Day 125 post injury, non-op updates.
Nation,
There’s still some discoloration and swelling around the tendon. Whether that’s residual inflammation, scar tissue, or something else I honestly don’t know. What I do know is that I’m still putting in the work.
I’m still in physical therapy, icing every night, and using a massage gun. I recently started working with a medical massage therapist who is also treating the injured leg. Full disclosure: it’s brutal. There have been sessions that literally brought tears to my eyes. But I can feel a difference afterward, and I’m starting to believe the pain is part of the process.
Today was another milestone: my first ride on a non stationary bike, you know a REAL BIKE. It wasn’t my best distance or time by any stretch, but honestly, that doesn’t matter. After everything I have been through, getting back on a bike and moving under my own power feels like a win.
The goal now is to at least attempt something that resembles running or jogging by the end of the month.
I still feel like I have a limp, but my wife has noticed something I hadn’t really paid attention to there have been moments when I’m walking and I’m not thinking about the injury. I’m just walking normally.
I can also get pretty close to full weight bearing during calf raises, which is another small sign that things are moving in the right direction.
I’m not going to pretend I’m back to 100%. I’m not even close.
But slowly, surely, and one painful step at a time, I’m getting back in the game.
At 41, I’ve learned that progress doesn’t always look impressive. Sometimes it looks like riding a bike for the first time in months.
And sometimes, that’s enough.
Also, in case you didn’t notice, I brought the “Stache” back, lol. The Army absolutely hates it, and then again, that’s why we do it. 😂
IYKYK.
Keep moving forward.