Achilles Heal...the remix

[goosecreekguy]

I ruptured an Achilles around the New Year, the doctors chose not to repair it with surgery but rather cast it. There was a bit of indecisiveness on the part of the first doctor that looked at it, but consent with two fellow doctors they were sure this was the best treatment. The cast came off Feb. 22nd, and I was put in a "boot" and given instructions on exercises, and scheduled a follow-up for March 13th. Last Sunday, when doing the exercises, I felt a "snap" and that old familiar pain that helped me bring in 2010 returned.

Today the head of UK's Ortho said a much more intensive, costlier and riskier procedure is necessary to repair the damage that had been done over the past two months. Getting sliced from my heel to about two inches below the back of my knee. Apparently the latest MRI revealed that NO healing had taken place, the same 2 inch gap remains and what they said was scar tissue when the cast came off was really a few strands of tissue and a fluid pocket. Without directly saying it, the guy told me the other doctor didn't really know enough about what he was doing to do it.

I was scheduled to complete student teaching, but now I have to take the entire semester off. Won't be able to open up the boat dock that I help run next weekend like I had planned...likely won't be able to get the shop opened up and back on track for awhile. Sawbones told me that, barring no complications, I will be able to walk with a boot in July, but no running/hiking this year and perhaps longer. I play in several basketball leagues, but he said no more dunking for me in all likelihood. The absolute worst part of the deal is I was supposed to get my first shot at fishing (as a co-anger, I only have a little 2 man bass buddy to fish out of) in a bass club and in the BFL this year, and even worse I won't be fishing at all for awhile. Losing my athleticism hurts my pride, but not getting to wet my line on a few honey holes hurts my heart.

This could have been avoided with the right call from the doctor back around New Year's. I had a bad feeling then in my gut, but I went with what they told me.

All this said....we are blessed to live in a nation where we can be treated for these injuries. I am blessed for the health that I have, and for the love, support and help my parents and my girlfriend have shown me through this. Five years ago there is NO way I could've found the silver lining on a grey cloud...but hearing about guys like Elwood and just opening my eyes and looking around at UK and watching the news in the lobby about Haiti, Chile, Iraq and beyond is enough to keep me counting my blessings. I hope whoever stuck with this blog-like post long enough to read this takes the time to be thankful for what they have and gives their prayers to the millions around the world that need them.

[Tyme2fish]

A good healthy attitude is 90% of the battle. Good luck to you.

[DJD]

Yeah there are always people who have it tougher than us and I agree with Tyme your attitude sounds great. So you were dunking huh? How big a ol boy are ya??

[goosecreekguy]

Yeah there are always people who have it tougher than us and I agree with Tyme your attitude sounds great. So you were dunking huh? How big a ol boy are ya??

Thanks DJD and Tyme, much appreciated.

"how big a ol boy are ya?"....reminds me of the fella on Bob and Tom...funny stuff. I'm around 6-4 right now, but tomorrow they'll be cutting me from behind my knee down to my heel, so I may be quite abit shorter by Wednesday, lol. Especially considering the surgery is at 7a.m....I hope Sawbones has steadier hands than me that early in the morning.

If all goes well I'll be home by Wednesday (still standing at 6-4), FISHING by mid-April, back at the boat dock working in May, walking on my own by July, teaching by August, running by January and maybe even shooting some hoops again by my 30th B-day on March 13, 2011.

Keep your lines tight fellas...