Stayin' Alive

Physical Therapy has been challenging. 

Not so much the exercises, but the conflicting 4-1-1. 

My main PT guy (Basil) didn't like what my home PT guy had me do for the first three weeks. "I wouldn't have had you do that.....".  I dunno, maybe keep the conflict between yourselves, as whatever happened has already happened. I don't know I was any worse the wear due to PT #1 (Bill). 

And I wrote a while back about using the cane / not using the cane info they ping-ponged back and forth on. 

The main PT guy also gave counter-advice about what the secondary PT (Tim) guy had given me regarding how well I am at bending to 120-125 degrees. Basil goes this last Friday:  it tells me you are looser than you should be and it needs to be tighter. 

It's like having cold water thrown on you. 

I had been boasting about my progress only for that to be dashed by Basil. He wasn't mean about it, but clearly has a different perspective. Perhaps a lot more conservative than Bill or Tim. 

I also questioned Tim's thoughts on my ability to bend at a certain stage and how I thought he got the timing wrong. I kept saying 12 weeks will be in a week. Basil, like Tim, thought differently - though it would seem Basil's explanation would be "better" than Tim's bad math. 

While the doctor told me 12 weeks, 12 weeks, 12 weeks - he wrote three months. I get most people think three months is 12 weeks, but it's not. Three months is longer. Let's not quibble about February, shall we? 

Instead of a week to come off my restrictions, I now have another 17 days (from today).  UGHHHH. 

Blobby would be lying if he said he wasn't a tad dejected. Perhaps more than a tad. 

My normal 45 minute appointment lasted about 85. Let me tell you, having one of the last appointments of the day makes for a rank smelling PT room. P............U.   ...and this is coming from a man with limited smelling ability. 

Anyway, after our assessment and exercises, Basil wanted to see me walk. With and without a cane. 

I have been trying not to lean on my bad leg, but it's been a challenge. So for about 15 minutes, we tried to get me to walk "correctly". 

Normally, one doesn't have to constantly think about how to walk. At this moment, I must. 

After several failed attempts, I was told - and I'm paraphrasing - to take longer strides, activate my glutes, move the trunk (torso, not ass) and to move my arms a certain way. 

"Think John Travolta at the beginning of Saturday Night Fever. You have to strut". There may have also been a descriptor of an aggressive mall walker. 

Yesterday, with the running group, I walked by myself. It's not that weren't other walkers, but my pace was faster. I was Tony Monero walking to the paint store or the disco. 

710 later said I still was slightly favouring my bad side BUT pointed out since my 1993 surgery, I've always had a slight limp. 

Maybe Basil can fix fix me, or maybe he just need to know that maybe I am fixed and anymore, the limp is my normal gait. 

Many have been pressuring me to ask about when I can start running. I'm not in that mindset. 1. If I ask, I'm bound to get an answer I don't want / won't like.  2. At this point, I'm not sure what contradictory advice I might receive. 

Bother. 

Song by: the Bee Gees

Bent

This past weekend, I walked with my running group. They run. I don't. They go farther than I, but I end up finishing the same time as some of them - depending on how far they go. 

There are some walkers in the group, but ironically their pace is slower than mine, so I end up walking by my lonesome. On Saturday and Sunday I walked three miles each day. 

Morty - being Morty - said that was impressive.......followed by a....."is your PT ok with you doing so much...?"

I love that he cares, but the honest reply was: "I guess I'll ask him on Tuesday".  Mort keeps an eye out for me. He also knows more about running injuries than I.

On Tuesday, I completed my first month (!) of outpatient physical therapy. 

The exclamation point is meant to stress that there is more to come. More than a month. Possibly more than two. Possibly through the end of the year. 

Right now it is weekly, though in reality it is daily. It's just that I see a therapist once per week, but do my exercises every stinking day. Or most. 

"They" - yes, so far there have been three different therapists - say to do my exercises three times per week, but none of them were / are that taxing. I asked if I could them daily, and I was told yes. As long as I don't hurt. 

But I do. But it is muscle pain. Not incision pain. The muscle pain is from doing PT 5-7 days per week. I get why they say three days per week. 

