Argh..I'm going to go crazy

[crazycanuck]

:o :rolleyes:

I'm going crazy...

*phew*...We recieved the MRI results back today and it's good yet not so good news. I won't be biking on a trainer until possibly mid december :mad: but I dont need surgery :) I tore my PC & my MC ligaments. I have to wear a full length leg brace (ok full length if you're short like me :o ) for a month & the the doc (ortho sports med dr) will reassess.

Gee, i'm going to have a funnier tan line now! Ha Ha..

So, I must ask..how am I going to not go nuts? I don't want to add to the obesity epidemic! I can't swim for another few weeks I think. I can reaaly only walk to & from the train station(30 min walk) then to work. I will try the sand on the dog beach. I still have to rely on Ian to drive though.

If anyone can assist me in the quest to maintain some type of fitness level let me know. That and keep my dear man sane.

oh, one more thing-my pilates studio knows i'm hurt and i'll speak to them about working round my injuris

Thanks!

c

[lph]

Aaaah - you poor thing, I feel for you. I'd be going crazy too if I were you. But no surgery really is a good thing! You don't want to mess around with a scalpel more than absolutely necessary, in my non-professional opinion, never know how things are going to heal.

But I'd be more worried about mental health than obesity ;) Try to get out there and walk, even if it's just meandering around looking at the scenery. Can you swim? Lift weights? Maybe it helps if you think of recovery as a different kind of biking challenge, one that is challenging your patience and creativity more than your stamina.

[crazycanuck]

I will have to wait for clearance from the shoulder dr in terms of swimming.

I'm sure the beach will help :)

c

[margo49]

Visualisations.
I like those scenic ones with like wolves running thru the landscape. I had a cd with nice music plus wolf howls and snuffles and it's got me thru a lot.
I had a dolphin one too (on tape) that had a spoken bit before the dolphins that got me thru chemo.; pm me and I can give you names.
Reading books with lots of action pics in- either animals or people. Ditto National Geographic or Discovery Channel television.
This really works best if you are the kind of person that can talk herself into (and out of) things and lives in her head half the time anyway (or would like to or has to stop herself from it).
$0.02

[Tri Girl]

I don't know how to keep from going crazy, but I just had to say that you look so "stiff" in your leg brace. That's a monster brace!!!
Hope you heal up soon so you can get back out there. All this just as the weather was warming- drats! Hope you can still have some fun before the weather turns chilly again. :)

[OakLeaf]

Ouch.

Your PT really should have some suggestions for you on what, if anything, you can do for cardio.

If you can walk 30 minutes (! that's a long walk with an injury!) I don't know why you couldn't swim with a flotation board, flutter kicking your legs only until your shoulder recovers. Depending on where exactly your shoulder injury is, possibly you could do whatever that stroke is they used to teach in lifesaving, with breast stroke arms and flutter kicking your legs? Or a dog paddle, even?

I'm remembering from swimming after my ACL tear years and years ago, that I had a lot of trouble with foot cramps because I wasn't fully extending my knee. If you can walk on the leg, I'm assuming you can extend it to within 5 degrees, but you just have to remember to keep it extended while doing a flutter kick.

I wouldn't do unilateral resistance exercises though. Muscle imbalances are worse and harder to remedy than a little temporary atrophy, IMHO.

Sending healing vibes your way.

[bmccasland]

CC - strolling? Spring is always my favorite time of year, so maybe go for a stroll? As for keeping your mind occupied, any silly books you've wanted to read? Cat Who? series? Exercise your library card?

Here's some good thoughts to keep you from going completely stir crazy. :p

[mimitabby]

do some weight lifting with your non-hurt limbs? this burns calories too!
don't forget crunches. Figure out a way to do crunches that doesn't hurt the hurt parts?

[sundial]

Oh CC!! I'm so sorry you have to be (somewhat) housebound.

How about taking up a neat hobby like beading? Or knitting? Or better yet, painting? :D

I don't know how you walk any distance in that horrid contraption but I found that my balance is affected and if I'm on uneven ground--watch out! Plus with your arm in a sling, it adds to a balance issue. If you do work out, maybe a seated weight training program?

Your body is working hard right now repairing so it's using lots of calories. I wouldn't be so concerned about weight as I would your sanity. ;)

Sending you lots of hugs ((((((((((((((CC))))))))))))))))

[maillotpois]

Wow, CC - you look like Robo cop - or maybe the bionic woman - with those braces and slings! Cool effect! :D

I know being laid up is awful - especially if you are just dying to get out there. My 6 months off the bike was pretty grim last year. But you at least have a light at the end of the tunnel, right? You have a pretty good estimate of when you will be back - when they reassess for sure you will be given a good time frame. So it's not a "never". And walking is great exercise - don't underestimate that.

