As Ric Romero could report, being busy detracts from blogging time.
My back pain ended up being residual pain from the surgery. The worst case scenario would have been that I had another ruptured disc. The MRI showed no extra disc in my back, but it did show some extra floaters in the general area of my spine. They way they explained it was this:
Imagine if you have a single rock in your shoe. Most of the time, it's between your toes, or in a crevice somewhere, where it doesn't hurt. However, every once in awhile, it will get under your toes or your arch, or your heel, and when you step down, it hurts like hell. So, you wiggle your foot inside your shoe and move that rock out of the way again.
Basically, some material in my spinal column bumped against my nerve, and that became pain. My job was to basically wait for this material to die down.
Afterwards, I was cleared for Physical Therapy. I saw the great people at Great Plains Therapy in Vermillion, and Ruth and company were excellent at getting my strength back, plus some.
Unfortunately, financial reasons prohibit me from spending $45 a week to work out, so I had to quit... I hope to start on a more all-inclusive workout plan soon...
Monday, April 02, 2007
Back pain explained
As Ric Romero could report, being busy detracts from blogging time.
My back pain ended up being residual pain from the surgery. The worst case scenario would have been that I had another ruptured disc. The MRI showed no extra material in my back, but it did show some extra material in the general area of my spine. They way they explained it was this:
Imagine if you have a single rock in your shoe. Most of the time, it's between your toes, or in a crevice somewhere, where it doesn't hurt. However, every once in awhile, it will get under your toes or your arch, or your heel, and when you step down, it hurts like hell. So, you wiggle your foot inside your shoe and move that rock out of the way again.
Basically, some material in my spinal column bumped against my nerve, and that became pain. My job was to basically wait for this material to die down.
Afterwards, I was cleared for Physical Therapy. I saw the great people at Great Plains Therapy in Vermillion, and Ruth and company were excellent at getting my strength back, plus some.
Unfortunately, financial reasons prohibit me from spending $45 a week to work out, so I had to quit... I hope to start on a more all-inclusive workout plan soon...
My back pain ended up being residual pain from the surgery. The worst case scenario would have been that I had another ruptured disc. The MRI showed no extra material in my back, but it did show some extra material in the general area of my spine. They way they explained it was this:
Imagine if you have a single rock in your shoe. Most of the time, it's between your toes, or in a crevice somewhere, where it doesn't hurt. However, every once in awhile, it will get under your toes or your arch, or your heel, and when you step down, it hurts like hell. So, you wiggle your foot inside your shoe and move that rock out of the way again.
Basically, some material in my spinal column bumped against my nerve, and that became pain. My job was to basically wait for this material to die down.
Afterwards, I was cleared for Physical Therapy. I saw the great people at Great Plains Therapy in Vermillion, and Ruth and company were excellent at getting my strength back, plus some.
Unfortunately, financial reasons prohibit me from spending $45 a week to work out, so I had to quit... I hope to start on a more all-inclusive workout plan soon...
Back Biking again
I hit a milestone in my recovery last week - I went on my first extended bike ride on my road bike. I chose a short route, only about 7 miles, but this being Sioux City, I knew there were some steep hills to contend with...
Short Cheyenne Blvd Route
Despite the hills - much steeper and narrower than I'm used to, I ended the ride feeling warmed up and not at all tired. My three big concerns were:
1) would my still numb left leg be able to power me up the hills,
2) Would my back handle the repetitive stress, and
3) would my butt be able to handle a seat without padded biking shorts (still lost from moving)
The answer to all 3 ended up being an enthusiastic yes to the first 2, and a very sore yes to the 3rd... After the ride, I walked up and down my yard to warm down, but realized that I was not very tired at all.
Tired and not dehydrated.
Joe sent me this article about the importance of knowing your sweat rate. I remember when I was first starting out, I would come home after a long ride for a beginner (20-30 miles), and absolutely just collapse in the shower. I knew this would shortly be followed by extreme muscle cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. After an hour of contorting myself into weird positions while sitting on the pot with a garbage can in my face, I would realize the attack was over, and stumble out into the living room or bedroom to recover from that.
Incredibly stupid. Severe dehydration is life threatening.
I now carry twice as much water as I think I need. I bought a 3 liter Camelbak and make sure it's filled every time I leave the house. In addition, I make sure to drink at least 1 Gatorade bottle every 20 miles or so. Since that, I have had no "attacks", even after my last big ride, a 50 miler...