I did ask the Morty question. Jim (so far my fave PT) asked if I hurt doing it, or afterwards. No. He asked if I was dead tired afterwards. No.  "Then keep doing what you're doing, you're fine".   Phew. 

Jim also wanted to see my range of motion. 

In theory, I'm not allowed to bend more than 90 degrees. But there I was, on my back and he said, "without using your hands, bring your knee as far as you can to your chest".  So I do. 

"Ohhhhh......that's way more than 90 degrees!!"  He measures: it's 125.  Ditto with "the good" leg. 

He said normal is 120 on an average patient who is ambulatory. He credits my above and beyond to being in shape before the accident.  Yay me. 

I said something about the 90 degree restrictions coming off in three weeks. He goes, "four". We went back and forth on that and he said, it's been 64 days since your surgery. Divide that by 8 and you're at 8 weeks. 

Blobby wasn't thinking clearly as he was dejected by missing a week of time. After I got home, I went: "divide by 8?. There are not 8 days in a week. So I divided 64 by 7 and got to the magic nine week mark. 

Phew. 

While it's nice to know I was in shape and I'm exceeding some expectations, I know it's still a long road ahead. 

At least I think it is. 

Song by: matchbox 20

Circle Dream

I guess I'll take one step towards normalcy at a time. I suppose I don't have much of a choice. 

But it's two steps forward, one back. 

Last Friday PT said I relied too heavily on my cane and to carry it for a reminder, but not use it - or not use it so much. I took it to heart. 

Yesterday at PT, the first question was: "where is your cane?".  

Now it seems I'm favouring my bad leg and walking with a noticeable lean. So they adjusted my gait and told me to go back to a cane.  

Sigh. 

As steps forward go - I had been doing the single stair with both feet method of walking down and up the steps. Last Saturday I was halfway down the steps when I realized I was doing the one foot in front of the other method - you know, like normal people. Progress.

I can do it on the way up the stairs too, but it is more difficult and I feel it more. So depending, I might do it either way while ascending. 

Since getting my Apple Watch in March 2023 and then setting (or resetting) my exercise goals on said watch, for about 3.5 years, I closed all three rings (movement (calories), exercise (minutes) and standing) for almost 1000 days in a row. 

That came to a screeching halt on that fateful August day. I had completed the red and green portion, but blue - standing - wasn't really happening with a broken femur. 

This is where my OCD - in this regard - also came to a screeching halt. 

There was no way I was going to get a caloric goal or movement - while in the hospital or recovery. At least not without resetting my goals to next to nothing. As it was, I had to take off the watch in the ED and it went home with 710. 

I had to gol cold turkey without checking each hour - and yes, it's sad to say that is what I would normally do. 

It was freeing in another regard. 

But once 710 returned to the office, it went back on - mostly to get help if I were to fall at home and not have my phone near by. Barely any stats would come across. Maybe the stand one, but probably not to close the loop.  No way was I burning calories by sitting around reading......even if I used my finger and / or read really fast. 

Still, this last Monday I returned to work and worked out at the gym. Mind you, the gym was not a huge workout. I can't. But me getting out and moving around got the color rings to starting inching towards each other. And yes, it took me from like 05:00 to 21:58 to close all three, but I did. 

Now, I was a little happy with myself, but also knew deep down closing these consistently again is weeks if not months away  But it was on move closer to going back to how it was. 

Yay me. 

Song by: 10,000 Maniacs

So Hip it Hurts

"There he is - the man, the myth, the legend who walked down Lake Rd on a broken leg......"

....said my doctor as he came into my exam room yesterday. 

I corrected him. "For alliteration sake, I believe you mean, "the man, the myth, the moron'".

He didn't correct me. Nor should he have. 

I had my three week post-op visit with my surgeon. It went ok. Nothing completely out of the ordinary. I'm not exemplary in my recovery, nor am I a cautionary tale - except for maybe how to run. Or how not to. 

My dressing came off permanently. Yay. One less thing to worry about or to get in the way of showering at the very least. Disposable stitches will disappear on their own over time. 

He likes where I am in range of motion at this point and time, though I told him how sore I am with my latest physical therapy exercises. So he had me do some, but man they hurt. 

