OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
You can see them in this photo...
Bilateral TKR The Historian - recovery diary
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OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
"Gently, gently, evidently, we are safe so far. After scaling fence and paling, here at last we are..." Carefully navigating the rain-slicked rocks at Jakes Rocks overlook.
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
She doesn't post here, but here is a photo of my fellow adventurer.... 11 years after having both knees replaced. The Iron Lady, as I've nicknamed her, is a good example of a person with a BLKR keeping active long-term. The trip across the bridge was part of a day that included a twelve mile bike ride - and it was my stamina that limited the trip, not hers.
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
Uneventful few days. I saw my mother last weekend, who observed I walk better than I did a few weeks ago, but I still have trouble getting out of chairs. (Gee, thanks Mom!) I survived an 11 hour workday Friday, although my stamina and concentration was very iffy by the end of it. I took it easy today, just running some errands.
One unanticipated side effect of the surgery is needing to replace much of the contents of my wardrobe. Not just shoes, unfortunately, although there's that too. The problem is that by gaining three inches in height - from 5' 11" to near 6' 2" - I've gone from extended range sizes to Tall extended range sizes. Some of the gain was from the knee implants, some from the correction of the valgus deformity, and some because my posture has improved. But having an improved posture and gait means little if your shirts are too short on you, and your pants end above your ankles. And chicks find an ill-dressed man a turn off.
Anyway, this isn't a first time; I lost 162 pounds six years ago and had to replace my clothes more often than the average guy.
A complicating factor here is that I've gained weight since returning to work. I'm not handling stress well, and my activity levels is still down. So I need to get active again, much more than I have been. I felt like I was pushing it on vacation; well, I should have pushed it further, and need to push it further still now that I'm home. My weight gain is a warning that I'm not living as I should. I once wrote that "weighing 400 pounds was a living death. Now I live every day." Living every day will be the key to not only bringing my weight back down, but charging my recovery.
One unanticipated side effect of the surgery is needing to replace much of the contents of my wardrobe. Not just shoes, unfortunately, although there's that too. The problem is that by gaining three inches in height - from 5' 11" to near 6' 2" - I've gone from extended range sizes to Tall extended range sizes. Some of the gain was from the knee implants, some from the correction of the valgus deformity, and some because my posture has improved. But having an improved posture and gait means little if your shirts are too short on you, and your pants end above your ankles. And chicks find an ill-dressed man a turn off.
Anyway, this isn't a first time; I lost 162 pounds six years ago and had to replace my clothes more often than the average guy. A complicating factor here is that I've gained weight since returning to work. I'm not handling stress well, and my activity levels is still down. So I need to get active again, much more than I have been. I felt like I was pushing it on vacation; well, I should have pushed it further, and need to push it further still now that I'm home. My weight gain is a warning that I'm not living as I should. I once wrote that "weighing 400 pounds was a living death. Now I live every day." Living every day will be the key to not only bringing my weight back down, but charging my recovery.
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
A couple of upcoming events.....
My first post surgery 5K will be "Burn off the Bird" in Phoenixville the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Here I am crossing the finish in 2010:
Also, I'm invited to ride the Great Allegheny Passage and C & O Canal Towpath with a friend in 2013. The 350 mile trip is from the suburbs of Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. I've done the trip three times before, in 2008 and 2009, and I've ridden sections of the trails in 2009, 2010, and this year. I guess training should start now.
My first post surgery 5K will be "Burn off the Bird" in Phoenixville the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Here I am crossing the finish in 2010:
Also, I'm invited to ride the Great Allegheny Passage and C & O Canal Towpath with a friend in 2013. The 350 mile trip is from the suburbs of Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. I've done the trip three times before, in 2008 and 2009, and I've ridden sections of the trails in 2009, 2010, and this year. I guess training should start now.
BJ Mac
post-grad
Wow, That sounds like a really cool ride. Pittsburgh to Washington D.C. I want to do it!!! When is that?
referee54
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You are doing great!!! I want to ride that trail---hopefully, this summer. One of my former students rode it and loved it, and it is a goal of mine to ride it this coming year.A couple of upcoming events.....
My first post surgery 5K will be "Burn off the Bird" in Phoenixville the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Here I am crossing the finish in 2010:
Also, I'm invited to ride the Great Allegheny Passage and C & O Canal Towpath with a friend in 2013. The 350 mile trip is from the suburbs of Pittsburgh to Washington, DC. I've done the trip three times before, in 2008 and 2009, and I've ridden sections of the trails in 2009, 2010, and this year. I guess training should start now.
Neil, I sure enjoyed your latest photos and stories. I hope you have many, many more to entertain us. But my favorite part is seeing your beautiful knees in the pictures. They are so straight and "purty"!!!
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
My friend and I haven't set a date yet, but it will be a week over the summer. We will haul our own camping gear. Here I am at Milepost Zero on the canal in Georgetown.
And the victory photo..... someone on Bike Forums claimed it was the greatest finish line shot ever taken.
