The MS 150 was pretty fun. Contrary to my original plan to do 70 on day 1 and 57 on day 2- I got talked into 100 on day 1. That worked out well because day 2 was rained out. But, it was pretty cool after all I have been thru to be able to accomplish a century ride on my first organized bike event! I felt fine afterward- largely just stiff, but not in pain. I now have to find something more challenging to work toward. I signed up for a very hilly ride in two weeks- not as far- but I’m betting it will be somewhat more difficult due to the hills. Next appointment is in about 6 weeks- with a possible MRI. Looking toward other events in the fall- I will keep updating. Right now feeling pretty hopeful. Still dreaming of going on a run….especially since I am sponsoring a run next month for charity but I can’t actually run it!
MS150 (127 really) here I come!
2 OctWell I a still improving- but not normal. Went to the doctor about three weeks ago- he said that the weakness I am feeling in my knee is as a result of quadriceps tendonopathy…. What???? Well apparently the quad was so atrophied that my tendon connecting the quad to the knee was over strained. He wants me to continue building my quad back up in hopes that it will resolve itself. If not – then an MRI in December and possible plasma rich therapy. I am hopeful that it will fix itself. I am biking 70+ miles per week and my quad does seem to be getting stronger. I can’t run but biking really does not bother it. No swelling or pain just stiff. In 10 days ill do a two day charity bike ride- 70 miles day one and 57 day two- I do not expect any trouble – I unless I get hit by a car 😦 The biking has given me something ago focus on- I’m still hoping some day this year to go for a run….
1 Year and almost 5 months post surgery
10 AugSo as I approach the one year and five month mark it occurs to me that I have made a lot of progress, but I did not heal the way I had it in my head before surgery. I thought I would hop on the treadmill at the one year mark and would be doing 10 Ks within no time. I still am not running. Other than a few five minute stints on the treadmill I have not really tried to run, as I figured the longer I wait the better my chances of not messing things up. On the up side, I have refocused all that running energy into biking. Finally broke down and got a real road bike – joined a group and did my first group ride today. 37.5 miles in a bout 2 1/2 hours. Not bad for a gimp. I am going to keep focusing on the MS 150 for the next two months and then turn back to worrying about running. I’m liking cycling more now that I have a good bike. My doctor told me that the hardening process takes a long time — I guess he was not kidding…. Would I do it again? Probably… For those of you out there who are not as far along — it does get better!
One Year 3 Months Post Surgery
24 JunWell, I am continuing to improve. Went on a 25 mile bike ride yesterday. Was not sore or swollen afterward. Really it felt a little stiff, but that was it. The bike ride took about 2 hours and 25 minutes – which is not great, but given the rough terrain of some of the trails and the traffic getting to the park, not too bad. Biking is o.k. I have signed up to do the MS 150 in October to try to get thru the marathon season without feeling too depressed. I am used to training all summer and fall for a November or December marathon. This will give me something that simulates that training routine. The ride will be 70 Miles the first day and 57 Miles the second. I am training to get up to 60 miles between now and then. Still hoping to be running again someday… We shall see. But – I have to say I am pretty happy to be able to bike for 25 miles without pain or swelling. That has to be a good sign!
1 Year 2 Mos. Post Op
30 MayWell, I’m about 2 1/2 months past the one year mark. I have been doing a lot of cycling – which I enjoy but do not love. I have done about 1/4 mile run on the treadmill, which was awkward but not painful. I will try again in another month. I am so paranoid about screwing things up, if I feel the slightest twinge I stop. As my confidence builds up hopefully I will be able to feel more normal. I still have problems with stairs – (especially while wearing heels…). I continue to hope for more improvement and I do notice more muscle strength — ever so slowly! I may be too old to run again by the time my knee is ready… 🙂
STILL IMPROVING – 1 YEAR 1 MONTH
8 AprWell, I am about one year one month post op. My knee is feeling pretty good. Still feels “not normal” on stairs, but I can go up without using the railing (with some effort). I did a 15 mile bike ride over the weekend in a pretty hilly area and did not experience any pain, stiffness or swelling afterward. Thinking about doing a 30 mile charity ride in a month to see how I like doing bike races. I do not like biking nearly as much as I did running, but I figure it has got to be good for the knee and surrounding muscles and it gets me outside. I broke down and bought the padded bicyle shorts – because – well – biking gives me a sore butt… Definitely not as cool as my running gear, as they make it appear as though you are wearing a diaper under your too tight shorts! I am still hoping that I will at some point return to running, just not sure when that will be. My doc says that the new STAR study shows continued hardening of the area for 5 years… Ughh – I’ll be too old to start running if it takes that long. Hope all of those out there that commented on having surgery soon are hanging in there!