He went on to tell how shocked the muscles are from the fall. The impact went through the muscles, the cartilage, fascia and then bone and back out the other side of those layers. He said it will take some time to "wake up" the muscles. 

I had started to go over my surgical notes, and while I'm not squeamish, I opted to pause reading when they said something about using a "band saw".  I'm sure at some point I'll go back and read it all. Right now, there is too much PTSD for me. 

That OR must have been like an auto body shop - me up on the lift with drills, saws and whatnot working away on me. And a robot. I know some of the surgery was done robotically. 

Not that it crossed my mind or worried me, but after taking out the nine screws they did do pathology on them. It never occurred to me why. Since they had them, they looked for any sign of cancer that might have returned. It has not. All clear. 

We didn't even bother talking the future that wasn't my next visit. Three weeks before I can drive. Three weeks before I can give up the walker. Three weeks before I can work. Three weeks before I can start outpatient physical therapy. Then another three months of that - and still limited movement until December. 

Most likely at beginning of next month I will move to a cane, but only for a short while. The cane doesn't make me look nearly as addled as a walker. At least I don't have tennis balls on the walker.............yet. 

Today is my last home PT. I'll still do exercises twice per day until outpatient starts. I move better than I did. I ache less than I did. There is still weird transitions on the stairs from walker to crutch and back. 

I do reflect back on how worse this all could have all been. While I'm 97% sure I didn't lose consciousness, it could have been easy to do - along with a concussion and losing some teeth. It's the silver lining, I guess. The idea of oral surgery is much worse to me than a new hip. 

So........progress, I guess. 710 loves how far I've come, but I feel he's just placating me to a degree. He's trying to keep my spirits up - and for that it's appreciated. I'm not saying it's doing the job, but I recognize the effort. 

Honestly, this first three weeks have kind of wizzed by. I'm hoping the next three do as well. 

Song by: ABC

Black Ice

As I inferred on my 12 of 12, I did indeed fall on black ice after running. 

I was first one done with the run and I was doing walking laps in the parking lot. 

This poor young woman - first time running with us - came running into the parking lot and right onto the black ice. I didn't see her fall...........but I heard it. 

It was after I helped her up and then went to continue my walk.... then I just went down. 

I didn't hurt myself - not really. Now at the doctor's office when they ask if I've fallen in the last 6 months, I have to go back to saying "yes".  

The following day I was sore-ish, but I told my PT two days later and she had me do exercises to help with what was hurting - kind of by hurting me more. 

Overall, I am better in terms of range of motion and strength. She could discharge me, but she's going further to find and fix what may have given me the fracture in the first place. As even I guessed months ago, it is probably my gait. 

It seems my right hip comes up to high, leaving a harder impact on my left when I land.  How I change the gait is yet to be seen. I have no great frame of reference on how I look or feel when I run.  Heel strike?  Mid foot? Different for different feet?  I have no idea if I'm doing it wrong and even if given direction, will I feel it if I'm doing it correctly. 

Mentally, it's been humbling. Not knowing has made me not want to run - always questioning what I am or am not doing. 

I cannot commit to any race because I am too worried about reinjury - and prices are going up. 

Bother. 

Song by: Peter Frampton

Needles and Pins

I'm still in physical therapy. 

I gotta say, at first, I didn't like my the-rapist, but she's done a good job over the weeks. 

Mind you, I don't understand how some of the things we are doing are getting me better, but she claims that they are. 

Not all I do in therapy is transferable to the gym, but she claims it is not necessary. But a lot of what I do in PT, I rotate into my gym routine. 

On the plus side, as of Tuesday, I've been able to move from bike to elliptical. It's not that I'm unfamiliar with it, but it kind of simulates a walk / run motion which I was unable to do without pain. So I did 5 minutes for a warm-up at PT two days ago, and then 35 minutes yesterday. So far so good. 

She retested my range of motion and my strength with my hip too. Both are much better. I'm glad she sees that, because I'm not feeling it. Perhaps I feel over cautious. She has cleared me to do a run on xmas eve. 

Part of my issue now is not my hip, but my IT band down the outside of my left leg, just below the hip injury. So, along with a roller and PT, my the-rapist is doing dry needling. 

Needles don't bug me in the slightest. I'm just hoping it works. 

