I thought I share how my efforts of finding a routine have turned out this week: after that first intense week back to work, I finally was off for three days (Friday through Sunday). I already had a PT appointment scheduled with Bill for Friday afternoon and decided to commit to at least one PT session per week. I am already scheduled out for the next three weeks, so that way, I will go for sure. I also want to do at least one fun outdoor activity per week or at least every two weeks (as my schedule permits).
Bill worked on my sore spot over the bony prominence of L3. He thinks that either the ligament is still giving me grief or that I have a slight misalignment that is still present (he carefully mobilized that spot manually; I think it’s already making a difference, but time will tell). It really doesn’t bother me unless you press on the spot directly, so I don’t really notice it much anymore. It doesn’t give me any pain while I bike, jog, or work out, so that is good. Bill truly believes that this will resolve and will continue to work on this issue.
Speaking of PT: I have made huge progress over the last few weeks, and I am very pleased with the outcome so far. Bill adds more or substitutes different movements to my regiment while keeping me safe, which makes me feel at ease. I now do interval sprints on the treat mill, 50 pounds cable pull exercises (shoulder/arms), lunges with weights, and squats. He already informed me that next week, he will ramp-up my abdominal workout – I told him that I expect a six pack! We’ll see, lol.
Another milestone this week was the cleaning of my home! Mopped the floors AND vacuumed the carpet, whoohoo! I know, I know, it sounds silly but before the surgery I wasn’t able to do any of this. Mopping my floors always led to a vicious flare-up of crippling and disabling pain (same for vacuuming). But no more! I am happy to report that I conquered the mop and vacuum cleaner once and for all! *Add victory dance here*
Now to the fun stuff: as I mentioned during last week’s post, my next goal was to take those 15 miles I bicycled on pavement and take it to the woods! Saturday was the day: I ended up biking just shy of 20 miles (!) on trails in the Bull Creek Wildlife Management Area, and despite the fact that it was over 92 F (or more like 200 F in the sun), it was amazing! It’s been a long time since I explored the outdoors like this, and I was rewarded with the sighting of deer, wild boar, and a good-sized black racer (I almost run over). One very unique thing about Bull Creek is the fact that it has an old cemetery – in the middle of nowhere right in the woods. Many graves are from the 19th century and still well cared for. Never seen anything like it!
Riding the trails was fun, and the only part of my body that got quite sore was my butt. However, the soreness wasn’t as bad as when I first started out biking years ago. Either my seat bones remember the saddle, or I got a big butt (more cushioning) from being dormant for so long… I may never know, lol!
I also crossed many bodies of waters since it has rained a LOT in Florida and some parts of the trails are flooded:
After this rather intense ride, my legs where heavy and I was quite tired – but no pain! I always wait and see how I feel the next day, and I am happy to report that I felt strong and refreshed. I am still amazed to no end how my condition has changed so dramatically from near-disability to doing things like this in only 14 weeks after major surgery! I am so incredibly thankful that I didn’t end up getting a fusion because I really don’t think it would have been the same outcome.