Surgery

Well, this blog has turned into more of a injury blog than a training and racing blog. I got a surgical consult this morning and the neuro-surgeon wanted to move pretty quickly. He and my spine center doctor are concerned that if I don't act, I risk permanent nerve damage to the C5 nerve root. I was looking in the mirror and feeling my scapula and I already have noticeable atrophy in my shoulder. I was hopeful that with the absence of pain and some strength returning that I could escape surgery. My doctors agree that I still have nerve root impingement and all the healing that I have so far is the absence of inflammation. I'm very hopeful for a good recovery. I think I'm in good hands for the surgery. Being off work for a few weeks is something I'm looking at with some trepidation. Sitting around and watching TV sounds like a dream come true. I enjoy that kind of thing, but I'm not sure I'm going to enjoy being forced into it. I think I'll be back at training by the first of the year. I'm hoping that I've built enough of a base that I can get back the times and distances quickly. I'll miss the Turkey Trot, but I think I can be back at it in time for the Resolution Run 5k. I hope so.

Tests and off-season training

I get an EMG on Wednesday. After I saw the Spine Center specialist he said that my condition didn't indicate any need for epidural injections. I was happy to hear that. Unhappy to remain ignorant of my condition and what kind of recovery time I'm looking at. I expect a couple of things; a nerve entrapment caused by a lifetime of sports, or some nerve damage caused by some other weird problem. I've been getting better more rapidly after a few days of remaining at a plateau gaining back strength. I'm off medication for the most part including Tylenol and Advil. I still take some Tylenol PM at bed time.

I had intended to have a half marathon and the training that went with it to carry me into the off-season. Injury has precluded that. I also intended to be well into a strength program that would have me in better condition overall. Now, with the injury, it's just run and ride the trainer. I wish I could get out on the road and I also wish I could do a little single track riding. For the time being, it's 4 on Monday, 5 on Wednesday, and 3 on Friday. A return to 10k for a long run is surely in the near future. I ride the trainer on Tuesday and Thursday for an hour. Hopefully after diagnosis and treatment I can get back to strength training. If I can get back to swimming by February, I'll be on track to meet my goals. If not, I may have to skip a couple of races early in the season.

Results and referral

I got my MRI results the other day and with the help of a good friend who is a Radiology Tech, I was able to see some of the things that I read about in the report. I have a couple of bulging discs and narrowing in the channels where the nerve roots exit the spine. I got referred to The St. John's Spine Center. I was a little apprehensive about this based on the initial call. After a little research, I think this will be the best place for me to get treatment. I only hope they won't get their heads too wrapped around my discs and ignore what I think could be a peripheral nerve problem. Meanwhile, most of my pain has subsided. The numbness has reduced to about one square inch in the center of my deltoid. I can live with all this. The weakness is about intolerable to my mind. Working over my head is nearly impossible, I fatigue easily and I just can't do some stuff. I'll continue to train. My distances are going to change a little, and I'll still be stuck inside for cycling on the trainer. I was pretty lazy today. I'll get back on the horse tomorrow. I think I'll be doing M/W/F thing and 3,4,5 miles. I'll probably do the Turkey Trot, but I don't know if I'll make my goal of sub 24 minute finish time. All that is provided they don't sideline me after my Dr. appointment.