Right now, I only have three sessions left. Possibly four, though she thinks she'll be able to discharge me from therapy in early January. Which I suppose is good - as I can start marathon (or half) training at the end of that month. 

I have not run with any regularity since August 29th...............but who's counting? 

Song by: the Searchers

Frustrated

Physical Therapy has begun. 

Maybe I should be thrilled. Right now, I'm not. 

The start wasn't great. I'll set the scene. 

I had a 06:45 time. It was 36°F and pouring rain. 

Not one of the staff was on-site. None. When I finally got in, it was news news news news news in the lobby and I can't turn off their tv and the shit about Matt Gaetz for Attorney General. 

JFC. I just about lost it the evening before when 710 told me that Gaetz tidbit. By the time I got back to my actual therapy evaluation, I just felt defeated before we even started. And it's always fun to check the boxes on your medical history form about depression and anxiety. Honestly, I doubt they even look at them, and if so, how would that even alter my PT?

I was frustrated before this was even scheduled. I know enough and my doc knows enough that PT was on the horizon. I didn't ask. He didn't say.............until I was on my cane. Then he said I should schedule it. That took almost five weeks to get in anywhere. Had it been told when I went on crutches, I could have scheduled it five weeks out, when I came off them.  So, I feel I'm already behind by almost a month.

Anyhooo...... at this appointment we talked about my injury. Clearly, the the-rapist didn't read ahead, so had no idea what I was doing there, why, or when anything occurred.  

"Where exactly is the fracture?".  Exactly?  How the fuck would I know??  I showed her the general area and told her she could look at the image on my electronic record for specifics. A patient should not have to direct a caregiver's work. 

All the exercises she gave me - six in all - I already had been doing prior to the injury. Granted, they had been too painful to do for a while, but I can get back to them. Since I never stopped doing them during my training, this does not give me confidence in the possibility of recurrence. 

We barely talked about running. She asked if I ever had a gait analysis. 

I did tell her no, but also that it was part of the referral from my ortho doc for PT to give me one. I just saw her blink several times with zero verbal response. 

As this was the eval process, I felt it unwise and unnecessary to ask when I could start running - though I am signed up for two races - even if I walk. 

PT is so busy. This practice was my FIFTH choice. The others couldn't get me in until December of after. Even at weekly sessions, I only see this therapist twice. The rest will be with others, which might suit me better. She did not wow me. I was not waiting weeks between sessions to just see her. That is not worth my while. 

While I know it is the road to recovery, I'm frustrated by not running and I'm frustrated by this seemingly shoddy endeavour. 

Short story:  I'm frustrated. 

Song by: the Knack

Hurts So Good

I suppose there are benefits to running, besides keeping the Physical Therapy industry afloat. 

There are times I really enjoy it - and not always after the fact, but during. There is still a point in most runs where I ask myself, "what the fuck are you doing" or worse, telling myself "you can't do this".  

Yesterday was one of those days. 

We ran through the metro park in which I injured myself four weeks ago, extending my PT stay. At this point, I just have a standing appointment every Friday at 07:00. I might just keep it forever. 

I grew up in these metro parks. We take Shep there for hikes. But I see them very differently now. 

From where we start it's all hill.  Up, that is. The first two miles +.  Each time you round a bend, you just see more hill. And these are not gradual inclines. Oh, they are for your car, but not your calves or hamstrings. As physically challenging as it is, mentally - for me - it's worse. 

I have yet to avoid the psych out. 

Granted, I DO get up the hill. It's a slower grind for sure, and if I have to stop, it's usually at the top where there finally is some flat(ter) terrain. That's just to catch my breath, for 10-20 seconds and I'm off again. 

This last run was a timed one. 80 minutes. My physical the rapist and I are working me back up, so I turned around at the three mile mark, knowing I had three more to do just to get back. As six miles doesn't take me 80 minutes, I was the first one back.  Yay me!!!!  WINNER!

But I stuck around for the others. You know, the ones who don't really acknowledge my presence. That said, before the run, one of the coaches addressed me (by name!) and asked how the knee was doing and gave me some guidance. 

