Story and recovery days one and two

Hello all,

A lot of things have happened in my life since I last posted a blog. Most important of which is that I'm now a married man! Acey and I have also moved into a new place in Midlothian which has been great so far. We have joined a new church and in turn I have joined two bands, the church worship band at the Midlothian campus of Southside Church of the Nazarene, and a hard rock band called Stoke Row. Im the bass player in both, but play some guitar in the church band.

That pretty much gets us up to speed.

I have also been enveloped in a medical issue that has taken over a large portion of my time energy and sanity.

I started playing tennis this past winter as a way to cross-train with my running and after playing two to three times a week I would get a small twinge in my wrist. It would go away after a bit but it seemed to get worse with time. It finally got to the point where the pain would begin just due to lifting large objects and with any sport or activity where my wrist was used. I shrugged it off as tendonitis and didnt think much of it, I thought I just needed to ice it and rest it.

Soon after we got back from our honeymoon Acey and I went to the gym to workout before going to see the latest Harry Potter flick, while at the gym I joined a pick-up basketball game while Acey was finishing her workout. During the game (in which I was actually playing well) I bumped into this guy who was so big he had his own zip code and my wrist got bent way back and I heard a pop. I got some ice and wrapped it with tape and thought it would be okay later. After some urging from Acey I went to the doctor the next day and I was told I had a sprain after the x ray showed no break.

The following evening I had just gotten back from work and was doing some paperwork on the computer when the doctor called back and informed me that I needed to see an orthopedist as they found what is most likely a tumor in my wrist.

Needless to say at this point I'm kinda freaking out and have no idea whats going to happen next. After meeting with Dr. Desai, the orthopedist I had a MRI done on my wrist along with a full body bone scan. This allowed Dr. Desai to better determine that it was most likely a Giant Cell Tumor of the distal Ulna. The next step was to have a MRI on my brain and a Chest CT to check to see if anything has spread. Those test came back normal and the decision was made to cut the bad piece of bone out and replace it.

On friday I get to the hospital and am feeling very anxious. After I get registered, I change into my gown and start the drugging process. Because the area where they are cutting is extremely sensitive and painful, I had a combination of general anesthesia and a nerve block similar to an epidural. After they started the IV I don't remember much until I woke up in recovery and realized that my arm was immobilized all the way to my armpit and I was in a good bit of pain.

So here's what they did to me...

The doctor made an incision on the outside of my left wrist and cut out the part of the bone that was infected. in its place they installed a prosthesis called a u-head and closed me back up. I came home on saturday after my 3rd round of antibiotics and have had to battle the pain with demerol which wasnt bad when I had the nerve block in place, but since that came out sunday it has been pretty bad at times.

Thank God I have Acey here to look after me and keep me sane. I'm also very lucky to have a understanding boss who is allowing me the time to heal. I have great friends who continue to check on me and my family has been super supportive through this whole ordeal.

i will be checking in while i have the time to these next two weeks and keep yall updated on my healing process as i continue to get better and hopefully pain free!

ok its been a while

OK so its been a while since ive posted anything.  I guess ive been busy with work, training, tennis, wedding planning, etc.  So heres an update about whats going on.

first off... Acey is amazing.  period. I have never seen anyone balance as much as she does and keep a level head.  While I'm training for my first Half Marathon, she is training for her first marathon.  26.2 mi. I am so proud of her for taking that challenge head on!!! on top of that she has grad school (a proud Longwood Lancer), work, planning the wedding, and on top of that dealing with family medical issues.  Just a few of those things are enough to make anyone fall apart, but is able to handle it without freaking out in the least!!! I love her!

On that same note, I glad that my future FIL is well again.  I am glad that he had some great doctors in GSO and he should be back to his old self soon.  Also I ask anyone who reads this to keep Acey's Uncle Mike in their prayers.  He has been bumped up on the heart transplant list and is having surgery this friday to assist his heart function until then.  

The wedding planning is going well.  I actually think that we are on schedule!!! Greensboro in July is going to be great!!

