Two Hours to Meniscus Surgery
I am scheduled to be at the surgery center at 8:45. I am a bit nervous but am looking forward to getting the knee fixed. I feel well but I am thirsty since I have not had anything to eat of drink since dinner last night. Time to get up and showered for the adventures that await me. This is gonna be fun!
Al la Carte Surgery
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First you need to get a physical – or better said a medical history and have your heart listened to and blood pressure checked. That will require an appointment with your doctor. Now, I thought that the surgeon had been to medical school somehow you would think that he or one of his staff could do this pre op work. The AMA must be one strong union! Compounding this illogic practice is the fact that my “personal MD” has decided that he needs more money. He is now demanding a $ 75 a year "office fee" just for the privilege of being one of his patients. I can’t deal with this pay me for doing nothing attitude so I refused to give in to the demand and had my testing done a hospital clinic.
You need to buy crutches and ice bag and bring them to the surgery center. OK, crutches are understandable but when you are spending $ 1000’s for about an hour’s work you would think they could afford an ice pack.
Can you tell that stress is setting in?
Money, Money, Money!
Sometimes you can step in crap but still come out smelling like a rose…
Today was one of those days. I was asked if I wanted to participate in a study centered on meniscus surgery.
Being a scientist, I understand the need to participate in medical research. I thought that I could earn some good karma by filling out a few forms or doing a survey.
Well my willingness to volunteer will be rewarded handsomely with $ 500!
Looks like I have my medical deductible paid with a bit left over for some post surgery splurges.
Life is Good!
Cut Me Doc … Please!
He cautioned me that my return to long distance running is questionable and dependent on how much he has to remove. In his words I could fully return to golf or football but ultra running is a lot more wearing on the joints. I jokingly said I would have to go back to triathlons --- He thought that that would be better that my running.
I need to spend the next week getting my life in order. It looks like I am going to be on the disabled list for the rest of the summer!
Dammed By the Devil
Well it wasn’t pretty… the Devil took his due
I pulled out of the race at mile 25. The knee just would not hold on for another 25 miles and it was not worth the pain just to see how far it would carry me. Time to have a serious discussion with the surgeon and get this thing fixed. I am putting my race plans on hold until I am healed so I will not be registering for JFK this year.
On the plus side my training worked. I was comfortable with the heat, thanks to the long sauna sessions. I am sure that 6 or 7 more hours in the broiling heat would have baked me a bit but I think I would have endured. Overall, I felt very good after dropping out but the knee was badly swollen and a bit painful. The post race effects were unnoticeable on Saturday but they hit me hard on Sunday while waiting on line at the Bellagio Buffet. I came close to passing out. I think Coach and Ma were more scared that I was when this happened! I still get a bit light headed when I walk more that a few blocks. So, I have been hanging around the hotel with a few excursions across the street to either the MGM of NYNY.
Guess which knee hurts? Hint it is the hairy one
Speaking of Coach and Ma --- They rocked!!!
Ma scored a 1st place in her age group for the 10K!! What a considerable feat being only a few weeks post knee surgery.
Coach was in his element. He was very strong for the entire course despite being handicapped by staying with me for 13 – 14 miles. This probably cost him an extra hour in the heat. He finished a bit baked but he is now desert tested --- Bring on Badwater! I am ready to crew.
Today was my final Snail run prior to the Devil. I did a slow and steady 6 miler at Lock Raven. Everything feel pretty good, I still have a twinge in the knee, but it only needs to carry me for 50 miles and then I will give it a much needed rest.
As usual, following our run, we did our Saturday morning snail breakfast. I am sure that I put more calories in than I burned off this morning.
Coach gave me a stay cold bag to store my ice vest and hat inserts we will have to see if this works. Ma is recovering from her surgery and is planning to do the 10K. She is on board to be our designated driver back from the race.
We are staying the happiest place on earth ….
This week my plans are to become a couch potato and hydrate—hydrate ---hydrate. I will up my electrolyte intake to be safe. I am flying to Vegas on Thursday to have some time to acclimate. The worst thing about this race is going to bed early on a Friday night in Vegas… somehow that seems to be a sinful act in sin city!
Tapering sucks! You have to find something to fill the time. I spent the night reading the Hammer, Badwater, Calico and other websites to see if I can gleam some secret wisdom that will help me survive the upcoming romp around the Nevada desert.
The only bit of solace I found is that Nevada has fairly liberal gun laws. Hopefully, the race volunteers will be supplied with small caliber handguns to mercifully put a runner out of their misery!
The course is the same as the Angle. It is real simple to follow with only 2 turns. Run 25 miles smile and give the nice person sitting in the middle of the desert you race number and then go home. I can’t think of a nicer way to spend a Saturday in Vegas!
