And I was winning…….

Well….its been 7.5 months, feeling great, running, no pain so……..Back to the racquetball court.  Went slow, had some fun showing off the scar and then it was back to normal.  No after affects just an overall achiness but felt great the next day.

Have been pushing myself with exercises.  The only thing I can report is that the medial gastroc really lags behind with respect to strength gains and therefore definition.  I have been following the “maximum calves” exercise protocol for 6 weeks and although stronger, able to do a calf raise I’m not seeing as much bulk there. 

Overall I’m happy, back to real life, the ankle is not holding me back from doing anything although I’m cautious.  I know the tendon still has a few more months before completely healing but its still nice to be out and about. 

So to those behind me…keep on exercising, pushing and don’t let the bads get you down for time heals both physically as well as mentally.

We are one day closer to the end.

Doc Ross

Time goes so fast.  Just yesterday I heard the “POP” and life was about to change.  To date I feel as though everything has been flowing steady, progressing and making sure that I practice what I preach.  Rehab has been going well, actually starting to jog on the treadmill.  Recently I was on the treadmill jogging, walking backwards, side stepping and doing crossovers when a woman asked me if I was a dancer.  LOL…almost fell off the treadmill laughing my ass off.  I guess that’s a good sign that at least I looked coordinated enough to illicit that response.  Also started to mountain bike but have no strength to feel comfortable on a moderate to difficult course, so for now just sticking with paths and fireroads.  Did a 20 mile ride and felt tired at the 15 mile mark but no pain.  Walked 18 holes on June 1st and although fatigue set in at the 16th hole I played well and actually noticed that the injury has helped my swing.  Was a natural forward weight shifter and due to not feeling strong and stable on the ankle was able to keep my weight back and hit it further than last year a few times.  Pretty exciting, but hell couldn’t I have just taken a lesson.

Back to normal at work, patients inquire about how I am doing, staff still concerned but overall doing well.  No limp to speak of except late in the day.  Still sticking with the program that got me to this stage. 

Home life is rather uneventful- back to mowing the lawn, cleaning and fixing.  Able to get up and down stairs with no problem and there have been days that I felt 100%. 

The ankle is pain free, tight at times and the swelling comes and goes depending on activity.  My heel will be sore once in awhile, with the altered biomechanics I am sure that I am striking my heel in a different spot than pre rupture.  Based on this I will be fitted with new orthotics. 

So overall I am pleased with where I am.  My main focus now is on strengthening the calf and making sure no compensatory problems arise from the altered gait.

So to all that are following in us veterans footsteps, listen to the surgeon, follw the PTs instructions, read the blogs and comments and before  you know it…you too will realize………..time flies.

We are one day closer to the end

Doc Ross

S’car Smoking at the Canyon

Well I’m back……

refresher on the trip….

fly to Vegas, small plane to South rim of Canyon, stay over night at Bright Angel Lodge, then 10 mile hike down to River, raft 5 days 4 nights, helicopter out to Bar 10 ranch, small plane back to vegas.   all this at 10.5 weeks

So was I nervous, anxious you bet….First having the weakness post surgery, not really exercising and not knowing what lies ahead made me concerned.  Flying was not a problem at all.  The hike was my biggest adversary– 10 miles of switchbacks in new hiking boots along with 100 degree weather made for an interesting day.  So at 5 am we were off…and for 7 miles I did great and then the burning kicked in…almost like my muscles said time to stop…but my mind said if I stop I may not start again…so I pushed thru the burning and interesting enough the burning stopped.  Also the burning was not along the incision or the gastroc but localized to the outer part of the leg.  So after 5 1/2 hours of hiking, heat and moving away (couldn’t really run) from a rattlesnake we were at the river.   Hard hike, especially with a 30# backpack but after undressing down to my skivvies the cold Colorado river felt great not just for my ankle but also for the rest of me…I had made it…

The rest of the trip was uneventful if you consider majestic views, great rafting, nature hikes, good food, camping, stargazing, laughing and meeting people from around the world uneventful.  I was able to participate in all the climbs, jumps off waterfalls and swimming.  If you have not been to the Grand Canyon I highly recommend it…. We used www.riveradventures.com

My only real bump came after camping at a very sandy spot,  swelling set in at night to the point that I soaked in the lake, did my exercises while looking at the spectrum of colors within the canyon…Not a bad place for rehab.

Will post some pictures of the trail and scenes but here is the post hike one

Post hike  

So there you have it…at 10 1/2 weeks thanks to the surgeon, and all of you for the advice, good thoughts, I couldn’t have done it without you….

If  you have questions about the trip let me know…Now back to reality, catching up on all your posts and my first round of golf this Sunday…

We are one day closer to the end.

 Doc Ross

So 2 weeks and counting until my trip..

I will be hiking the Bright Angel trail so if anyone has done this I would appreciate intel.  By then I will be 10.5 weeks post surgery.  Rehab has been going well, swimming, biking, treadmill along with PT.  Actually seeing some definition in my calf, no swelling, occasional heel soreness.  Only problem is stamina, get very tired after a day at the office.  Would appreciate any info from the veterans/front runners as to how they felt endurance wise at the end of 10-11 weeks.

Below I found Bright Angel trail facts.  Luckily all down hill with an average 14% grade.  Wonder if they’ll let me bring my mountain bike.  Not sure how long they want to take to get to the river, cause I know I’ll be slow.  Hopefully I can hitch a ride on a donkey if not my buddys are carrying my 6 ft 200# butt.

http://grandcanyonhiker.com/cgi-bin/trail/trails.cgi

Thanks for everyones support.

We are……………one day closer to the end

 Doc Ross

Seeing progress, following everyones recovery is very informative and enlightening.  I am now in the boot and able to take it off on a regular basis.  The swelling comes and goes depending on my work and activity.  Luckily it dissipates with elevation, ice and therapy.  No pain except when I put some weight on it while in the boot.  Mostly a strange twinge in my heel….anyone else feel that??  It has felt wonderful to take off the boot, shower, scrub and clean up.  The scar appears to be a lot longer than the pictures on this site and although computer illiterate will try and get a picture up. 

Passive PT has commenced.  Very happy about this.  Range of motion-spelling the alphabet- one thing that is beneficial is to do it with both ankles simultaneously so you can actually see where you are restriceted and stiff.  Also massage, having it done 3 times per week, 3 times on the AT and full body once.  A definite must for all, increase circulation, relaxation, improved mobility and just plain ‘ol feels good. A welcome reprieve from a month of frustration.  Have started hot tubing.  Although I had increased swelling after, that was controlled with application of ice for 10 minutes.

So as of right now I feel pretty confident that my trip to the Grand Canyon mid May will go as planned.  Someone had asked about what part of the river and it is the lower canyon..a 5 day rafting trip after a 10 mile hike down to the river.  A definite challege ahead of me but one I am preparing for.  I appreciate all the comments and feedback as it keeps me motivated and excited for all of you as you reach milestones.  

Thank you all

Doc Ross