For now, heal yourself!! :)

[IFjane]

Oh CC! I am so sorry - wish I had the magic solution to the going crazy thing. I am in the midst of a non-motivational period myself right now and I don't even have an injury as an excuse.

Hang in there - I think the ideas everyone else have posted are great. Keep us up on your progress/prognosis.

{{{{{{{{HUG}}}}}}}}

[RoadRaven]

Oh CC... *tongue firmly in cheek* You are just going for the sympathy vote

Just look at your name, you are ALREADY crazy!!! How do you get crazier than crazy?


Seriously? Get SKY installed and watch those "57 channels with nothing on" that The Boss sings about - there might be something!
(Tour of Southland is on at the moment and we watched the first stage's highlights last night - bl**dy awful weather down there... watch that and be glad you don't have to ride in weather like that)

Find a friend who likes music as much as me (but who lives a tad closer) and then work through their CD collection - we have just over 500 CDs!

Yup Mallio - she is def bionic woman now - I can hear the sound effects as she reaches for her keyboard - hey, that makes me think too... search out some weird/unusual forums, become a member under a completely new identity and post weird and unusual posts while you are waiting for TEers to post something you can respond to here...

Heck CC, you'll have to treat it as a taper... you'll come back rearing to go... time will pass, and you know it is important to let it - time is the greatest healer for breaks and bruises and torn bits.

And if i had an enforced "lay-up" time i'd take up Sundial's solution and paint. I used to paint heaps before children, but since kids and fulltime work I have never had the time and keep wishing I did...

(((((((CC)))))))

[elk]

hey...you got a dog beach?!?? Take that smiling dog for a long hobble!!

speedy recovery....

[7rider]

So, I must ask..how am I going to not go nuts? I don't want to add to the obesity epidemic! I can't swim for another few weeks I think. I can reaaly only walk to & from the train station(30 min walk) then to work. I will try the sand on the dog beach. I still have to rely on Ian to drive though.

If anyone can assist me in the quest to maintain some type of fitness level let me know. That and keep my dear man sane.



Ouch. Can you put weight on the leg? Are you on crutches? Be careful of the sand, that you don't twist your knee on the soft, uneven surface.

When I was out of commission after a knee injury - and later after surgery - I caught up on all those books I had been *meaning to read* but just never had time to crack open! Re: fitness. Yeah, talk to your PT and get some recommendations there. Whatever...take it easy. Don't hurt yourself (more). And stay away from the pantry!! Read or start doing crossword puzzles or knitting or organize that sock drawer or ANYthing to keep yourself occupied and away from the mindless munching.

Good luck and feel better soon!

[Wahine]

I will second the please be careful on the sand comment. It's a good way to tweak your already tweaked knee.

I have a windsurfing/cycling friend that broke her knee very badly at the end of August. She was totally out of comission and no allowed to weight bear at all on the leg. She managed to do Pilates with her brace and we had her in a pool in water up to her low chest area doing exercises for her leg after about 3 weeks. She would walk forward and backward, side to side, do squats in the water, leg lifts in all directions, knee bends......You should be able to so something like that pretty quickly but clear it with the Doc first.

My friend also took up knitting which helped her deal with the injury a lot. And, she lost 10 pounds in 6 weeks even though she wasn't doing anything, so I wouldn't worry too much about blimping out. Like others have said, you metabolism will be up for a while to try to deal with the injury.

[solobiker]

Sorry to hear that you are currently sidelined. Since 2000 every fall I get some kind of injury that takes me out of the exercise world for a few months. It is hard to believe but something has happened every fall, well to make a long story short, I too was worried about "obeisity" and losing all my fitness. I was getting so discourage when a friend told me this is the time to pick up a hobby that I had always wanted to do or was interested in. so one year I learned quilting, next year I took up using a wood lathe, the following year scroll sawing. The list goes on. So I leave you with this question, is there anything you are interested in outside of the fitness world that you could devote attention too? I find it very relaxing. Hope you get better soon.

[snowtulip]

Hey CC - still sending healing vibes!!! When I'm down and out, I do as others have suggested, pick up a sit at home hobby (scrapbook or draw) or a stroll outdoors hobby (taking photos) or a favorite, people watching while reading a book at an outdoor cafe. I must admit it takes a little while to get used, the hardest part is making your brain believe it is ok to minimize physical activity for a little bit. Good luck!

[nomummytummy]

So, I must ask..how am I going to not go nuts?


I can tell you that I chose the highly "useful & sensible" Tim Tam path when I was injured for 7 weeks. You know Tim Tam when I would go for a ride, Tim Tam when I would have got home from the ride, Tim Tam when I thought about how long my plaster wouldbe on, Tim Tam just to even the number left in the pack,Tim Tam when.....

I didn't go nuts, my pants just got a bit tighter & then that gave me something else to think about - ah yes! another Tim tam might enhance the thinking process.

