April 9th - D+51 I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings

A lot has happened since my last post, and reviewing where I was 4 weeks ago, a lot of progress has been made. Around 3 weeks ago (4 weeks post-op), I was able to start walking without crutches within my Aircast boot. The extra mobility felt amazing in comparison to previously having to carry and fumble with crutches.

My physiotherapy has also progressed significantly – initially I had exercises to flex my ankle vertically and horizontally to reactivate the ligaments, tendon and muscle. Along with this were a number of static or low movement strengthening exercises to rebuild the leg muscles, particularly the hamstrings and quads. This has all now progressed to extended stretching exercises for legs an ankle (my flexibility has improved greatly) and additional strengthening exercises including using the leg press.

Most significantly of all, last week I started using the G-Trainer, a zero-gravity treadmill designed by NASA. This allows me to start ‘walking’ far earlier than normal, by creating a weightless environment from the waist down (see photos). Under Regan’s supervision, the weight was adjusted to around 20% of my bodyweight – and I started walking barefoot. It was a strange and unsettling experience, particularly since my left side is now very flat footed and over-pronates severely – I am essentially learning how to walk again. Progress has been quick; today I was walking at moderate to fast pace carrying 55% of my bodyweight.

The next steps are for the Aircast boot to come off next week, replaced by an Aircast ankle stirrup (I’m doing my bit for Aircast Corp. during the recession). Frustratingly, this means a return to crutches at first as my ankle will be highly vulnerable and less support.

One note of caution for anyone else who suffers a similar injury – last week, I hit the wall mentally and it will probably happen to you too. Until now I had been very matter of fact and positive about the 6-month slog ahead of me but it got the better of me last Wednesday. Despite the progress, I had set my expectations unrealistically high, expecting to be running soon. Instead, I was cautiously taking flat footed steps on the G-Trainer. Coupled with the sunny weather outside and the sight of lithe blonde joggers around Clapham Common, I suddenly felt frustrated and angry at having such a long recovery ahead of me and being unable to join in. This is, apparently, quite normal. I’m now determined again. Determined to be running in a month. Determined to be football training in late July and playing again in August. In a couple of weeks, I will be getting a personal trainer too. My goal for the end of the summer is to be bigger and stronger, and carved from mahogany.

Other news:
Suit fitting
My brother, his other best man and I had second suit fittings for the wedding. The tailor was highly amused by the apparatus on my leg, making a glib remark about “one flared leg” on my new trousers. He did however, describe my shoulders as “powerful”. That's good enough - when he measure my bakcside last time, he said "Ooh, you're not fitting into your last trousers anymore, are you sir?".

Stag do
Four days in Puerto Banus that were an outstanding tribute to the stamina and endurance that a male body can produce when it has to. Watching the game of volleyball in the pool from sun lounger was frustrating but the Aircast came into its own on nights out, attracting plenty of useful attention. Even more so, when I replied “Shark attack” to anyone who asked what had happened.

Albion Semi-Final
My team (http://www.albionfc.co.uk/) had a cup semi-final which I watched from the touchline with a cantankerous demeanour. We lost 5-2. I'd rather not say anymore. Except that my mate Dave managed to quite comically, break his wedding ring finger into a crazy shape - 2 weeks before his wedding.

Stats & highlights
Days until Dave & Laura’s wedding: 2
Current reading: On Chesil Beach
Music: One Day Like This (Elbow)

Liver & brain cells destroyed in last 7 days: ~1.5 billion