clavicle

Today was my last scheduled appointment with my orthopedic surgeon, though I think I'll schedule one more since they're apparently free with the purchase of $20,000 worth of surgery. My clavicle isn't completely healed yet, but it's progressing as expected. In another month I should be as normal as I ever was.

I totally forgot to do this:

"So, doc, can I do cartwheels now?"

"Sure."

"Holy shit, I've never been able to do cartwheels!"

Oh yeah, my shoulder. Kinda forgot about this whole thing because moving has completely taken over my brain.

I had my last PT appointment today, and I'm officially done! My progress has been good, and I've earned the Small Flashlight of Completion:

So, back to normal activity short of swinging things like splitting wood or pounding stakes. That puts my Lumberjack World Championship training on pause, but means I no longer have a good excuse for not doing most of my chores.

Meeting with my doctor next week, when hopefully I'll have some shiny new x-rays to share.

I thought my chest looked more ample than before.

So now I know what the going rate is for a chunk of surgical titanium and some screws.

After breaking a tire lever getting the studded tires off my bike, I put on the summer tires and gave everything a once-over. My bike fared much better in the crash than I did. There was a small scuff mark on the right handlebar grip, a paint scuff on the top tube that came from somewhere, and that's about it. Oh, a hole in my bar mitts. I'm gonna find little helmet and collarbone "kill" stickers to put on the frame somewhere.

Anyway, I followed Nancy as she ran her 12-miler today.

It was great. No shoulder issues, no ass issues, only some cold toes (I've already packed away my booties). The weather was very pleasant, and Nancy pulled off the run without a hitch.

Looks like I'll be able to resume bike commuting tomorrow. Woo hoo!

(physical therapist): So, you know, you could probably start doing some running.

 (me): WOO HOO!

 ...

 : So, she said I can start running again!

 (Nancy): WOO HOO!

One hour later...

My PT says I'm doing well, and has started me on cable weight machines. I'll go three times a week to the SDC Fitness Center to do a prescribed routine, and I can start running 20 minutes at a time as long as there's no pain or discomfort.

Tonight we ran a mile, walked a mile, and ran another mile. The only discomfort I had was after looking at my heart rate. Holy crap am I out of shape. Walking up a hill, my heart rate was the same as when I was running a month ago. Oh well, it'll get better.

In other good news, I can start biking outdoors as soon as whatever distance I'll be going outside (e.g. my commute) is comfortable on the trainer. I could probably start commuting again this week, but I'll try a couple of rides this weekend to see what it feels like. 

I had my first physical therapy session yesterday. I'd already met my physical therapist (she's Nancy's too), so maybe she was taking it easy on me, because it really wasn't too bad at all. My range of motion is limited, but my shoulder just feels stiff, not painful at all.

So I have lots of silly-looking exercises to do twice a day until my visit next week. Then hopefully I'll be using a cable machine with weights, and can start strengthening exercises. I'm able to use my right arm all day to do normal stuff (short of lifting or punching my coworkers), though the incision still feels strange sometimes, and I think I can feel the plate as my shoulder moves around.

Just doing some planning here - some dates I'm thinking about.

• Apr 01: next PT session
• Apr 08: RAGBRAI training start (on the bike trainer)
• Apr 22: six weeks from surgery; hopefully I can start running and biking outside
• Apr 30: follow-up appointment with my surgeon
• May 11: Journeys 5K

Today was my first follow-up appointment after my collarbone surgery. I got my staples removed (the staple-looking things in the x-ray above), which didn't hurt at all. No updated x-ray yet; this one's from my surgery.

I don't have to wear a sling unless my shoulder is uncomfortable, which it typically isn't. And I'm cleared for riding my bike trainer! Woo!

Physical therapy starts on Monday, which should be fun.

Where "saddle" is depressingly "my office chair".

Also, I'm sleeping without being propped up now, and only taking a little ibuprofen for pain. I can't wait to get this bandage off in a week.