CC I do hope you can come up with a better solution, as PCL & MCL sounds like too big a job for a mere timtam. Take care & look after yourself:)

[bmccasland]

And I even still have an unopened bag. but not for looonnnngg

So CC, I think of you everytime I open the refrig. Although since it has finally cooled off, maybe I can store them in the cupboard.

[crazycanuck]

I'm not nuts yet! :rolleyes: :) I have managed to survive two weeks of forced leave!

Thank you for all your replies & putting up with my crazy q's. To all on facebook, thanks :)

Beth-i'd send more but they might melt! I can't believe you still have a pack :eek:

I found some good books & have had lunch with some friends. A friend is taking me to a club shooting range on sat-i'm going to watch!

Next week is when the fun begins! Back to work & taking work life a bit slower. I took the train today & realize I won't be able to sit down as my leg sticks out too far!

I still feel guilty about being the slowpoke on the sidewalk! As long as i;m not in the way, i'm cool.

Who knew that being injured could be so much fun!

c

[Veronica]

Don't feel guilty. You're injured! Glad you've survived so far. You'll be better before you know it.

V.

[li10up]

I hope you are healing well - and quickly!

[lph]

Oh heavens - enjoy it! You have the perfect opportunity to act like a crotchety old lady, get in everybody's way and yell at cyclists buzzing you. Nobody dares talk back to somebody wearing bandages and a splint :D

[sundial]

CC, your chances of getting pampered by your work mates are pretty good right now. Let's see.....you need more coffee? Coming right up! You can't get comfy in your chair? Here, try the bosses chair. Need help with the door? Wait! I'll get it............:D

[Possegal]

i have tremendous sympathy! i spent 6 weeks with my right knee immobilized due to a patellar dislocation and honestly, it was horrid! and the beginning of a weight gain downward spiral for me. 8 yrs later, i'm still trying to undo the damage. and i did find it mentally so depressing. i had friends saying - what's to complain about, you get to lie around the house all day! but they were couch potato types. it is really hard for someone who is active to do that.

sitting in a chair was terribly uncomfortable. my work brought my computer home for me so i could sit on the couch with my leg completely propped up on the couch. that helped the comfort, but not so much the immobility. more reason to stay home and do nothing! sitting at my office there was no way to put my leg that it didn't hurt. i tried propping it on a garbage can but even with the brace on it, i would get pressure point pain where the garbage can hit my leg. and i found walking slowly around places seemed to annoy people. more than once i found myself yelling at someone in a grocery store - 'injured here, can't you see the brace!'. people can be so annoying! one little old lady walked by me and said "i feel so sorry for you honey, my husband just got out of one of those" and i nearly cried.

ok, that all makes me sound a little unbalanced perhaps. :)

you sound like you have a far better attitude than i did and you are aware of the trap you could fall into. so i think you will find ways to completely avoid it. i wish i had a better attitude during my injury (which did result in surgery, which probably didn't help) or i wish i had more folks around me to keep me active within my physical limits.

good luck and glad you don't need surgery! and yes, i too ended up with a funny looking tan. :)

[sundial]

i spent 6 weeks with my right knee immobilized due to a patellar dislocation and honestly, it was horrid!

I had to wear one short term and I was never so glad to get it OFF.

I am holed in too and I've decided to start addressing Christmas cards.

[RoadRaven]

Next week is when the fun begins! Back to work & taking work life a bit slower. I took the train today & realize I won't be able to sit down as my leg sticks out too far!



OK... coz you wants a leeeetle fun, riiiiiight? Don't travel at rush hour if you can avoid it... but DO travel by train.... here goes

DO sit down
DO make sure legs stick out

Watch all the people strying to be considerate as they "cross-country" across you to avoid touching your legs... how far will they contort and put themselves out to avoid giving you any discomfort...

Watch all the faces as people glance at your injury and try to figure out what you have done...

When people do ask you, be a different persona each day... and try and find as many different ways to tell your story as possible... you know... give an "organ recital" where you go into medical detail like a docomentary, another day give a version of someone who can't stand pain but has to go in to every detail anyway, then a version of someone who regularly breaks their body in daring death-defying feats and this is as no more than a scratch...

Could be a lot of fun!

[crazycanuck]

I'm sorry to bother you kids again..Just some observations...

I keep reminding myself it's all about patience. Patience grasshopper..
I am not the most patient person with others, never mind myself!!!

I thought this would be an easy-ish road in terms of time but have learnt not so! I am starting to really miss the adrenalin rush and everything associated with exercise and it;s only been three weeks :eek: :o

I guess if i have patience I will be rewarded(not sure of the right adjective) with the adrenalin rush soon!

I did a very very gentle private session at my regular pilates studio today. It's a start :)

Thanks for listening

c

[Susan126]

Any time you want to vent we are hear to listen CC!

