Bilateral TKR The Historian - recovery diary

[TheHistorian]

Oh that's great! Good news! I also think it's great the camaraderie you have with your buddy! He looks like a nice guy.

We've known each other less than a month. I sent an email suggesting a hike in December. He was game. Then Mount Misery, and now this. One reason we hit it off is that he knows I lost 160 pounds and kept most of it of until my knees began to fail. How many super obese people do you know? How many do you know who lost most of it? You probably know more of the former than the latter.

 

[TheHistorian]

More photos from Tyler State Park:











All in all it was a good day to turn 47. Even if I spent most of it hanging out with someone who looked like a color wheel that stumbled out of bed.

 

[RICBAK1]

bright is good gets you seen on roads, like the bikes compleated 3 rides this week 15 miles each had a walk 5 miles weight loss ZERO how are you at walking down hills i am terrible can run up walk on flat but down rubbish and i live on a hill have to walk down every day .

 

[PooShay]

I like Çolor Wheel's bike! I need one that I can sit upright on.

And FYI: I'm sticking around! I'm up to teaching 4 Jazzercise classes a week (and the time and effort in preparing for class). My knees are stronger than my stamina. Boy, do I get tired ... and LOVE it! I find that I sleep a lot now.

 

[TheHistorian]

I like Çolor Wheel's bike! I need one that I can sit upright on.

Chris is riding a Day Six "Dream" bike. He broke the seat and repaired it himself.

 

[Brownie51]

Is CW's bike special for overweight people? Love the photos. So beautiful!!

 

[TheHistorian]

No, the Day Six line of bikes are designed for people who like to sit upright while riding. Its at a cost - even without the added plywood the bike weighs 35 pounds. Chris, like many of the long-time super obese, has a bad back, and sitting upright means he can ride again. As he loses weight - "When, not If" I tell him - and his muscles strengthen he might resume riding a more conventional bike.

 

[ElanorG]

I love your friend's bright colored clothing! "a color wheel that stumbled out of bed" is a great line. I quilt and I use lots of bright fabrics so he wears great colors to me!

 

[referee54]

I like the Trek that you are sporting today!

 

[nmscienceteacher]

Tell Chris we are all rooting for him in his weight loss journey. Historian, thanks for all your posts and the pics...you are inspiring me. Tyler park looks really beautiful. I used to live in Villanova when I was in high school, haven't been back in years. You forget how lush the Pennsylvania countryside is..

 

[Jacky48]

Historian, Chris's bright colors says to me, he's happy inside, now he's letting it out with his clothes color! Even though you've only known each other for a month, there is a connection! Enjoy your new friendship!

Great pictures, thanks for sharing!

 

[TheHistorian]

I rode 17 miles on the Schuylkill River and Perkiomen Trails on Saturday. I rode with two friends from the Clydesdale and Athena sub-forum at Bike Forums, as well as Chris. (A Clydesdale is a male rider of 200 pounds or more; Athena are women of 150 or more.)

The new joints worked well despite the damp weather. At the end of the ride I had a slightly odd feeling in my left knee. It reminded me of the patella mistracking I used to suffer before replacement, only not so severe. I don't know if its a problem or just a fluke.

This was my longest ride since September 2011, and only my second ride outside since September 2012.

Photos:

Both men in this one set new personal bests - the one on the left you know about, the one on the right his first ride of more than 10 miles.



Group photo. One rider, the fellow sticking out his tongue, was off his meds it seems.



Heading back to Valley Forge.

 

[TheHistorian]

At the end of the ride I had to rush home and change, for I was being picked up by a friend and taken to a Bicycle Club of Philadelphia presentation on the bike touring adventures of club members. I now have a strange desire to ride a bike tour in Sri Lanka..... but anyway between that and an Ahi Tuna Cheeseteak at the Belgian Cafe I racked up a mile walking on sidewalks. I was stiff, but no pain at all.

Again, this is why I had knee replacement. My world isn't shrinking any more.

 

[ElanorG]

Great pics again Neil! Second ride outside since 9/12, that is so great. Chris is so lucky to have a friend like you to support him in his weight loss journey and include him in your outings. I know sometimes people don't want the obese person along because they hold them back. I found a recumbent trike group to ride with awhile back but I could not keep up with them, so I never rode with them again. They really only wanted people who could do their pace. I wish I had a buddy like you to help me with my weight struggles. I know I have all my virtual buddies on the forum, but sometimes it is nice to have a real buddy.

 

[TheHistorian]

More photos....

Down the trail....



In Lower Perkiomen Valley Park.



I like this shot, because I caught the sweat on his brow..... Chris is checking his mileage.

 

[TheHistorian]

I like the Trek that you are sporting today!

Its too small. But I need to replace the crankarms on the LHT, so I'm using the Trek.

 

[RICBAK1]

great ride too cold here today should snow tonight so indoor bike,knee started swelling today and rash worse have to get it checked

 

[TheHistorian]

Great pics again Neil! Second ride outside since 9/12, that is so great. Chris is so lucky to have a friend like you to support him in his weight loss journey and include him in your outings. I know sometimes people don't want the obese person along because they hold them back. I found a recumbent trike group to ride with awhile back but I could not keep up with them, so I never rode with them again. They really only wanted people who could do their pace. I wish I had a buddy like you to help me with my weight struggles. I know I have all my virtual buddies on the forum, but sometimes it is nice to have a real buddy.

I've been on the other side. I know what its like to get picked last for the team, or to never get picked at all. And as both a super-obese person and a man with a valgus deformity I know what it is to be "the other." In 2006 I turned my life around. God has some purpose for me. I'm not entirely sure what it is yet, but helping people and writing are the only things in this world I have any talent for.

Besides, its not like I don't benefit. As I told Chris, if he were bothersome or nasty I'd not have bothered. But I also said if he never lost another ounce, I'd still ride with him.

 

[Jacky48]

You're a good man Historian!

 

[ElanorG]

Yes he is Jacky!