I Will Be Back!
I know many of you have seen me recently and asked, “What happened?” You noticed my visible limp!
Seems, through a series of unfortunate events, I injured myself and really did a number, and it has greatly impacted our lives. It happened last month, just after the head-on collision with that truck that things really changed. We were okay, but Nick’s Honda NSX took the brunt of a truck being launched over the top of us after it had hit the front of us; a very surreal moment.
The next day, with jangled nerves, we decided a good, hearty workout would do us good. We decided to use a local gym to try something different. Great, just what we needed, or so we thought. We did some bent over rows freestyle-no machines. We loaded up the bar; I took my stance, and did three sets of 15 reps. Hmmm, that felt real strong in the knees. Since we had the bar loaded and on the floor, we decided to do a couple of dead lifts. I haven’t done these in probably two years or more, in fact, not since we did competitions. One, two, three sets of two, they were heavy, and my knees felt very strange.
Later that week, I was installing a new concrete sidewalk next to the house. I was on my knees on a hard surface for about three hours, and I didn’t wear any knee protection during this project. Well, duh! When I tried standing up, the right knee gave out. Just an occupational hazard I guessed—it will go away, as always. Not so, the next day it was rough; just getting out of bed was a chore. Yikes! What’s going on?
The work that day with my clientele was difficult. The right knee was really aggravated and sore. The following day, I had to cancel all appointments but thought I could beat this thing. I elevated the right leg and iced in intervals. It kind of felt better, but not really. The next two days I was able to work, but by the end of that week, it was definitely sore. A client suggested I get an X-ray and imagining to find out what is going on. The first three X-ray’s revealed nothing; they were “inconclusive.” Next, an MRI was suggested, and sure enough, my right knee is in sad shape. I have a shattered (not torn) meniscus. When I do something, I do it all the way, and my knee is no exception. Diagnosis: operating is a 50/50 proposition that it will improve; therapy is another option. Maybe a knee replacement is an option, everyone seems to be getting them these day…Uh NO, they don’t do knee replacements on people who are in their fifties!
So, therapy it is! Rest, ice, compressions, and Nick’s rolfing have made a big impact. The doctor told me it could take weeks, months, or even years to get back to some sort of normalcy and usage. In just the past weeks, I have noticed a difference, however—a gradual improvement. Our chiropractor says to keep doing what we are doing. Of course, I am very fortunate to have a doctor in the house. My hubby knows his stuff, and I credit him with the progress in my recovery so far. Before you know it, I should be back to somewhat a sense of normalcy, hopefully sooner, rather than later.
One question for those of you out there, do they allow Segways on the beach? I may need one for a while. So for now, no leg workouts, at least not yet! Like I said, “I will be back.”
Rick Moore is a personal trainer certified by the American Fitness Professionals & Associates.