While I didn't get to know anyone, I did chat with a handful about running in general. Honestly, what I was waiting for was the sport massage therapist to set up.  That was benefit of running today - to get to utilize him for free.   Well, that and someone made muffins from peanut butter, whey protein and chocolate chips.  They were good, if not a little sticky. 

Anyhoo.......the guy in the pic and the very snug bicycle shorts (which doesn't seem right for running - and I know he ran) is Zach. Honestly, his looks were second on my thoughts about him. I was there for the 'massage'.   ....but he wasn't hard on the eyes, though I could have done without his two crucifix tatts. 

Now, let's be honest, there was not really going to be a full on massage - outside at 46 degrees with 20 mph winds, with people standing around watching. That said, in those very same woods at that very same park, at a much younger age, I did more than get a massage and in a lot colder temps.   ....and probably with people standing around watching. 

But this is 59 year old me, not 19 year old me. And by 19, I mean 17*.  Don't judge. When I go to my knees now, things creak and hurt. And it's usually for something I dropped and have to pick up. 

Zach axed questions, and was bummed to hear about two different bursa areas.  He found pressure points that while hurt, it - and say it with me - hurts so good. Like the PT and the PA, he too said my hamstrings were might taut. But he gave me some exercises to try, on top of what the PT has given me. 

I'm assuming they can do no harm. 

If I want him to hurt me more, I now have his card. But it'll cost me. 

WORTH IT!

*and by 17 I might mean 16. and by 'might' mean 'do'. 

Song by: John Mellencamp

Everybody Hurts

It's a set back. Hopefully a small one. 

A day after my seemingly great Saturday / 12º run I felt a bigger twinge in my left hip more than I had in the past. It was a problem with the Tuesday run where I said I failed miserably. Yes, some was due to not finding my breath, but the pain was there too. 

I have not run since then. 

I'll rephrase. I can't.  I've tried, but it hurts. 

Good / Bad News scenarios. 

Good News:  I saw this coming and got out ahead of it. For two weeks, I used YouTube exercises from physical therapy sites. But when that wasn't enough,  I called my orthopod and he got me into PT without even making me come out to see him. He's a mensch.  

Bad News:  it would take PT 3+ weeks to work me in.  The doc said "nooooooooo.......", 

Good News: so I found another location that was not convenient, but who could get me in. I got in Friday and maybe I'm on the road to recovery. 

Bad News is: I stumped the poor Physical The Rapist. 

As she took me back for my assessment, she clearly had to notice I was favouring a side (she did). We did a few things to assess my pain - balance on my left foot and hop 5 times.  I hopped once and said 'nope', we're dong with that.  Ouchie!!!!

Then she manipulated the fuck out of me in every position. Most of the time, I had no pain. Which is where I stumped her. Places / things / times of what she was doing, we both thought I'd say "ouchie", but they were few and far between. 

I'm not 100% sure she knows, but she did limit it to muscular and not joint pain. 

I think (?) that falls in the "Good News" section?

I have 59 year old joints. I don't want new ones that are manufactured in some hell hole a like Terre Haute factory that is owned by a faceless corporation who also makes bio-hazard materials, dry cleaning chemicals and chicken processing plant.  .....at least I don't want them yet.  And I don't want them now!

She says it is my IT bands at the hip.  And my hamstrings are SUPER tight. And my glutes are not.  In running, it should be the other way around - and it's not. So we have some stretches and training to do to get me reverse engineer this. Apparently it's all in the clench for the glutes, which I now do anytime I think about it. 

I have a 59 year old gay ass. Clenching the butt is counterintuitive................except near the end. So, now I gotta go relearn all that. 

So, for the next four weeks, I'll be seeing the rapist.  I am hoping to be pain free enough to run with the group next Saturday. I know I'll be skipping this upcoming Tuesday, but I'm not liking this. At all. 

I already feel like I'm behind but you know, I literally cannot run today, so I have to suck it up and make the most of it. I don't know what that means or how to achieve that, but............maybe I'll figger it out. 

I'm thinking Cortisone injections. I wonder what my doc would think of that. 

Song by:  R.E.M.

How to be Strong

Last Friday I had yet another physical therapy appointment for my shoulder.

I should be farther along with my treatment, but even though I said I would be compliant with my work, I haven't been.  Not religiously.

