Like I said, I just went for a little walk. Just around the office building... three times. It's a grand total of a mile, and it took me about 15 minutes, but I'm definitely not worried about that. What's important is that everything felt pretty good. I'm definitely not having any problems with strength, and I can't wait for next Monday to get the staples out -- that *has* to be more comfortable than right now!
I will now go back to doing my subdued, but entertaining, happy dance.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Still making progress
And things are still getting better. Yesterday, I walked up the stairs to my third floor office for the first time in a week. And I did it again today. Basically, I'm not noticing any problems with strength... it's more just that I have to move things a little slowly, and I still can't have any pressure put on the healing area. But, I plan on going for a little walk today after lunch... and I can't wait!
Sunday, May 27, 2007
And I Ain't No Gimp No More
This is just a quick update to let everyone know that I'm actually healing quite nicely. I woke up yesterday morning and was halfway to the bathroom before I realized I didn't have my crutches. I have now spent 24 hours completely crutch-free, and with the exception of a little soreness if I move around too much, I'm feeling great! Granted, my wife is out playing golf right now without me, but hey, I still have nine staples in my leg!
Friday, May 25, 2007
Surgery Recap
That was interesting. As mentioned before, I had surgery on Wednesday to excise a mass from my right leg. The surgery was scheduled for 11:15AM, with the prep supposedly starting at 8:15AM. Naturally, we left all sorts of time to allow for traffic, so we actually ended up getting to the hospital at about 7:45. And boy howdy, was I hungry. I tell ya, I understand the need for the fasting before surgery, but I sure don't like it!
The hospital staff was fairly quick at getting me checked in and into the prep room, where I ditched my lovely duds for a stylish hospital gown. And though it wasn't my best look, I still think I made it work. And then they left us alone. For a while. And we watched Spongebob. Finally, at about 9:00, my wife had to go to work (at which point, still nobody had come to talk to us). And then I was left alone. For a while. And I watched Spongebob. And I laughed...
Finally, the nurse came and gave me the IV. Now, having never had an IV before, this was kinda cool. I'm one of those folks who gets some weird sort of kick out of watching needles going into my skin. And for the last few weeks, I've had plenty of opportunity to see it. I think I'm over it now. But they got me going on the drip, and then took me to the holding pen.
This was definitely a new experience for me... beds lined up in many rows, all waiting for surgeries. Most everyone had a visitor or four with them. The group next to me was taking cell phone calls (not so much allowed), and trying to get even more people back there! That would have been ugly. Luckily, I wasn't there for long. Just long enough to verify what I was there for (and emphasize RIGHT leg), talk to the doc (who noticed that said mass seemed smaller than before), and talk to the anesthesiologist (who had done some work in Maryland before, and offered good advice on where to get good crabs in Jacksonville). They took me to the O.R., strapped me down, and the anesthesiologist knocked me ri...
... I awoke as I was being wheeled into another room for recovery. Another large holding pen. And I was still feeling goofy. I looked at the clock on the wall -- it was 11:15! Hey -- I'm supposed to be having surgery now! Get me in there! Oh, wait... they were too efficient. I'm OK with that. My leg was wrapped up, and I was feeling *no* pain. At all. They told me that I was going to get a visit from the rehab folks to teach me how to walk on crutches. And then they took me to the next room -- which was my final recovery room. I called my lovely bride and let her know I was OK. I guess I was still loopy, since she said something along the lines of "That's great, honey... why don't you call me back when you make sense?" Note: we're still waiting on this to occur.
Finally, the crutch guy comes in and attempts to teach me how to walk with them. I pick it up quickly, but my dressing falls off and I'm finally allowed to see what the doc did to me. Nine staples in my leg. I look like frickin' Frankenstein. Wanna see a picture? It's cool!
