The Orthotron is the latest torture device I've been subjected to at physio.
The best image I could find is at this site (left-hand photo): www.physiotherapy.gr/pantazis/physio1.htm
I'm sure there are newer, sleeker models but the one where I go is old school like this one. The difference is the strap looks less like a seatbelt and the hold-on-for-dear-life handles are more prominent.
"Are you sure that's not going to kill me?"
"If I don't do it right, am I going to get an electric shock?"
"Hey! Help me out!! Where are you going?"
Oh, I know deep down inside my physio is going to miss us when we're gone...
Yeah, it's like the leg extension machine at the gym. Except with this one there's resistence on the way up and down. The reason I hate it: Mireille is expected to whip her leg up and down as hard and fast as possible.
I know... it sounds like an injury in the making. That's exactly my problem with it!
Gotta trust that physio knows best.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
About 5 months, three quarters
The pressure is on.
Mireille told her volley-ball team about the surgeon's timeline and said she still wanted to be on the team. Volley-ball season doesn't start until late September / early October so we wouldn't be that far behind. They are going to take us on despite Mireille's delay in playing and my condition... Yay!
I just need to be strong enough when we see the surgeon in November.
It's a recreational team so, hopefully, the surgeon will take that into consideration. No competitive team for us this year!
Mireille started practicing serves and simple bumps and volleys. It's difficult to think about hitting the ball and not about me. After a while, though, she does forget.
Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
Mireille told her volley-ball team about the surgeon's timeline and said she still wanted to be on the team. Volley-ball season doesn't start until late September / early October so we wouldn't be that far behind. They are going to take us on despite Mireille's delay in playing and my condition... Yay!
I just need to be strong enough when we see the surgeon in November.
It's a recreational team so, hopefully, the surgeon will take that into consideration. No competitive team for us this year!
Mireille started practicing serves and simple bumps and volleys. It's difficult to think about hitting the ball and not about me. After a while, though, she does forget.
Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A bit over 5 and a half months
After we kinda ran 2 kms on Saturday, Mireille was feeling pretty good and ready to hit the track again.
I was moving well and Mireille was psyched. However, the legs weren't cooperating. It felt like someone had poured concrete in Mireille's quads. I guess we haven't built enough muscle mass, yet??
Maybe it was the hooligan loitering in the bushes on the southside of the track. He was quite distracting. You know when you get scared and you freeze? Maybe that's what was happening.
If I ever go missing, please inform the police about a middle-aged man walking aimlessly and looking suspicious. Ok, so I didn't a good look at him... Crap.
Yes, I'm paranoid by nature.
I was moving well and Mireille was psyched. However, the legs weren't cooperating. It felt like someone had poured concrete in Mireille's quads. I guess we haven't built enough muscle mass, yet??
Maybe it was the hooligan loitering in the bushes on the southside of the track. He was quite distracting. You know when you get scared and you freeze? Maybe that's what was happening.
If I ever go missing, please inform the police about a middle-aged man walking aimlessly and looking suspicious. Ok, so I didn't a good look at him... Crap.
Yes, I'm paranoid by nature.
Monday, August 17, 2009
About 5 and a half months
The usual.
Still working on bending until we can sit on our heels. Jogged (I mean, walked as fast as possible with a hop) for 2 kms and was quite sore the next day. Stiffness is less and less of an issue.
Most importantly, Mireille can now visualize going back to sports. It doesn't seem that scary anymore.
I, and the whole leg, feel very strong and stable.
Still working on bending until we can sit on our heels. Jogged (I mean, walked as fast as possible with a hop) for 2 kms and was quite sore the next day. Stiffness is less and less of an issue.
Most importantly, Mireille can now visualize going back to sports. It doesn't seem that scary anymore.
I, and the whole leg, feel very strong and stable.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
1 year since injury
Today marks exactly one year since my injury.
In fact, it was even around this time (7:30-ish) that Mireille collapsed and remained frozen to the ground. She wouldn't look at me. She was sure I was black and blue and the size of a soccer ball. All she could think was:
"OMG, my kneecap is shattered and probably the bones in my legs. It's ok, they'll fix you... they'll fix you..."
She didn't even look at me as they took her in the ambulance. The whole time she just stared straight up, repeated the mantra "they'll fix you..." and focused on her breathing to get through the pain.
"I'm sorry miss but we can't give you any pain medication."
What!?!?!
Mireille finally glanced down at me in the hospital. I wasn't even swollen... She panicked for a second: "Did I make a scene for nothing?"
The extent of my injuries only revealed itself the next day. And, we now all know, I didn't make a scene for nothing - unfortunately!
***
We saw the surgeon again today. Dr. B told us another 3 months until our return to sports...
In fact, it was even around this time (7:30-ish) that Mireille collapsed and remained frozen to the ground. She wouldn't look at me. She was sure I was black and blue and the size of a soccer ball. All she could think was:
"OMG, my kneecap is shattered and probably the bones in my legs. It's ok, they'll fix you... they'll fix you..."
She didn't even look at me as they took her in the ambulance. The whole time she just stared straight up, repeated the mantra "they'll fix you..." and focused on her breathing to get through the pain.
"I'm sorry miss but we can't give you any pain medication."
What!?!?!
Mireille finally glanced down at me in the hospital. I wasn't even swollen... She panicked for a second: "Did I make a scene for nothing?"
The extent of my injuries only revealed itself the next day. And, we now all know, I didn't make a scene for nothing - unfortunately!
***
We saw the surgeon again today. Dr. B told us another 3 months until our return to sports...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
22 weeks, 1 day
We're feeling super duper!
(I just felt like saying "super duper"... oops, there I go again! But, really. How often do you get to say "super duper"??)
I don't have much to report so I thought I'd update the blogosphere on our workout schedule.
Day 1 @ gym
Bike warm-up
Leg press machine
Straight-legged dead lifts
Calf raises with dumbbells
Cardio workout (elliptical, treadmill or stairclimber)
Day 2 @ gym
Bike warm-up
Ball squats
Hamstring curl machine
Calf raise machine
Cardio workout (elliptical, treadmill or stairclimber)
Every morning we do at least 15 minutes of yoga and, most evenings, we get another longer yoga session in. 1 - 2 times per week we hit the pool (laps and now plyometrics in waist-high water). Biking outdoors once a week. Started also working the upper body at the gym.
On weeks where we don't go to physio, we fit in a third gym workout and add lunges + stability exercises.
Voilà!
(I just felt like saying "super duper"... oops, there I go again! But, really. How often do you get to say "super duper"??)
I don't have much to report so I thought I'd update the blogosphere on our workout schedule.
Day 1 @ gym
Bike warm-up
Leg press machine
Straight-legged dead lifts
Calf raises with dumbbells
Cardio workout (elliptical, treadmill or stairclimber)
Day 2 @ gym
Bike warm-up
Ball squats
Hamstring curl machine
Calf raise machine
Cardio workout (elliptical, treadmill or stairclimber)
Every morning we do at least 15 minutes of yoga and, most evenings, we get another longer yoga session in. 1 - 2 times per week we hit the pool (laps and now plyometrics in waist-high water). Biking outdoors once a week. Started also working the upper body at the gym.
On weeks where we don't go to physio, we fit in a third gym workout and add lunges + stability exercises.
Voilà!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