It's vicious cycle - it makes me sore to do it, but I'm sore in a different way if I don't.

There are great signs of improvement though - the therapist says my strength is almost back to normal.  I'm not sure how he knows this since he never saw me when I was normal, but I'm sure there are benchmarks to go against.

My range of motion is better too. Not all there, but I don't expect it to be.  I'm old.

I'm feeling the PT too.  I'm working with only 1-8 pound weights, but I'm feeling it as if I were lifting 45.  I. Am. Sore.

Part is just lack of me being able to go to a weight room, though I suppose I can go - but would I look foolish lifting 1-8 pound weights.  I always seemed to be on the weaker side of that room when I was lifting 45-60.  Now I'd just look like a 98 lb weakling.

As it is, I'm not sure I'll be doing any more benching, no squats or nothing that raises weight over my head - or that works my shoulder in that upward way.

I can now go back to curls, so that's something. I feel like my arms have gotten so flabby and no longer defined. I hate that.

Yes, I'm vain - I totally get that.  But when you cringe in pain as you try to reach your back to wash it in the shower, your priorities change a little - until you see yourself in the mirror.  Then vanity is staring you right back.

Or it is stating back at me.  I'm shallow.  I get it.

It sounds like one or two more appointments and I'll be discharged and the next one isn't even for another month - so I'll try to be more diligent about the therapy I'm supposed to do at home.

Honestly, I'd be ok with the shoulder no longer hurting just so I can do better at yoga.



Song by:  Rosanne Cash

More Than Physical

I started physical therapy yesterday.   ...for my shoulder.  Not my foot - though right now I'm wondering if that should have been the priority.

Grass. Greener.  You know the drill.

Well, one thing at a time, and right now it is Mr. Left Shoulder.

Not 100% PT will work. The tendon that is running under the shoulder is frayed a bit - or so it is suspected.

I have exercises for strengthening and to improve my range-of-motion.  By the way - "strengthening" means using a 3lb weight.  I also have bands to use three times a day. The weight and the bands can easily go in my travel case so I can work out in the hotel room.

With PT,  I'm nothing if not compliant.  I don't want to be there.

It is unknown if I can go back to lifting. No time soon - at least not certain lifts. I can probably do some curls.  Not curlers.  I thought I'd just cut all you off at the pass on that "joke".    If the sessions don't work, injections might be required.  The thought of a needle going in my shoulder area makes me wince.

My therapist isn't as cute as my last one.  He's nice and all and barely hurt me, but he is no Adam.  Adam no longer works there.  Oh well.

After PT, I went to do holiday things. Kind of.

Cleveburgh is getting hit by their first measurable snow in 290 days !!!!   I know, it seems a lifetime (and almost a record), but we had such a mild winter last year.

The winds were wicked as were the freeways.  I totally lost control of my car and am completely amazed I did not hit anyone or end up in a ditch.  I wasn't speeding, just hit a bad patch of snow or ice and that was that.  Then I would have really needed PT.

So, one day into actual Winter and we are in it.  Original forecast was for 6-15" of snow, but it's looking more like 4.   ....and potentially friends on the way up to see us for a day.  I'm excited.

I hope they are.





Song by:  Bananarama

the Weight

At first I was going to say I haven't been forthcoming, but that's not quite true. I have not quite lied either.

My gym time is down to zero and has been for a few months.

Part has clearly been my lack of time spent in town, as I have been on the road constantly. Part has to do with Petey - that I'm not up and out as early when it comes to walks, breakfast and belly rubs for him. He makes me want to stay at home.

Part still has to do with my impingement syndrome and my tendinitis.

I fully cop to the fact that I've done nothing about either.

That said, I'm still doing yoga, both on Sundays and in my hotel rooms, and am adding Saturday to the mix this upcoming weekend.  But without doing cardio and weightlifting, my maladies have not hurt me all that much. I tend to forget about them.

As for that Saturday yoga, David and I were late for it last week, so we went to his gym to workout. 13 minutes into my cardio and I knew I was fucked. All the pain I had not been experiencing the last few months in my left foot was back with a vengeance.  David offered to let me stop, but by then I had six minutes to finish my routine.

