On the mend

Last friday morning, I hopped up on the operating table, and while the nurses were strapping me in, the anesthesiologist told me to think of something nice and relaxing. I thought of the nice sunny beaches in Mexico--there are no sunburns in your daydreams. After a nice relaxing nap, I woke up as the surgical team wheeled me into recovery. My doctor informed me that the surgery had been a success, and he would stop by and see me in recovery. Apparently he fixes knees, like I run regressions. (wait... progress don't regress ... like I run simulations!) Just before he scrubbed in to renew another patient's athletic career, he informed me that he had been able to stitch the cartiledge back together, without removing any. This is good news for down the road. After looking inside me knee he was also pleased that we did the surgery right away: if I had continuted to run on the knee, within a year or so, he informed me, my athletic days would be over .

Armed with the relief of a successful surgery, having made the right decision, and the comfortable buzz of the lingering anesthesia, it was time to go home. My sister picked me up from recovery, brought me home, and was a tremendous help. I settled in for some serious couch time with Peter Kennedy's Guide to Econometrics. Without boring you with more details of me weekend, I'll just say that I've been following the doctor's orders, and I'm on the mend. The surgical stocking came off on Sunday, followed by a garbage bag covered leg in the shower. Last night, I removed the dressing, and put some band-aids on the tiny wounds. I thought I'd include some nice gross pictures. You can see that the knee is still pretty swolen, but the three wounds are pretty small and healing nicely. In the garbage is the surgical dressing and bandage; much better there than wrapped around my leg.

I meet with the doctor tomorrow for the post-op inspection, and we'll formulate a strategy for the rest of my recovery. I'm told that I can expect four to six weeks of physical therapy before resuming normal activities. Plenty of time to train for the Chicago marathon.

Thank you again to all of my supporters. I'm really disappointed that I can't compete this summer, but hopefully, I'll be in good shape for next year. I'm also still accepting contributions for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Their work is extremely important, and I hope I can continue to help them raise money, even if I can't compete this summer. If you know anyone who would like to help support the society, please pass this link along.