MINOR VICTORY – 1 YEAR 1 WEEK POST OP
22 MarWell – I’m past that 1 year mark and now just gauging my knee strength to determine when I might try running again. I do not feel like I should try just yet – I certainly do not want to mess up my knee after all of this. I did however have a minor break thru yesterday, in that I was able to stand up to pedel while out on a quick 7 mile bike ride last night. I was actually forced to stand up due to a foot cramp, and then just kept peddling. This is something that I absoultely could not do previously, as the knee did not feel strong enough. Sounds like a minor deal, but if you remember being a kid on a bike and trying to get up a hill –standing up on your bike is pretty useful. Stairs continue to improve but are not quite there yet. I stopped doing stair climbing exercises because my surgeon said to stop. I did notice an improvement on how my knee felt after stopping these exercises. Apparently something about the placement of the graft that puts a lot of pressure on that exact spot when using stairs. I wish I had a PT person who I could consult with about such things. But – once that prescription runs out your on your own…. Did some traveling over spring break – walked several miles a day – no real problems other than some slight soreness on the final day. So – for now things are looking up. Doctor says that graft failures after the one year mark are very rare (he has only seen one and he has done 100’s of these procedures). Keep smiling!
I’m a nut job
4 MarIt’s official- I’m an idiot. So I spent five days in full freak put mode- only to find out that my graft looks near perfect!!!! I am not released to run just yet- he wants me to be symptom free first. He will see me in six months. Apparently difficulty with stairs is perfectly normal. Symptoms of small amount of swelling and numbness normal. I made him point out everything on the MRI. Turns out that law school s not a substitute for medical school 🙂 I’m so relieved I could cry!
1 YEAR FOLLOW UP TODAY
4 MarWell, to say it’s been a really bad few days would be an understatement. I had my MRI (which is really a MR Cartigram) on last wednesday. They gave me the films to bring to my doctor. BAD IDEA. I have spent the last five days staring at the pictures and researching stuff on the internet. I can’t sleep and I can’t concentrate – because to me it does not look good. Keep in mind I do not have any medical training whatsoever. However, ironically, the knee has felt kind of bad over the last week, like it did before surgery. I think the best outcome I can expect, based upon my completely uneducated review of the films is that I will need revision surgery for overgrowth. The worst possible result will be a graft failure – which I am terrified of and have managed to convince myself is the case by gazing non stop at the 50 or so pics of my knee that I have in my possession. I will know the answer to this in about 4 hours. I am completely beside myself and am hoping I will look back on this and laugh at my ridiculousness. Keep good thoughts coming my way!The thought of all I have been thru for it to fail, is unimaginable. Living life with constant knee pain does not sound good either. UGGHHHHHHHHH
11 Month Update
22 FebI am about a week past my 11th month post surgery. I don’t feel like I have made much progress since my 10 month update. Still at about the same activity level. Have done some traveling requiring extensive walking and have handled that pretty well, i.e., my knee was sore when my husband (who is a runner) began to feel sore feet. No pain eminating from the knee, but a weakness in the muscles around the knee continue to plague me. I intend to go on a long bike ride this weekend (15 miles) and continue with the weight lifting and eliptical. Bike riding is fine, except that I live in a pretty hilly neighborhood and I can’t stand up on the bike to pedal. My MRI is next week, with my one year follow up the week after that (one week shy of my 1 year anniversary). I will report on the MRI results and what the doctor says for those of you who are reading this and wondering what the result of this lengthy ordeal is. It has been a heck of a year. I am nervous to find out the results of the MRI, as I will be dealing with the mental let down if it is not as good as I had hoped. I feel like I have done absolutely everything in my power to improve my chances for a good outcome, so at least I won’t have regrets.
desperate2run 