Then it was on to weights.  Ouch.

Yeah, all that I had pain I didn't have (well, for the most part) was back.  ....and four days later I'm still in pain, so I'm at least tackling one problem: my shoulder.

Yes, I start physical therapy on Friday. Hopefully I can regain my mobility and get to a place where I can lift again.

After that, I'll focus on the foot.  The custom orthodics I was supposed to get turned out not to be covered by insurance and was to set me back $600.  Of course, now I'm thinking I should have shelled out for it. Maybe after the first of the year.

BUT - do you want to know the joke of only doing yoga?   Do ya?

I currently weigh less than I have in almost two decades.  I did a weigh-in at a client site, fully dressed and with steel toed shoes on.  I was 182.  About 18 months ago I was 183.5 - and that was nekkid and I was working out 4-5 times a week.

The key is, don't work out and eat like crap and lose weight.  Ok, I don't seem to have a much muscle as I once had and that I was working towards, but maybe with my new found weight, I can build on that and just be more defined, or seemingly more defined.

That's what I'm going to work off of - right after I finish PT.


Song by:  the Band

Cold Shoulder

I know I've whined about my old aching body in the past - and actually this isn't new.

I recall mentioning my painful left shoulder in posts about my gym workouts over the last 2-3 years.

Since I am a guy, I just figured I'd power through the pain, but after 36 months, I finally arrived at the fact that it might not be going away. Especially since a few weeks ago, I couldn't even raise my arm 30 degrees, let alone get it over my head.

I don't get it - some days I can lift a 50lb dumbbell and others I can't get a gallon of milk out of the refrig. Or hold a Warrior 2 pose in yoga without thinking I can't keep my arms up any longer.

I had myself convinced my rotator cuff had a tear. The stories I've heard of surgery are harrowing, but I've also heard of just physical therapy and / or cortisone injections. I had finally had enough and saw an orthopedic doc - a non-surgeon, as I didn't want them springing to the chance to cut.

As it turns out, I lucked out. No tear in the rotator. Bonus!

But I do have something called "impingement syndrome" which could be a precursor if not worked on. Now I have a prescription for physical therapy. Now I need to make and keep the appointments. Normally that is not a problem, except for the next three weeks I'm barely at home.

One of the odder things is the ortho doc and going though my issue.  First, he told me not to sleep on the arm, which is the side I sleep on. "Don't do it", says he, but it's hard to undo a lifetime behaviour, no?

The other one was when asking about lifting. "Why do you want to lift that kind of weight anyway?".

Now, this is a good looking doc and many ortho docs are ex-jocks (not to stereotype), but the question stymied me. I had no response that didn't make me out to sound like a vain douche. So while all answers formulated in my head, too much time had passed for me to actually answer - though maybe it was meant to be rhetorical. He moved on.

So, now we'll see what PT has to say.  I won't be seeing my old physical therapist, Adam. I'll be heading down to the JCC to get it done. They have a good PT program, but here is hoping they can help me - you know, sometime in November when I have availability.

Oh yeah, I like how you can see my lung under my rib cage. Cool.


Song by:  Garth Brooks

Lay Your Hands On Me

Physical Therapy is going fine - thank you for asking.

I'm into my second week and things are better, but I still have some pain or at least tightness. Adam, my big-nosed therapist, has been working one-on-one with me to get me back to "normal".

We are incorporating some yoga moves into my back stretching. Basically we're doing Cobra, and it seems to be working, along with the other few I've been doing. He had me walk on a treadmill for a bit too to see how that goes and so far so good.

I won't say Adam gave me a massage, but I did have to lay face down on one of those benches you see up top and he basically palpated my back and continues to apply more and more pressure to see if it caused any pain. It did not.

"But what nice strong hands you have, grandma...." Oh wait, that's a different story, though he was wearing red, as you can see.


Ok, it might not have been horribly ethical to take pictures of my therapist, let alone post them here, but......

Would you take a look at that schnoz? Isn't it beautiful. ....no, I'm not joking.

The pictures don't really represent well. He is better looking than this, and he's got a great smile. And then there are those strong hands. I'm ignoring that wedding ring - his and mine.


Song by: Thompson Twins