I definitely know what you are going through. When I had my foot surgery in December of 2005 my doctor did not know the kind of patient he was getting. A very impatient one! Every time I had a doctor visit I would complain and ask, "Okay doc, when do you think I will be able to start riding my bike again?" My husband was even embarrassed by my constant pestering. His answer (the doctor's) would always be the same. But I must have thought, "If I keep asking he will surly move the date up." Finally, about 6 months after the surgery, he said I could begin physical therapy. He removed the cast from my foot and signed me up for my PT sessions. Anyway, in my mind that meant I could ride again! Man was I wrong. I badgered hubby to go on a short flat ride on a local trail. HA! When I tried to put my bike shoe on my foot, my foot that was still swollen from the surgery, it barely fit. But I pushed it in there! Oh yes I did. Then I tried to clip in! Talk about pain! But I was so determined to ride my bike that day. Well I got my throbbing foot into my shoe, then I pushed it until it clipped into the pedal, with sweat running down my face (believe me sweat not from exercise) I maybe rode one block before I told Joe I had to go back. Now you see how stubborn and determined I am. And as my hubby said bullheaded. He said he has learned not to argue with me because it's useless. I have to find out the hard way. Yep that's me. It was almost a year before I could ride again. It was the year from you know where for me! I am so glad it's behind me and soon it will be behind you too CC!

So, hang in there CC because sooner than you know you will be on your bike again having that adrenalin rush. It's to die for! So I do know how you are feeling and believe me I truly do feel for you and I will celebrate with you when you are well again and on your bike! :)

So here is to that day! I will be ready to ride with you though we are thousands of miles apart. I will be with you in "spirit" on that day. Just let me know when! :D

[RoadRaven]

Just checking in to tell you I am still thinking of you too and trusting the healing is almost noticible now, day by day...

[sundial]

CC, it's good to hear from you. :)

I know what you mean--it's been 2 weeks for me and I really miss the long rides. Doc said I could get on my road bike but I feel it's not time yet. My mind is just now engaging and I'd rather paint right now.

I hope it won't be long until you enjoy a nice leisurely ride.

[sundial]

And in the meantime, maybe this will lift your spirits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelJrP3P7tA&feature=related

[elk]

OMG, Sun...that voice is SO moving...he makes people..me included...cry!!!

[snowtulip]

CC, Congratulations! Pilates is the first step to exercising again. Hang in there!

[sundial]

OMG, Sun...that voice is SO moving...he makes people..me included...cry!!!

I'm always for the underdog. And yes, his voice brought tears of joy.

[Susan126]

It was funny to see Piers Morgan roll his eyes when Paul Potts said he would be singing opera. Then his face when he heard Paul sing!!!!! Simon, Piers, and Amanda were shocked and amazed then blown away by Pauls voice. He made me cry! I hear he will be singing for the queen?

[Brandi]

I don't believe it I now have a face to go with the name! You don't look crazy!
It sounds like you are on your way to keep from going nuts. I am sure your pilates people can help. Maybe try yoga as well, staying away from the injured parts of coarse. Walking, walking, walking, really will help a lot! you just write us when you start going to crazy. Hey you knit? Maybe go take a class in something like that. To keep your hands busy. And that way you won't get bored and reach for any tim tams. as a matter of fact just send them all to me! I will take care of them for you! That's what friends are for!

[Brandi]

[QUOTE=sundial;263898]And in the meantime, maybe this will lift your spirits.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DelJrP3P7tA&feature=related[/QUOTE
I like this show more then amreican idol. It is so happy at times. You just some of these poeples lives are going to change for good!

[Trekhawk]

WOW that was amazing!! I love that song.

The shock on the judges faces reminds me a little of Idol in Aust a few years ago. A young guy had a good voice but was always singing pretty light weight pop stuff and then came out with this the judges were amazed.

Check it out below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TwBZOttjlM

CC - I hope each day you are feeling a little better.

[Tuckervill]

What language was he singing in the second half? He's really good and good looking, too.

I really had a hard time with the opera singer from the UK. His teeth were so bad I couldn't look at him. It would have ruined the singing for me if I couldn't have closed my eyes. I just hope this leads to some fine dental work for the poor guy.

ETA: I mean he seemed embarrassed to open his mouth, and that was the painful part for me.
Karen



WOW that was amazing!! I love that song.

The shock on the judges faces reminds me a little of Idol in Aust a few years ago. A young guy had a good voice but was always singing pretty light weight pop stuff and then came out with this the judges were amazed.

Check it out below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TwBZOttjlM

CC - I hope each day you are feeling a little better.

[sundial]

Check it out below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TwBZOttjlM

He has a beautiful voice and stage presence as well. Thank you for sharing Trekhawk.

[sundial]

Sorry CC, didn't mean to hijack your thread. :o