Monday, January 05, 2009

Stressed

One month two days ago I had about 15 to 20 pounds of loose skin removed from my body by an exceptional Dr. at the Baylor Medical Center in Houston TX. I have an incision that goes around my entire body at the waist.  It has been very painful, but worse the sitting around not being able to do anything has caused me much anguish, but then the scare came and I wish I would have been even MORE sedentary!

 

I began this recovery with four drains in my body to relieve me of excess fluids my body is creating from the surgery.  The first couple weeks I was filling those babies up a couple times per day.  But, over the next couple weeks I was able to have all but one removed.  Exciting!!  Woo Hoo!

 

About three days ago the stitch that was attached to my body and my tube came loose from my skin and the tube attached to the drain was free to roam.  I did all I could to keep it in place.  After each shower I would tape it to my skin to keep it in place.  I was successful until last night’s shower . . .

 

To save you from the details which may be the ole TMI I’ll just tell you that I am now drain-less but not by choice.  I was freaked out and today stressed out.

(Sorry about the hair . . . It will be gone come race season!)

 

The above pictures are shots of the fluid building under my skin.  It is about the size of a golf ball right now.  Geeeeeesh! 

 

All I am thinking about is . . . “oh man, how long will this set me back from getting on my bike and training!?” 

 

WHY!?

 

Geeeesh.  Leave it to me to screw up relaxing at home and recovering.  I can’t sit still.  I have been working a lot since I can get a lot done without having to be in the office and those distractions, but . . . I wish I could have simply laid on the couch, do nothing, relax, and recover.

 

Crap.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was fortunate enough to get a chance to talk to Dean Karnazes before I did my ultra back in April. Biggest piece of advice he gave me was "If you think you're going too slow, you're going too fast. Slow down."

I know you're not doing an ultra, but maybe this applies to you....or maybe its too late and I'm just kicking you when you're down. Ah well.

Christopher, Amanda, and Babies said...

Thanks Brady man. BTW, Amanda misses her roomie . . .

Amanda said almost the same thing tonight when she got home. She said, "THis is a message that trying to go ride with this group this coming weekend . . . Bad idea."

Miss you Bro.

Jenna said...

Hey...i had some surgery a while ago and I would like to suggest that you take it really easy. I am 5 years post op and sometime, fluid builds up along my surgery site despite it being totally healed - its like there is a little collection pocket there - take care ofyourself now so you dont have the hassles later. Even though it never prevents me from training, it bugs me and deforms me when it "swells" - COngrats on your journey and all the best to you!!!

Christopher, Amanda, and Babies said...

FIVE YEARS! Wow.

I had surgery Dec 3rd. I was thinking about getting back on the bike this weekend . . . Maybe I'll wait.

I'll take any advice, especially from those who have and are going through it.

Thanks Jenna