Short Cheyenne Blvd Route
Despite the hills - much steeper and narrower than I'm used to, I ended the ride feeling warmed up and not at all tired. My three big concerns were:
1) would my still numb left leg be able to power me up the hills,
2) Would my back handle the repetitive stress, and
3) would my butt be able to handle a seat without padded biking shorts (still lost from moving)
The answer to all 3 ended up being an enthusiastic yes to the first 2, and a very sore yes to the 3rd... After the ride, I walked up and down my yard to warm down, but realized that I was not very tired at all.
Tired and not dehydrated.
Joe sent me this article about the importance of knowing your sweat rate. I remember when I was first starting out, I would come home after a long ride for a beginner (20-30 miles), and absolutely just collapse in the shower. I knew this would shortly be followed by extreme muscle cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. After an hour of contorting myself into weird positions while sitting on the pot with a garbage can in my face, I would realize the attack was over, and stumble out into the living room or bedroom to recover from that.
Incredibly stupid. Severe dehydration is life threatening.
I now carry twice as much water as I think I need. I bought a 3 liter Camelbak and make sure it's filled every time I leave the house. In addition, I make sure to drink at least 1 Gatorade bottle every 20 miles or so. Since that, I have had no "attacks", even after my last big ride, a 50 miler...
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
My back again
Well, I was going to write about how I've been pop for 13 days straight, but something else has come up.
Last Friday was my 9 week checkup after surgery. I saw Emile Fernando, who was puzzled by my lack of progress in gaining leg strength. My leg is still numb, weak, and tingly. I also explained that lately, I had been having some weird back aches. He suggested Physical Therapy, and then probably an EMG if that didn't work.
Sunday, I noticed that it hurt whenever I sat down. Sunday night, I woke up with my left leg in pain. I eventually took a Tylenol with Codeine to get back to sleep. The next day, I called the nurse to report this. Dr. Fernando called me back, and was surprised that I was having back pain. He got some more information from me, and then suggested that I would probably get another MRI, depending on what Dr. Ragnarsson said.
A few minutes later, the nurse called me back and said that I'd be having another MRI on Friday, with a dr. appointment immediately following.
Today, I went through with the Physical Therapy appointment, and talked with Ruth, who is the lady who owns the place. After some light therapy and ultrasound, she said it seemed as if my nerve isn't too compressed, and the MRI would be well worth it. However, regardless, this is a wake-up call for me to get in shape. Which I planned on doing anyway, but now I have every reason to do so.
Last Friday was my 9 week checkup after surgery. I saw Emile Fernando, who was puzzled by my lack of progress in gaining leg strength. My leg is still numb, weak, and tingly. I also explained that lately, I had been having some weird back aches. He suggested Physical Therapy, and then probably an EMG if that didn't work.
Sunday, I noticed that it hurt whenever I sat down. Sunday night, I woke up with my left leg in pain. I eventually took a Tylenol with Codeine to get back to sleep. The next day, I called the nurse to report this. Dr. Fernando called me back, and was surprised that I was having back pain. He got some more information from me, and then suggested that I would probably get another MRI, depending on what Dr. Ragnarsson said.
A few minutes later, the nurse called me back and said that I'd be having another MRI on Friday, with a dr. appointment immediately following.
Today, I went through with the Physical Therapy appointment, and talked with Ruth, who is the lady who owns the place. After some light therapy and ultrasound, she said it seemed as if my nerve isn't too compressed, and the MRI would be well worth it. However, regardless, this is a wake-up call for me to get in shape. Which I planned on doing anyway, but now I have every reason to do so.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Year without Pop explained
OK, so a year without pop seems like a good idea right now. Here are the ground rules.
1) No liquids of any kind where the primary ingredient is high-fructose corn syrup.
2) No diet versions of these liquids.
3) No diet caffeine free versions of these liquids.
4) No drinks where sugar is added but is not carbonated (e.g. "fruit" drinks) but to pass off as healthy they twist a a sliver of lime over a vat and call it "<1% fruit juice". (these normally violate rule #1 as well).
Rules of allowable drinks
1) any caffeinated beverage not listed above (including tea and coffee)
2) Any alcoholic beverage that doesn't violate rules above
3) Water
4) milk and dairy products
5) desserts
1) No liquids of any kind where the primary ingredient is high-fructose corn syrup.
2) No diet versions of these liquids.
3) No diet caffeine free versions of these liquids.
4) No drinks where sugar is added but is not carbonated (e.g. "fruit" drinks) but to pass off as healthy they twist a a sliver of lime over a vat and call it "<1% fruit juice". (these normally violate rule #1 as well).
