In search of old age PRs

February 2013

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15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

Salt Lake City,UT,USA

Member Since:

Sep 25, 2007

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

All running accomplishments are Post Teenage Years:

17:06 5K--Murray 2014

16:58 5K (aided)--Running of the Leopards 2010

34:41--10K Deseret News 2018 (aided)

1:16--(aided) Hobble Creek Half 2009

2:43--St. George Marathon 2012

Short-Term Running Goals:

Sub 2:50 Ogden Marathon

Sub 17:00 at Draper 5K

Long-Term Running Goals:

Sub 2:40 Marathon

 

Personal:

Married to Elizabeth (she got me running in 2003). We have three boys, Lucas (12) , Sam (8) and Ollie (5).

Many years ago, I read that the AVERAGE male is capable of a 2:40 marathon.  I decided to test that theory.  I began running in 2003 with Top of Utah as my first marathon (4:24).  I need 3 more minutes.

"Life is short...running makes it seem longer."--Baron Hansen

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Two big left calf cramps last night and difficult to sleep.  Seems like the injection may have made things worse.  My left leg muscles and butt are twitching a lot due to the nerve pressure.  I may have to take a muscle relaxer today if things don't calm down.  I'm anxious to move forward with the surgery since the longer you wait the more likely you will have nerve damage. 

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Worse day ever.  I wonder if this is how Dean Karnazes felt after running his 50 marathons in 50 days.  Nasty left calf cramping couple with sciatic nerve issues makes for a bad day.  I debated about driving to the hospital, looking for any doctor with a scalpel and demanding they start surgery!

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Improvement from Saturday.  I will continue to live!  Shuffled through Target today.  Debated about driving an electric cart...kids would have loved it.  

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Weird right hand numbness.  The nervous system is a fascinating thing.  Looking forward to surgeon appoints on Wednesday and Thursday.  Worried about permanent nerve damage constantly.

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Another painful night with the left leg.  Ready to get this over with!  

Saw some of my first medical bills:  Urgent Care Clinic $95--referred me to Tosh Clinci $140--TOSH MRI $2,190--Back Injection $975=$3,400.  Surgeon appointments this week, so the cost go up (BUT WORTH EVERY PENNY)!

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AM: Found a way to stop left leg calf cramping at night; however, it involves waking up every 2 hours and walking around the house.  Happy day today--first surgeon appointment!

PM: Met with Dr. Armen Khachatryan today.  The visit begin with a nurse, then x-rays, followed by a nurse practitioner.  After he was filled in, Dr. K came in.  They were very concern about the leg weakness.  I recommended surgery immediately to minimize nerve damage.  I had planned to see a Neurosurgeon on Thursday, but now I'm having surgery that day--8 AM, Jordan Valley Medical Center!   

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Microdiscectomy surgery on my L4/L5 disk this morning at Jordan Valley Medical Center by Dr. Armen Khachatryan.  Surgery took about 30 minutes.  Left leg is back to normal!  I can control my foot and move my toes.  My leg strength is also returning.  My back is a little sore, but not painful.  Hopefully, this means little scar tissue.  I walked around the hospital and felt great.  They will keep me here for 23 hours (insurance thing) for observation.  Glad to be moving forward and recovering finally!

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Home today.  Doctor said the disc material he removed from my back is some of the most he has ever seen (and he does 75 microdiskectomies a year).  They had my left leg nerve hooked to a monitoring device and saw it baseline/return to normal as soon as the material was removed (which he gave me--cool).  Leg pain and numbness is gone.  No more pins and needles across my foot.  I can move my left leg and toes normally.  The strength is about 60%, but better than the 10% I had going in; however, the strength will increase.  

Dr. Armen Khachatryan was great and so was the Jordan Valley Medical Center.  As I was discharged, the hospital called me up and told me I would get a 25% discount if I pay cash within 14 days.  I don't have a bill yet, but they estimated $2,400.  I know that's just the hospital, but that seems like a great price.  I will post more pricing as it rolls in.

No physical activity for 3 weeks.  Also, probably no running for 3 months, but hopefully some pool running soon. 

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Changed my back dressing yesterday--gross!  Took a photo of it along with the pulled out disc material for the archives.  Leg is feeling great, but incision hurts.  It does feel better each morning.  I'm not supposed to lift more than 4 pounds...how many pounds is a gallon of milk?

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Less incision pain today-yeah!  Received the epidural back injection bill.  Doctor submitted $975, but the insurance rate was $544.  That seems like a good price.  Also, Jordan Valley Hospital called and offered me a cash discount of 25% if I pay this week (lol).  Should be around $2,500 which I think is also a very good price for surgery and 23 hours of care.

The only medication I need now is hydrocodone/acetaminophen for pain and inflammation.  I try to take the minimum to get by which is 2 in the morning and 2 at night. 

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A little sciatica pain in my butt when I first wake up.  But after walking around for a while it goes away.  I expect this to go away once the nerve has healed.  Still bleeding from the incision.  I may call the Doctor today to make sure that is normal.    

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Doctor's office had me come in to inspect my incision.  They are worried about infection.  They gave me a prescription for an antibiotic call ciprofloxacin.  I also had to get my blood drawn so they can compare it with next week's deposit!  

After the Dr. visit, I went across the street to Jordan Valley Medical to review my hospital bill.  The total was $11,427.  The Bluecross adjusted rate came to $9,239.  My 30% portion came to 2771.00, but was given a cash discount (lol) to bring it down to even $2,000. 

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Very dizzy today, low energy and lost of incision blood loss--but my leg and back feel great!

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Big improvement from Saturday.  My incision looks 100% better, less blood loss and less loopyness.

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The bleeding has stopped!  It is now a gnarly looking scab.  I'm excited to be done with the bandages.  One more week until my post-op with the Doctor then I should be cleared for non-impact things such as pool running.

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Tried to go cold turkey off the oxycodone.  24-hours later my leg hurt too much to work, so I'm back on the juice and back at 100%.  I'll probably try again with high amounts (800 mg) of ibuprofen this weekend.

Also, more blood work today to see how the infection is doing. 

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Blood work confirms infection is gone.  3 week post-op next week...looking for approval to do some pool running!

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No oxycodone needed all weekend!  Also, no longer wearing a bandage-scab is looking good.  I'm still going to wait on "exercise" until my Dr. meeting later this week. 

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Inspired by this study in 2008: 

http://www.healio.com/orthopedics/journals/ortho/%7B7cd6de7f-5f16-4526-8195-71ca6d8f9f59%7D/sporting-activity-following-discectomy-for-lumbar-disc-herniation#

I will try to go through the day with no medication including acetaminophen and ibuprofen.

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Post-op follow up with Dr. Khachatryan today.  He commented that the incision looks good, but I have to wait 2 more weeks before beginning pool running.  I can start the elliptical or biking next week!  No impact (i.e. running) until May to give the annulus tear time to heal and close-up. He told me I've already lost about 30% of my nucleus or disc, so I don't want to risk more.  My visits with him are done--now its just a waiting game for healing. 

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