(Not for the sqeamish)
After that, my lovely bride came and took me home. And I laid on the couch. And I took hydrocodone. And I slept. And I woke up, ate some soup, took some hydrocodone, watched Lost, and went back to sleep. The next morning, I woke up, took some hydrocodone, and went back to sleep. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Finally, this morning (Friday), I was able to take a shower. And I had to change my dressing. This is actually the point where I took the picture. It really doesn't look that bad, but it's neat. And things are looking better. I'm able to put weight on it at this point. I was able to drive myself to work today (although I won't be going on any long road trips this weekend). I'm still using the crutches for some support, and to be able to move around faster, but I won't be needing them all that much longer. So, I have high hopes that this won't last that long.
Also, I was supposed to go on a business trip next week, and I was able to get out of that. So, hopefully, I can move my post-op up a little bit and I can finally find out what the hell it was they took out of me and I can move on and get back to hobbling/walking/running (in that order). I got things to do and races to see!
On on to recovery!!!
The hospital staff was fairly quick at getting me checked in and into the prep room, where I ditched my lovely duds for a stylish hospital gown. And though it wasn't my best look, I still think I made it work. And then they left us alone. For a while. And we watched Spongebob. Finally, at about 9:00, my wife had to go to work (at which point, still nobody had come to talk to us). And then I was left alone. For a while. And I watched Spongebob. And I laughed...
Finally, the nurse came and gave me the IV. Now, having never had an IV before, this was kinda cool. I'm one of those folks who gets some weird sort of kick out of watching needles going into my skin. And for the last few weeks, I've had plenty of opportunity to see it. I think I'm over it now. But they got me going on the drip, and then took me to the holding pen.
This was definitely a new experience for me... beds lined up in many rows, all waiting for surgeries. Most everyone had a visitor or four with them. The group next to me was taking cell phone calls (not so much allowed), and trying to get even more people back there! That would have been ugly. Luckily, I wasn't there for long. Just long enough to verify what I was there for (and emphasize RIGHT leg), talk to the doc (who noticed that said mass seemed smaller than before), and talk to the anesthesiologist (who had done some work in Maryland before, and offered good advice on where to get good crabs in Jacksonville). They took me to the O.R., strapped me down, and the anesthesiologist knocked me ri...
... I awoke as I was being wheeled into another room for recovery. Another large holding pen. And I was still feeling goofy. I looked at the clock on the wall -- it was 11:15! Hey -- I'm supposed to be having surgery now! Get me in there! Oh, wait... they were too efficient. I'm OK with that. My leg was wrapped up, and I was feeling *no* pain. At all. They told me that I was going to get a visit from the rehab folks to teach me how to walk on crutches. And then they took me to the next room -- which was my final recovery room. I called my lovely bride and let her know I was OK. I guess I was still loopy, since she said something along the lines of "That's great, honey... why don't you call me back when you make sense?" Note: we're still waiting on this to occur.
Finally, the crutch guy comes in and attempts to teach me how to walk with them. I pick it up quickly, but my dressing falls off and I'm finally allowed to see what the doc did to me. Nine staples in my leg. I look like frickin' Frankenstein. Wanna see a picture? It's cool!
(Not for the sqeamish)
After that, my lovely bride came and took me home. And I laid on the couch. And I took hydrocodone. And I slept. And I woke up, ate some soup, took some hydrocodone, watched Lost, and went back to sleep. The next morning, I woke up, took some hydrocodone, and went back to sleep. Lather. Rinse. Repeat.
Finally, this morning (Friday), I was able to take a shower. And I had to change my dressing. This is actually the point where I took the picture. It really doesn't look that bad, but it's neat. And things are looking better. I'm able to put weight on it at this point. I was able to drive myself to work today (although I won't be going on any long road trips this weekend). I'm still using the crutches for some support, and to be able to move around faster, but I won't be needing them all that much longer. So, I have high hopes that this won't last that long.
Also, I was supposed to go on a business trip next week, and I was able to get out of that. So, hopefully, I can move my post-op up a little bit and I can finally find out what the hell it was they took out of me and I can move on and get back to hobbling/walking/running (in that order). I got things to do and races to see!
On on to recovery!!!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
I made it
Just a quick note to say that the surgery seems to have gone well. My leg hurts, and I'm exhausted, but it's done. Next stop... recovery!
Thanks, everyone! I'll write more later.
