Looking for people who have returned to athletic activities post-op

[mabeckoff]

Karen

I knew you wanted some pics of my trip hiking in Utah, so here are some of them. I’m posting from Bryce Canyon NP, they have internet here! Ive been using a motorcycle to get around, I hang it on the back of the RV. I also met with Nan in Park City, it was a great visit!

They have great bird watching out here! lol

More to come, I'm not done and the best is yet to come.

Ed

Ed, You are a inspiration to me .I hope that someday I will be able to visit these parks.
Melissa

[titaniumed]

Ed, You are a inspiration to me .I hope that someday I will be able to visit these parks.
Melissa

I’m glad to post these sorts of things....put it on your list. It’s a shame to grow up in the US and not visit our National Parks. People travel from all over the world to visit special places like these. In a nutshell, it’s the “Edward Abbey” coming out in me, even if only a few weeks a year....

These are great places to reflect, breathe deep, and think about things. Even if hiking involves pain, you can easily mask this, and push your thoughts past. It is something that’s of great value in surgical recovery, something I know I needed to do and still do.

These are healing wonderlands. Natures rehabilitation hospitals.

Well, its time for more re-hab. Gotta go. (smiley face)
Ed

[mabeckoff]

I’m glad to post these sorts of things....put it on your list. It’s a shame to grow up in the US and not visit our National Parks. People travel from all over the world to visit special places like these. In a nutshell, it’s the “Edward Abbey” coming out in me, even if only a few weeks a year....

These are great places to reflect, breathe deep, and think about things. Even if hiking involves pain, you can easily mask this, and push your thoughts past. It is something that’s of great value in surgical recovery, something I know I needed to do and still do.

These are healing wonderlands. Natures rehabilitation hospitals.

Well, its time for more re-hab. Gotta go. (smiley face)
Ed

I have been to several National Parks in the West; such as Bryce,Zion, Grand Canyon, Canyon lands, Mount Rushmore. On the East Coast, I have been to some as well, such as Shenandoah, Smoky Mts, Seashore .

I just don't know if I will ever get to seeing the new ones so close to where I live now. I am in either in pain or so tired from the fibro that I can't get out of bed. Such is my life, I guess

[titaniumed]

I just don't know if I will ever get to seeing the new ones so close to where I live now. I am in either in pain or so tired from the fibro that I can't get out of bed. Such is my life, I guess

You will someday, count on it. With the amount of surgeries that you have had, I’m not surprised that you are tired. I battled fatigue for 2 years after my scoli, arm, and gall bladder surgeries. The body is extremely complex and sensitive to any and everything.

There has to be a point when your surgical intervention will cease. Only after this happens, and you fully heal, we will expect a Yosemite or Redwoods report from you!

Here are todays pics from Bryce Cyn. This is wall street from the top and bottom, and me in the middle.
Ed

[golfnut]

Thanks, Ed. The pictures are beautiful.

[titaniumed]

Angel's landing

Another trip report.
Just came back from a little stroll in the park. Zion National park has this trail.....its called Angel’s landing.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angels_Landing


I did this hike with 40# on my back and its pretty much straight up all the way. The trail at one point has 1400 foot sheer walls on each side so balance is truly needed. No mistakes allowed on this one folks. The pics will explain quite a bit...it was freaky high. Higher than the World Trade Center.

Possible with a full fusion? You betcha!

Ed

[titaniumed]

Almost forgot.

[golfnut]

These pictures are amazing. You have to be in great shape and a bit of a daredevil, as well!

[Irina]

These pictures are stunning. Thank you, Ed, for sharing.

[Doreen1]

Archery Postop

Hi Karen,

Thank you for asking me to share my new sport story here. My daughter has been shooting archery for 2.5 years and started competing this year. Over the years, her coaches have encouraged me to shoot too, but I was always declined because of being in too much pain preop. It hit me at one of my daughter's recent tourneys, "Hmmm, I wonder if I can do this?" After speaking with Dr. Lenke and his PT they cleared me to do archery only if I train with someone who is aware of my limitations and if I do exactly what a coach teaching me. I've never done archery in my life, until now.

My daughter's coach has never trained anyone with a disability. I learned through the grapevine that there is a local female Paralympic archer, Lee Ford, who happens to train with a coach in the town next to me! I met with Lee's coach to determine if I had the physical capabilities to hold a bow and draw the string. He explained that he normally only works with athletes who are heading to the Olympics/Paralympics but he is willing to train me for competitions after I learn the basics with my daughter's coach (both coaches know each other very well). My daughter's coach is extremely helpful and is always reminding me to stop if I get too tired.

I'm shooting a recurve bow with a super light draw weight of #15. Since it is my goal to compete as a disabled archer, I need to work my way up to a 40# draw weight on a compound bow. It has been such an incredible experience having a team of people helping me learn something new! In the process, I hope to rebuild the muscle that atrophied between my shoulder blades.

Here is a pic of my first archery lesson. http://bit.ly/SNiJdW I actually shot three arrows in the gold and won a little contest the class was having.

Warmly,
Doreen

[LSKOCH5]

Hey Karen & Ed -
Just got back from Steamboat for Christmas - Dr Cronen approved Jacob to ski, so that was what we did for Christmas/birthday presents! Started on greens, then were back into blues w no prob. Altogether he did amazingly well - tho he absolutely scared 10 years off my life - he accidentally caught 5+ feet of air & landed on his back. Amazingly he shook it off & was ok - thank God. Scary stuff, but shows how strong the fused back is. Also survived & thrived marching band season as 1st Bass, hopefully center snare next year, then quads. Hope you're both doing exceptionally well - thanks for all your support!

[golfnut]

Way to go, Jacob! I can't imagine how terrified you were when he fell on his back. I'm glad he's doing so well!

[titaniumed]

Steamboat! Been there.....Champagne powder, Aspen trees, and the St Patty’s day bash...(A thing of the past, the town couldn’t handle it anymore.......he he)

The stunt he pulled is called a “ruptured duck”. It happens to the best of us, I did one that was 75 feet once at A-Basin, and I’m still here! When you are there, you do come to the conclusion that you are completely out of control.....its a reality check, and the brain kicks in with thoughts of how to deal with the embarrassment of the situation. (smiley face) For Jacob, this was the main thought, not the back.

I’m sure he loved going skiing, a needed break from all he went through with the surgery and all.

How is he doing with the back anyway? I could imagine he is doing quite well.....

Ed

[LSKOCH5]

So you're the crazy guy they were all talking about at Slopeside -JK! You are quite an inspiration & I've loved seeing your pics & reading your adventures. We live for exploring & hiking this gorgeous nation of ours! Turns out that the bottom of one of Jacob's rods is no longer attached to the screw, so we go back in 4 months to make sure no further movement. Fairly certain it was that "duck" but could have been another time he tripped & fell on an instrument. No pain down there so it's w positive expectations of he's fused already & doesn't need the rod there, w youth on his side. Jacob was completely freaked out about it but is on board w dr & us now. Thanks for asking, Happy New Year & keep up the photos! Congrats to Doreen on your new skills & sport as well! And Karen - how's the golfing?

[golfnut]

LeighAnn,
The golf game is better than I ever expected, but on hold now due to snow on the ground. I played a couple of times earlier in December. John and I were laughing the other day. When I got permission to take a full swing after my 1 year check up last January, we had a morning of freezing rain. As soon as it stopped, I went outside in about 25 degree weather and put some balls on the frozen blades of grass and practiced hitting across the street just to see if it was possible to turn and make contact with the ball. As you can tell, my user name is appropriate.
Let me know what the Dr. says about the loose screw.