Rules of allowable drinks
1) any caffeinated beverage not listed above (including tea and coffee)
2) Any alcoholic beverage that doesn't violate rules above
3) Water
4) milk and dairy products
5) desserts
Year without Pop
After reading this article, I thought about what's been happening to my body lately - and came to the conclusion that the answer was "nothing". Over 2006, I ramped up my exercise and biking to the point last year where it literally broke me in half, but I remain at exactly 225 lbs. 6 months after being told by a doctor to cease most forms of exercise, I checked the scale again, and found it pegged right at 225.
So, exercise and a steady diet are not the keys to weight loss, despite what all those doctors say. Even after nudging my food choices to the healthier edge of the spectrum, I found my scale unchanged.
After the birth of my fourth kid (in just over 4 years), and after stepping on a scale and seeing it move in to a brand new number (228), I figure there's a need to step on the gas on my futile attempts at self-improvement, a endless cycle of depression and pain.
So, after giving it a hard thought for over 20 minutes, I decided that I'll give up pop in all its forms, for an entire year. I know what you're thinking. It's either a) "Good God you're nuts! In this day and age, nobody can survive that long without sugar and caffeine" or b) "Good God you're an idiot. How did you expect to ever lose weight when you jammed your face with empty calories all day long?".
I'll attempt to answer you with actions, while also documenting any possible side-effects that may come with this new resolution.
Can man survive without watered down carbonated high-fructose corn syrup? What's the quality of life during this? Can reducing pop make you lose weight? Armed with Wal-mart branded "headache" pills, I intend to give you the answer.
Just for the record, my last pop was a Dr. Pepper, bought this morning from McDonalds.
So, exercise and a steady diet are not the keys to weight loss, despite what all those doctors say. Even after nudging my food choices to the healthier edge of the spectrum, I found my scale unchanged.
After the birth of my fourth kid (in just over 4 years), and after stepping on a scale and seeing it move in to a brand new number (228), I figure there's a need to step on the gas on my futile attempts at self-improvement, a endless cycle of depression and pain.
So, after giving it a hard thought for over 20 minutes, I decided that I'll give up pop in all its forms, for an entire year. I know what you're thinking. It's either a) "Good God you're nuts! In this day and age, nobody can survive that long without sugar and caffeine" or b) "Good God you're an idiot. How did you expect to ever lose weight when you jammed your face with empty calories all day long?".
I'll attempt to answer you with actions, while also documenting any possible side-effects that may come with this new resolution.
Can man survive without watered down carbonated high-fructose corn syrup? What's the quality of life during this? Can reducing pop make you lose weight? Armed with Wal-mart branded "headache" pills, I intend to give you the answer.
Just for the record, my last pop was a Dr. Pepper, bought this morning from McDonalds.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Two and a half weeks later...
I had surgery on Halloween, spent two weeks recuperating in a busy house with 3 small kids, and finally was able to return to work on Tuesday.
Physically, I still can't feel the back of my left leg, my left foot has mostly stopped tingling, and I walk very slowly with a slight limp.
My incision in my back is a bit itchy, but mostly healed up. My back is still stiff but it doesn't cause the same amount of pain as before.
Mentally, I'd say that life is not getting any better. I haven't been at 100% physically since June, and the strain is starting to get to me. Both neurosurgeons I talked to said that recovery would be slow, but I always hoped that because I had it diagnosed early that recovery would be faster. The nurse seemed surprised that I was nearly off painkillers this soon. But I still can't do the things I need or want to do. Sitting down for more than 20-30 minutes makes my back really stiff. Standing makes it better, but then my feet start to hurt after awhile...
I took one last night just to wind down after a long day and to help me to ignore the residual pain that I hadn't noticed during the day. Even though I'm down from as many as as many as 6 pills a day (right after the surgery), I can't help thinking this is how addicts get started.
Hard to concentrate on work, hard to make things work, hard to just pay attention to things that I need to remember...
Physically, I still can't feel the back of my left leg, my left foot has mostly stopped tingling, and I walk very slowly with a slight limp.
My incision in my back is a bit itchy, but mostly healed up. My back is still stiff but it doesn't cause the same amount of pain as before.
Mentally, I'd say that life is not getting any better. I haven't been at 100% physically since June, and the strain is starting to get to me. Both neurosurgeons I talked to said that recovery would be slow, but I always hoped that because I had it diagnosed early that recovery would be faster. The nurse seemed surprised that I was nearly off painkillers this soon. But I still can't do the things I need or want to do. Sitting down for more than 20-30 minutes makes my back really stiff. Standing makes it better, but then my feet start to hurt after awhile...
I took one last night just to wind down after a long day and to help me to ignore the residual pain that I hadn't noticed during the day. Even though I'm down from as many as as many as 6 pills a day (right after the surgery), I can't help thinking this is how addicts get started.
Hard to concentrate on work, hard to make things work, hard to just pay attention to things that I need to remember...
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