Running on ...HOME OF THE 'TALL MAN'...
(And you can see the blog pictures below in much greater detail simply by clicking on them)
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Monday, January 02, 2012
A week or so after the surgery, I availed myself of one of the electric grocery carts at Albertsons. It was kind of fun.
Recovery's going well; walking cast works. I may take a page from colleague Erin Madison's book and look back at some faves from the past year. Not on this computer, though.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Success, I think, and great news
I suppose I should put this on Facebook, too, but here's the latest.
After an almost 2-hour surgery yesterday, I now have a cast from almost the knee to over my whole right foot. There are four pins, 1 big one and three little ones, and who-knows-how-many stitches, but it's all covered.
I'm taking some pain meds, which have proved increasingly necessary as the major "blocker" that was used in the surgery wears off.
The doc said it went well and he seemed pleased. He also -- and this is huge -- says there should be no reason I can't run once the healing is over. In fact, when I described what I mean by running, he agreed that my shuffling gait probably is less stressful to my feet than walking.
Right now, of course, it's really sore and I expect that'll be the case for weeks. But I'm thrilled with this prognosis. I've been driving to the river at least once a day in the past month and looking wistfully, if not tearfully, at some of my old routes, wondering if I'd get on 'em again (on a bike, to be sure, however).
So, all's well that might end well, right?
After an almost 2-hour surgery yesterday, I now have a cast from almost the knee to over my whole right foot. There are four pins, 1 big one and three little ones, and who-knows-how-many stitches, but it's all covered.
I'm taking some pain meds, which have proved increasingly necessary as the major "blocker" that was used in the surgery wears off.
The doc said it went well and he seemed pleased. He also -- and this is huge -- says there should be no reason I can't run once the healing is over. In fact, when I described what I mean by running, he agreed that my shuffling gait probably is less stressful to my feet than walking.
Right now, of course, it's really sore and I expect that'll be the case for weeks. But I'm thrilled with this prognosis. I've been driving to the river at least once a day in the past month and looking wistfully, if not tearfully, at some of my old routes, wondering if I'd get on 'em again (on a bike, to be sure, however).
So, all's well that might end well, right?
Sunday, December 04, 2011
B'de b'de b'de That's All Folks!
Well, the second opinion is in and the surgery will occur on Dec. 14. In one of the saddest things I've ever confronted personally, the Missoula doc informed me compassionately that my running days are over. When I told friend Cushman that my dreams of an Olympics marathon apparently are dashed, he said, "Oh, and after all that practice!"
I still harbor a little hope, considering the nature of my "running" — more of a shuffle than a "run." However, the plan is to reassemble the right foot, including fusing the big (bunion) joint, which she said will preclude running and cross-country skiing. Walking, hiking, biking, swimming all are OK, but the thing I've done for 36 years, to the tune of 1,000 miles a year give or take a couple of hundred, appears to be in the past.
I'll refer my handful of regular readers to this website, one of the most brilliant and entertaining blogs I've ever seen on the web. Sadly, Allie's top post (about depression) is one that applies to me in this running context.
I don't know exactly what the regimen will be post-op, but it sounds pretty grim for a few weeks. I'll put a post or two up here to update — maybe dozens, come to think of it, because I won't have much else to do.
Keep running!!!
I still harbor a little hope, considering the nature of my "running" — more of a shuffle than a "run." However, the plan is to reassemble the right foot, including fusing the big (bunion) joint, which she said will preclude running and cross-country skiing. Walking, hiking, biking, swimming all are OK, but the thing I've done for 36 years, to the tune of 1,000 miles a year give or take a couple of hundred, appears to be in the past.
I'll refer my handful of regular readers to this website, one of the most brilliant and entertaining blogs I've ever seen on the web. Sadly, Allie's top post (about depression) is one that applies to me in this running context.
I don't know exactly what the regimen will be post-op, but it sounds pretty grim for a few weeks. I'll put a post or two up here to update — maybe dozens, come to think of it, because I won't have much else to do.
Keep running!!!
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Nothing new, except that ...
... Thanksgiving in Helena was its usual treat — Charlotte's and my ninth together, if you can believe it.
No news on the foot front, other than feeling crippled and depressed after ... let's see ... going from 36 years of running an average of more than a hundred miles a month, to running not at all.
I had a small epiphany today: I'm bummed not only because of the foot, but also because of going, in the past year, from an average of 1.5 hours a day outdoors — seeing the stars, sunrises, winds, clouds, eagles, deer, and an infinity of smaller things — to only the time outdoors (and in my way meditating) I get from my car to my office or home.
I must figure out an alternative, and part of that is learning what will be doable if and when the surgery occurs. Sigh.
No news on the foot front, other than feeling crippled and depressed after ... let's see ... going from 36 years of running an average of more than a hundred miles a month, to running not at all.
I had a small epiphany today: I'm bummed not only because of the foot, but also because of going, in the past year, from an average of 1.5 hours a day outdoors — seeing the stars, sunrises, winds, clouds, eagles, deer, and an infinity of smaller things — to only the time outdoors (and in my way meditating) I get from my car to my office or home.
I must figure out an alternative, and part of that is learning what will be doable if and when the surgery occurs. Sigh.
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
Foot update :-(
So a surgery is scheduled in a few weeks, but before then we'll go for a second opinion to a different orthopedist in Missoula, recommended by sister-in-law Joan. I have the records from my doc here in town and will forward to the Missoula doc.
So, barring big change based on her recommendation, I'll probably be in a cast from mid-December until sometime in February, with the hope that by spring I'll be sufficiently ambulatory to run (?).
Sure hope so. Happy Thanksgiving, friends and family.
So, barring big change based on her recommendation, I'll probably be in a cast from mid-December until sometime in February, with the hope that by spring I'll be sufficiently ambulatory to run (?).
Sure hope so. Happy Thanksgiving, friends and family.
Tuesday, November 08, 2011
Out of action
Well, I'm back in the boot and shopping around for a surgeon. There are quite a few options for the foot, but surgery, I believe, is the only one that involves the possibility of running any more. The doc I visited can do it, and may be fine, but I'm going to get a second and/or third opinion, probably in Missoula. Stay tuned. I'd put a picture of the foot on here, but I don't think you really want to see it.
Long story short, I guess this blog is suspended for a while until I figure out what happens next.
Long story short, I guess this blog is suspended for a while until I figure out what happens next.
Monday, October 31, 2011
dire news
Well, the foot is back causing me problems that are not surmountable by any footwear I possess, so here I am, going to the doctor again tomorrow to see what's up and what can be done about it.
I'm not particularly optimistic with this doc, an orthopedic surgeon who has dealt with my smashed toe, my hairline fracture, etc., but I'm thinking there's more to this than has been evinced so far, so, cross my fingers (my toes already are crossed) and dive in. Who knows when I'll be running again. Soon I hope; the gym may be my immediate sweat future.
I'm not particularly optimistic with this doc, an orthopedic surgeon who has dealt with my smashed toe, my hairline fracture, etc., but I'm thinking there's more to this than has been evinced so far, so, cross my fingers (my toes already are crossed) and dive in. Who knows when I'll be running again. Soon I hope; the gym may be my immediate sweat future.
