I have a few thoughts I wanted to share with you. In June 2013 I set myself the goal of competing at the World Championships this year. Unsinkable Episode one shows me speaking about this. I am currently at this event in Amsterdam, just not in the capacity I had hoped for. Today I have a race, it is the 'spares' race, it is a race for all the reserves at the event. I have high expectations for this race. Not in regards to where I finish, but in that I want to execute the best race my year so far, and produce a performance I am happy with. This is important to show that the training I have been doing over the last few months is working and that for each month i move further away from surgery, I move one month closer to returning to full health and my full capabilities as an athlete. A strong performance today for me in the single is also important for myself moving forward to next season and my goal of being on the right side of the fence post selection trials next year. I have made some good progress with my training over the last 5 weeks since returning from our short trip to Holland Beker, Henley and Lucerne 2 months ago where I produced some solid performances. However over the last 4 weeks the most promising aspect has been the reintroduction of long ergo sessions 2-3 times per week of 3x30 minutes which is something i haven't completed since 2011, and also the reintroduction of strength weights in the gym. I have not been in the squat rack since 2011 either, but over the last month under the watchful eye of John and Harry in the VIS gym I have made some good progress with my strength which has really helped my boat movement and specifically given me some more leg speed in the drive which is helping me with the rhythm of the boat. I am excited for my race today and I will be fired up on the start line. I am also excited to be a part of the team and support them in any way I can, it really is great to be a part of the international experience again.
Cheers, John
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteI firstly want to thank you for your inspiring journey, I have only just found your blog and here wishing I found it earlier. I have had a long journey like yours to figure out what was going wrong. I am not an elite athlete like yourself, so I can't imagine what you have been through. However I have always loved exercising so much so I work as an Exercise Physiologist.
The problem in my legs started about 10 (17yrs old) years ago initially with calf and shin pain, this I could deal with as much as it stopped me running I could still get on an exercise bike, walk etc. This was amongst many other sporting injuries. However 4 and a half years ago my feet started to go numb with any exercise, I started seeking specialist opinions in Melbourne, over the 3 years they trialled lots of things some suggested surgeries which were on my feet but I declined as it didn't all add up to me(lucky I didn't). Over the last 3 years I couldn't cross my legs without my feet going numb, I couldn't exercise on a bike for longer than 3 minutes, I had trouble walking with my patients during exercise tests.
Then I guess I kept researching and asking for referrals I was lucky to find the right person finally, who gave me the time and in the first consultation told me I think you have compartment syndrome but I also think you could have popliteal artery entrapment. It funny that every appointment I went to see a specialist I asked them do you think it could vascular and they all said "No" and didn't look into it further. Here's wishing I did.
He sent me for further testing where I had compartment pressure testing and the vascular ultrasound tests. I was positive for anterior and deep posterior compartment syndrome, minor changes in ultrasound.
I sore a surgeon who advised me to have the compartment surgery before any further testing for popliteal as he said "I don't think you would have it"
I had the compartment syndrome decompression bilaterally(23rd January 2014) and once I could start getting into rehab I quickly new it wasn't solved.
So I pushed for a referral and sore the same surgeon(Dr Bill Campbell) as you did. Before seeing him I had an MRI which was inconclusive. He told me that he had another female patient that scans didn't show anything for and then had an angiogram and found it. Sorry I need to make this shorter I had the angiogram and 3 days later had my left leg popliteal decompressed (29th April 2014)(removing plantaris/ also a fasciotomy on gastric and Soleus). I saw Dr Campbell at 6 weeks and it had improved it wasn't completely right yet but you wouldn't expect it to- but I could ride a bike for 10mins no numbness in my left leg, I also started running at about 10 weeks getting to 3km(I was excited, I hadn't run that far in 9 years) which meant it was worth booking in for the other leg. I had the right leg operated just over a week ago. This is always the hardest part going back to square one for the 3rd time this year, even though the outcome is well worth it if it all works!!!
Thank you so much for sharing your story John you have gave me hope that maybe a half marathon may not be out of the question and you never know maybe my dream of completing a marathon!!! Best of luck with your journey and I look forward to hearing more successes from you!!!
Kirsten.
Hi Kirsten.
DeleteThanks for sharing your story! I enjoy hearing about people who keep pushing to find answers and those who are not willing to just give up. I am so pleased for you that you have been able to find relief. It took me around 3.5 years to finally meet Bill Campbell and this was frustrating, I can't imagine what it feels like to you after so many years. I am glad we both found him in the end! My one piece of advice to you is to be patient. Easier said than done, but I am over 12 months post op and still my legs are improving from month to month. In the early days I had doubts and sometimes worried that maybe it wasn't fixed, but now I have full confidence, so don't be deterred by any setbacks or challenges you may face in the next few months. Best of luck with the rehab and the Marathon (always aim higher)!!
Cheers, John
Cheers, John
Hi John,
ReplyDeletePowerful, inspiring stuff!
Personal Coach Sober Recovery
Thank you Kacy.
DeleteBotox injections into the plantaris might have given an almost instant & 3-4month duration fix, which may have prevented the shoulder injury & training disruption.
ReplyDelete