If I look slightly manic in the photo, I probably was. My previous trip in 2008 ended with a crash and car transport 100 miles to DC, and a broken rib. I had something to prove, so when my rear wheel began blowing spokes 16 miles out, I had to tough it out. I rode into DC without rear brakes, and the Bike Forums community wondering if I'd make it.
As an aside, I 'met' Bonesmart poster TXVintage on Bike Forums after the tour, and we talked about our mutual knee problems. I'm pleased he's had a knee replacement too, and I hope he has more success with his than I will have with mine.... if possible.
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
After deciding I was going to spend a quiet evening, I took a nap, woke up refreshed, and spent a couple of hours at the Railroad Street Bar and Grill in Linfield. A former cycling friend of mine is bassist for the Rhythm and Groove Band, and they were playing tonight. I am the ultimate stuffed shirt most of the time, but I don't know what happened.... after a few minutes I was on the dance floor grooving to "Twist and Shout." (Pretty much describes some of my post surgery therapy.... they twist the leg, and I shout.)
There might be images.... I hope not.
Anyway, I'm a lousy dancer, and the bar wasn't a good place for someone stag (almost no single women), but it felt good to MOVE. If someone told me I'd be dancing for a half hour at a time I'd have told them they were nuts.
There might be images.... I hope not.
Anyway, I'm a lousy dancer, and the bar wasn't a good place for someone stag (almost no single women), but it felt good to MOVE. If someone told me I'd be dancing for a half hour at a time I'd have told them they were nuts.
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Dr Steve Peters, consultant psychiatrist to Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton, the Olympic cycling team and Team Sky has written a self-help book, "The Chimp Paradox". I've just finished it; not sure if it's something I can recommend but it contains some fascinating points of view and suggested ways of dealing with life. Dr Peters is so well qualified it's got to be worth a look.
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
Well, when I mean I'm not handling stress well, I mean I'm not handling it as I used to when I lost weight. I work in an office where obesity is almost actively encouraged - the two people I report to, for instance, are both about 400 pounds and Type 2 - and I'm not energetic as I used to be. Even last year I could still put out a 45 mile riding day, and while my weight was up from my low, I was making progress bringing it down. I've never been able to maintain weight loss from diet alone, and now I'm not even maintaining healthy eating. Add in post surgical depression and the limits to my physical abilities and I have a hard time from not using food as a drug.
Anyway I'm trying to take steps to reduce the stress in my life at the moment, and to get active again.
Anyway I'm trying to take steps to reduce the stress in my life at the moment, and to get active again.
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
Not sure this is a 'victory' or not, but it is a change. Friday night I tripped on a loose shoelace. I never had that happen before, partly because my feet were so far apart I didn't need to worry about stepping on a loose lace. Now that my legs are straight I have to be careful. (I generally wear loafers at work, and the athletic shoes I normally wear had the fabric laces replaced with rubberized ones that don't come untied, so I don't often have to tie shoelaces.)
I'm concerned about my stamina as we go into the busy season at work. Two weeks ago I put in an 11 hour day and was so tired I was almost unable to drive the 16 miles home. Two of my coworkers were there 20 hours. I might need to have a discussion with my boss about forced overtime, and that means getting a doctor's exemption. My stamina hasn't recovered from the surgery yet. I don't know if this is normal or not.
I'm concerned about my stamina as we go into the busy season at work. Two weeks ago I put in an 11 hour day and was so tired I was almost unable to drive the 16 miles home. Two of my coworkers were there 20 hours. I might need to have a discussion with my boss about forced overtime, and that means getting a doctor's exemption. My stamina hasn't recovered from the surgery yet. I don't know if this is normal or not.
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Strewth what do you actually do? Could you get another job (not that I want to add to your stress levels...).
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
In this market? Not impossible, but unlikely.
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
No, but I'd find it hard to believe I have anemia considering the amount of meat I eat.
shr
member
Looking good!
trailspud
graduate
I haven't been on this site so much the past week or so, but I always enjoy the Historian's Recovery Diary. If it's one page one, I check it out first. Best wishes on recovery and I hope the future brings more fun adventures.
OP
OP
TheHistorian
post-grad
I'm wondering what, if anything, I need to do differently in the cold weather coming my way. Suggestions?
I hiked/walked the .75 mile Interpretive Trail yesterday at Black Rock Park. I last walked it in late April, took an hour, and felt like I was going to die before I finished. I completed it in 40 minutes yesterday and aside from some knee swelling had no trouble. Or no trouble from the joints..... I have a headcold and that gave me a problem, as I was throwing up as I reached home....
I hiked/walked the .75 mile Interpretive Trail yesterday at Black Rock Park. I last walked it in late April, took an hour, and felt like I was going to die before I finished. I completed it in 40 minutes yesterday and aside from some knee swelling had no trouble. Or no trouble from the joints..... I have a headcold and that gave me a problem, as I was throwing up as I reached home....
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