Nice slushy day to finish my ski season. I've been skiing pretty much normally in the last few weeks with little pain. I got maybe only 20 days on the mountain this winter, mostly piste cruising with a little resort skinning but that's a lot more than I thought I'd get.
Looks like I didn't post any real updates since October but my lumbar injection in November got me some great pain relief and I've been able to ramp up my physio to build core muscle and protect my damaged discs. I've had no painkillers since December and no desire to touch any alcohol now after stopping drinking for those 4 months.
I got my apartment keys in February and there are still lots of small jobs to do but I took some time off last week to build up my new bike since my physio has given me the go-ahead. Big pedal days aren't on yet but lift-access from Le Fayet is letting me get back into things.
Still lots of work to do in the apartment but very nice to walk to my new local lifts for a few lunchtime laps on real ski gear. My back and right leg feel way stronger than my last ski 3 weeks ago; weights seem to be paying off.
Biking soon I hope, 'tis the season down here. Physio says not yet though.
Overdue injury update:
After seeing my spinal surgeon on 3rd October his recommendation is that we first try a corticosteroid injection into my L4-L5 disc which is the one causing issues with my spinal cord. My doctor and physio are happy with this approach rather than jumping straight to surgery. Hopefully this gives me some pain relief at least, but getting back to full fitness might require a lot more physiotherapy and/or surgery, we'll just need to wait and see.
I need to have a further consultation with a radiologist on 23rd October and the procedure will take place on 7th November, before a reassessment with my spinal surgeon on 4th December.
My pain levels remain very high - I tried a day without Tramadol as an experiment recently and it's still very much required to stay comfortable and mobile - but my physio remains happy with the slow but constant improvements in my strength and mobility. I bought my lift pass last week - still hoping I can put it to good use next summer at least and hopefully I can manage some light skiing this winter if I get the go-ahead.
Time is passing in a strange way right now. It feels like only last week I was thinking to myself "this would have been my last week of biking in Whistler" (18th September) and now it's mid-October. I really miss riding my bike and even a gravel ride on the valley floor in autumn colours would be amazing right now but I'm listening to my body and medical professionals and resisting the urge, making do with daily 5-10 minute walks to the edge of the woods from my house. Otherwise I'm keeping busy with some very slow leather projects (photos soon), finalising my new kitchen layout and preparing for my move to Le Fayet in mid-December.
Two belts in the making for Scotty Gauci @chris_c_gauci /@amneesiack .
Made a good start and a bit of physio before the Lenzerheide DH stream started and wee walk between the women & men’s races. More physio after, wee sunset walk in a bit. Great success.
@cameron_leatherworks
Recovery update to follow, but first: today's project.
I installed two 50cm handrails on the underside of my mezzanine to be able to hang for some traction as part of my daily physiotherapy, and for pullups once I'm recovered. Massively over-planned and over-engineered, obviously, with stacked leather inside the circular mounts to reinforce them and protect the wood. Rock solid. Total cost: €4.23 from my friends in China. Cheap handlebar tape to be added soon for a bit more girth and grip. I haven't used my door-frame bar in years which is a bit too low for me anyway and I only ever made 9 reps on it, once, I think. So 10+ is a goal to aim for sometime.
Recovery is going well otherwise; I'm feeling stronger, more flexible and in less pain very gradually each day. Hoping to be able to touch my toes by the end of the month. It's a very slow process building some core strength around the damaged discs and bones but my physio is happy with my progress. I'm slowly reducing my daily total Tramadol intake: the pain is still there but I’m trying to stretch out the time between doses during the daytime, with the slow-release version overnight and now only 5mg Valium at bedtime. I'm still not allowed out on my town bike - not a good position for my back even though it feels OK - but a little walking each day feels OK while trying to rely on my stick a bit less.
Ultimately it will still be the specialist's recommendation on 3rd October whether I should have surgery soon, or wait and reassess in 1-2 months, or try to recover with only physio. Realistically I won't be back at work until mid-November at the earliest so the order books are open again for leatherwork projects if any of you fancy something: @cameron_leatherworks .
Thanks for all the messages everyone, Frankie for ongoing physio and Cherie for putting up with me slightly high on opiates most of the time and leaving me with the house to myself this weekend stocked up with supplies 😁.
Off the bike (and maybe skis) for a little while 😞.
I have 4 protruded/herniated lumbar discs, one of them pressing on my spinal cord, causing very painful cruralgia/sciatica since 17th August. I’m on Tramadol all day plus Valium for sleep and regular light physio has been keeping me mobile while awaiting a spinal surgeon consultation on 3rd October for his assessment and deciding whether to go for surgery or continue with physio alone.
Thanks a lot to those who has been helping so far. Enjoy the trails for me this autumn everyone. 🤘
