THE REST OF THE STORY:

So this is what my left quad looks like 3 weeks after I "twisted" my back. Any ideas?

FEBRUARY 5TH:

Here is the rest of the info to go along with the above picture:
After the back injury I started to have more pain and cramping on the inside of my left leg along with weakness. It was mostly when going up stairs or standing up. The skin is numb over the quadriceps. It continued 3 more weeks until the back pain was completely gone but I felt that the quadriceps muscle was atrophying. Also, I would spin to about a HR of 120 and get SEVERE spasms in that area. So as Dot got better I got an MRI of my back to make sure there wasn't anything continuing to push on that nerve. Interestingly, the MRI showed some disc protrusion and disease, but NOT in the nerve distribution that corresponded with my weakness. Anyway, its good that I don't think I'll need surgery but unknown as to why this happened and when it will resolve. I am going to see a sports medicine doc Monday to get his opinion.

So is it Old age? I'd like to think that it is more likely a probability thing. The longer you do crazy things and the more crazy things that you do the more likely you will have an injury and pay the consequences.

What else is there, though. To lay down, rot and die?

We Will Be Ruturning To Regular Programing...

Dot continues to do well. Here she is back at the boys bed-time ritual of reading to them. The family routines that we depend on her for are back on track. I must say, however, that it is nice to have her home during the day and not at work. We could probably get used to that, but alas, she's already logged onto the work computer and started to do some work and conferencing.

So after this post I will take back my Arantix blog and return to boring the one or two readers (and myself) about biking and my challenges. Dot welcomes your calls and emails if you'd like to see how she continues to recover. Thank you all for your interest, wishes and prayers.

How to Keep An Active Women Sane....

So far Dot is doing well at home; relatively independent about getting up and around- even going up and down stairs (Yes, I warned her not too!). But, right now she is definitely reminded of her limitations by the surgical pain and very slowly improving stomachaches. This has kept her cautious and seemingly resigned to resting. Also, emotionally she seems to be comfortable with the situation she is dealing with- at least on the outside.
What happens next is my next concern. For a VERY active person I've been wondering how she would handle "going cold turkey" from working out. She has been advised no strenuous activity for about 6 weeks and that would be like twice as much time off of working out as she has taken our whole married life. Yes, maybe that's a little exaggerated but you get the picture. How she will handle this is a nagging thought in the back of my mind. The good thing is that she is very attuned to her emotional needs and I trust she will do well- as long as her husband stays out or her way.

ADDENDUM;
OK, so as soon as I pushed the publish button, Dot came in and said, "I think I am in trouble: I'm bored.".... See what I mean?

Happy Mommy; Happy Boys

Dot was feeling and LOOKING good enough today to see the boys. It was a good day.
She's coming home tomorrow morning.

happy daddy

MUCH BETTER

Here's Dot's bright message: "Thanks for your thoughts, I am doing much better this morning. Let's hope this afternoon is better than yesterdays."

She is off all pain meds, gently walking the hallways and in much better spirits! Yay!

What a difference 12 hours can make.

Two steps forward; One step back

Dot's sleeping and doing well now. Earlier, she had a little setback with an Ileus (ie as is common after surgery the bowels stop working causing severe stomach pain and cramping). She's been really tough and worked through it through the day. I am sure we will take another couple of steps forward tomorrow.

Silent Night?

All is well. She is sleeping peacefully (until the next blood pressure check).

Can you beleive she had dreams even under anesthesia!

Good night....