When Life Gives You Lemons Go For a Bike Ride

WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA

Well, here I go again.

But this doesn’t suck. Cancer sucks.

My knee has been hurting, especially when walking or running. I don’t remember a traumatic injury – in fact, I don’t think there was one. But it was always worse after I played Ultimate (sometimes incorrectly called Ultimate Frisbee). Since there wasn’t an injury I just have to think how long this has been bothering me. Probably about 10 weeks.

I sucked it up. I took a deep breath. I manned up. I went to see my doctor.

My doctor did some range of motion tests and diagnosed it: Torn meniscus.

After the doctor visit I went for a bike ride. There is nothing better to clear the mind and just enjoy the ride. And it was a day that I went over 500 miles for the year — on February 17.

Usually I have 100 miles or less by this date. My fast start? Maybe too good to be true.

I have no answers. I do have fear. Fear that at age 65 I will not be able to walk.

I had foot surgeries in 2003 and 2004. And a torn meniscus in 2006.

 

Wonder what this means?

I have some cycling goals for 2012 — Ride the Rockies. Mount Washington. Now I don’t know.

But my doctor says cycling is the best thing I can do. So I will continue to ride. Even though it hurts.

I’m frustrated. I don’t know what’s next. But when life gives you lemons, go for a bike ride. So I did.

A Doctor’s Diagnosis

WOODBRIDGE, VIRGINIA

For the last month, I was seeing my doctor for knee pain and he had scheduled me for an MRI. I picked up the MRI results to take to him but knew what they contained. The lab had forgotten to include the results in the envelope so they gave them to me to hand-deliver to the doctor. It was clear: a torn MCL.
 
I met with the doctor we discussed what type of lifestyle I wanted to live. When I told him I wasn’t quite ready for the couch he suggested surgery. “Sooner or later,” he asked. When I replied “sooner,” he said he had an opening on Monday. That same day I went to Potomac Hospital for pre-op for the surgery and a wake-up call that would save my life.

Verified by MonsterInsights