3 YO golden-Akida) with a GREAT disposition. Finally started walking him again, which is therapy when he acts right. LOL.


Comments

14 Comments so far

  1. janis on January 23, 2014 1:19 am

    Great update! I love reading happy updates, especially this early on in the process.

  2. Ron on January 23, 2014 1:50 am

    Hi Janis,

    Thanks. Good luck with your recovery.

    Ron

  3. normofthenorth on January 23, 2014 2:04 am

    Amazing journey, Ron! Your remarkable multi-talents remind me of the title of a Canadian comedy show, “Madly Off in All Directions”!! :-)

  4. Ron on January 23, 2014 9:27 am

    Hi Norm,

    Yes, I remember Lorne Elliott. I lived in Vancouver BC and Toronto over a decade ago while working for a company called Creative Labs. My uncle still lives in Vancouver and loved Lorne Elliott and the other comedians that appeared on that radio show.

    Here is a clip that I found and like a lot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaBeHIHGSLI
    I guess because it starts with winter…LOL.

    I also remember you saying the best day is when you forget about your foot\injury - even for a minute (paraphrased of course). The funny thing about that is when it does happen and others notice and comment, it starts hurting again. LOL.

    Thanks again, and I credit you with a lot of my quick recovery because Ortho’s leaves too many blanks, but thankfully, you (and a few others) have filled a lot of those blanks in for me.

    Have a great day
    Ron
    Patiently Moving Forward

  5. normofthenorth on January 23, 2014 1:25 pm

    Thank, Ron, you made my day! I think I recall annoying you some when you first dropped in, too, so this is even more welcome. :-)

  6. anne on January 23, 2014 2:22 pm

    Great Post Ron! Thanks for your comments about your experience with the PTs. I felt I was over a barrel because the studio I went to are the only ones who have an AlterG in my city. So we butted heads and I put up with them.

    Recently I went to an NMT, neuromuscular massage therapist, and it was perfect and more therapeutic than my PT sessions.

    So glad to hear of your progress. Keep us posting on your continued achievements. xx

  7. Ron on January 23, 2014 6:22 pm

    You are welcome Norm.

    Not at all, everything you have told me has been more then helpful, and I love the detailed thought you put into each response.

    This would have seriously been an uphill battle without your knowledge. From Protocol assessments to Gait understanding and more. From day one, you are in EVERYONE’S corner. :-)

    Your advice is actually worth money (IMHO).

    Thanks again for keeping this blog, and most of us moving in the right direction.
    Ron

  8. Ron on January 23, 2014 6:25 pm

    Hi Anne,

    Thank you. I agree about other types of sessions - especially in the beginning to relive some pain. I actually cut off my Ortho and got a second opinion when he did not refer me to Ultra Sound and others treatments BEFORE PT. That caused my incision point to linger, but thankfully, it never got infected.

    You have to take a stand and figure things out by yourself with this injury, unfortunately. Thank god we have Dennis, this Blog, Norm and others to fill in some of the gaps.

    Thanks again, good luck and keep us posted.
    Ron

  9. kellygirl on January 24, 2014 6:50 pm

    Great to hear from you, Ron. Sounds like things are going swimmingly for you! Always nice to read a success story. You definitely have the right attitude. I can’t believe all of the things you managed to do while waiting around to heal–you made excellent use of the down time. Your boy is handsome. Give him a scritch behind the ears for me!

  10. Ron on January 25, 2014 12:14 am

    Hi Kellygirl,

    Thank you very much! You were there from day one (along with Norm) offering support, encouragement and great advice - I’ll never forget that! It is also why I started the “Newbie Project.”

    Unfortunately, I am seeing a lot of Newbies, which makes me sad, but they seem to be getting started right away, asking good questions, are quick learners, and are moving along just fine - thanks to Dennis, Norm and people like yourself.

    Regarding my accomplishments -thanks, but I am not that good at all. LOL. However, I did just add a link to my work (art, photography and music). The artwork is all large (18X24 up to 4 feet by 3 feet) and sold, but I redid the first 4 recently and took a single pic (parrots…) I will add more newer pics and music with my next post. I play more old school rock-n-roll, old school funk (not R&B or rap), blues and pop nowadays. (But listen to jazz and classical). LOL

    Kato (my dog) is a big, but good boy, and I will give him a pop upside the head for ya. :-) He will probably jump on me and want to play, though.

    Thanks again, and it’s always nice hearing from you.

    Have a great weekend.

    Ron

  11. kellygirl on January 25, 2014 3:25 am

    Nice artwork. I even listened to some of your music and I’m allergic to jazz. You are very modest–your paintings and photographs are quite impressive. Pretty awesome that you have had the opportunity to get back to some of your hobbies–I guess that is an upside to this injury! Keep up the good work!

  12. Ron on January 25, 2014 4:51 am

    Thanks Kellygirl!

  13. Coast2CoastHoya on January 29, 2014 5:19 pm

    Ron, thanks for the update, congrats on getting back to golf and jogging, and keep it up!!

  14. Ron on February 1, 2014 4:50 pm

    Thanks C2C,

    Good luck with your recovery.

    Going to the range right now (but we have another 6 inches coming today and more Tues & Wed). what a crappy winter for everyone, but I HOPE summer is much better. LOL.

    Ron
    Patiently Moving Forward

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