Thanks, everyone! I'll write more later.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Scratch one race
Well, I just scheduled an extraction of all four wisdom teeth for June 14th. Two days before the Run for the Pies. As my lovely wife pointed out, I'm probably not going to want to do much of anything, let alone run 3.1 miles.
However, what she doesn't know is that this is all part of my nefarious scheme to make sure that I don't try to come back from my surgery too quickly. After all, without the pressure of a race looming, I can take my time and get back into running when I'm actually ready. Personally, I'm down with it. Although I'm still not looking forward to the extraction. Or the surgery.
I probably won't have any updates until after my surgery, but I'll let everyone know how it goes after that. Wish me luck!
However, what she doesn't know is that this is all part of my nefarious scheme to make sure that I don't try to come back from my surgery too quickly. After all, without the pressure of a race looming, I can take my time and get back into running when I'm actually ready. Personally, I'm down with it. Although I'm still not looking forward to the extraction. Or the surgery.
I probably won't have any updates until after my surgery, but I'll let everyone know how it goes after that. Wish me luck!
Friday, May 18, 2007
Son of a...!!!
Not related to running. I just wanted to vent for a second. I just got permanent crowns put on my front two teeth (#8 and #9, in that dental jargon), and that freakin' hurt!!! Of course, being able to bite down on things again will be nice. And my smile is oh, so purty. But, damn!
OK, I now return you to your regularly scheduled lack of activity.
OK, I now return you to your regularly scheduled lack of activity.
One other thing
Just FYI, it'll be a few days before I have workouts worth writing about. I'm having surgery done on my leg next week (not anything big... the doctor said I should be on crutches for a few days, but that's it). And while I am bound and determined to get back to running as soon as I can, I'm also going to make very sure that I don't try to go too fast for full recovery.
So, there's another added wrinkle. Chances are, I won't be breaking that 30 minute mark in the 5k I have coming up on June 16th, but that's fine. Honestly, at that point, I'll be happy just to do it!
So, any advice for making sure that I don't come back too quickly?
So, there's another added wrinkle. Chances are, I won't be breaking that 30 minute mark in the 5k I have coming up on June 16th, but that's fine. Honestly, at that point, I'll be happy just to do it!
So, any advice for making sure that I don't come back too quickly?
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Welcome!
Well, every blog needs that starter who-I-am-and-why-should-you-read-this-crap post. So... here's mine.
I'm Bill, I'm 34 years old, live in Jacksonville, FL, and I am a beginning runner. I have run several 5Ks in the past, but not quickly... my best official time is 32 minutes, although I can now go faster than that in my training runs. I also ran a 5 miler in 55 minutes in February. But I have signed up for a bunch of races in the near future, and this will be my outlet for talking about the training involved. And what brought on the desire for a training output? Well, tonight I signed up for an official training program so that I can run the National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer in Jacksonville Beach, FL next February (http://www.breastcancermarathon.com).
So, what other runs do I have coming up in the near future?
So, here is part of my workout logging, and some therapy. Hopefully, somebody out there will enjoy some of the stories I can tell, and I'm hoping I can learn something else from those who have come before me!
Thanks!
I'm Bill, I'm 34 years old, live in Jacksonville, FL, and I am a beginning runner. I have run several 5Ks in the past, but not quickly... my best official time is 32 minutes, although I can now go faster than that in my training runs. I also ran a 5 miler in 55 minutes in February. But I have signed up for a bunch of races in the near future, and this will be my outlet for talking about the training involved. And what brought on the desire for a training output? Well, tonight I signed up for an official training program so that I can run the National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer in Jacksonville Beach, FL next February (http://www.breastcancermarathon.com).
So, what other runs do I have coming up in the near future?
- June 16: Race for the Pies
- August 4: Tour de Pain
- September 15: Beaches 10 Miler
- October 7: Disney Race for the Taste 10k
- January 13: Disney Half Marathon
- And, of course, February 17: Breast Cancer Marathon
So, here is part of my workout logging, and some therapy. Hopefully, somebody out there will enjoy some of the stories I can tell, and I'm hoping I can learn something else from those who have come before me!
Thanks!
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