Acey and I found a Church in Richmond, finally!  The commonwealth Chapel.  They have a contemporary service with an energetic pastor.  just what we were looking for!

anyways ill update more later this weekend!!!

Completelyuselessrandomknowledge for the day:

while duke sucks, uva sucks 1000 times worse.  

GSO

Im sitting here in Greensboro tonight and it makes me miss Acey because we will be here in July to get married.

On another note the countdown to football season has officially begun, as the schedules for the ACC were released today. VT has such a great schedule... we get our toughest games at home and every away game is in manageable distance from richmond. we could pull off a complete attendance schedule this year... but more to come on that.

The only bummer about the schedule this year is that the UNC game in Blacksburg is on a thursday night. I hope Acey has vacation left so that she can go. I really hate that it didnt work out on a weekend.

ps... I cant wait to get married.

ok bed time. i have been watching house re-runs and trying to get to sleep

completelyuselessrandomknowledge of the day:

even though i dont like him because he founded the university that I despise, Thomas Jefferson said something over 200 years ago that completely explains our country's current situation:

"When people go to the voting booth to acquire money, democracy cannot survive."

interesting, huh?

Recently...

"Recently I've been all content and dreaming, I've been."

I had to use the Dave Matthews lyric because I'm sitting here watching the Grammy's and trying to decide whether or not its the Grammy's or the MTV awards.

Also because I have been content and dreaming. In two days, I turn 28 and Ive been thinking what Ive done, what I am doing and what I need to be doing in the future.

These past 28 years have been great. I could have done without the bad handling of money and bad career moves... who knew quitting a full time job to become a bartender would be a bad idea? Anyways, the past is the past and I cant hate it because it led me to where I am now...

Speaking of where I am now, I first have to say that I am without a doubt the happiest I have EVER been in my life. I have a GREAT fiancee-soon to be wife, a good job that keeps me busy, awesome family, and a great group of friends that I know will always be there if I ever Need them and a great dog. There are some things missing though..

I think the biggest thing is that although I like my job, my heart isnt in it as much as it should be. I think that is because I feel in my heart that I should be doing something else, Teaching. I think that until I decide to quit my job and get into the classroom I wont be 100% happy. I am afraid that if I stay where I am for too long, I will miss my window of opportunity. Hopefully I will be able to get to that point sooner rather than later.

On another note. I quite possibly saw the best VT basketball game ever! Aside from the wins over UNC (sorry Ace), Duke and Wake to come back from 18 pts down in the 2nd half against NC State was something special. If we can keep it up and have some good showings againt Chapel Hill and Dook in March we can have a good shot at getting into the Tourney!!

I personally have felt this healthy in a long time.. I need to drop some more weight, but with the Running and Tennis every other day, cutting out soda, and watching calorie intake, I'm feeling great and am never stopping!

Completelyuselessrandomknowledge for the day:

Bourbon whiskey is a "Green" Product, not only are the ingredients all natural, but the casks used to age the bourbon have been used before for other products.

random topic but something that just occured to while watching the news

Let me preface this by saying I normally don't think this stuff all the time. 

The Democrats have a overwhelming majority in the House and a majority in the Senate, which means that they can pass ANY bill they want to... So why are they bitching and complaining that no Republicans in Congress are supporting this bailout package of 850 Billion (thats right, billion) dollars.  They are asking for support of a spending package that goes against the financially conservative way of thinking, so the GOP congresspeople wont vote for it.  It's like asking PETA to vote on a law legalizing the clubbing of baby seals because it helps the economy of Iceland.

The only conclusion I can draw is that the Democrats KNOW this "bailout" wont work and just puts us further down the track towards a depression, and they need the Republicans help so the blame wont be solely placed on the left side of the isle.  If they were actually confident that this "bailout" package would work, they would not be complaining and want to take all the credit for its passing and success.  The GOP is actually playing it smart for a change, by letting the democrats pass their bills and watch them fail.  then when the mid term elections come they can overtake Congress again.  It is a vicious cycle that will never be broken because politicians on both sides are more concerned with filling their pockets than really helping the country.  If you want to see how completely full of shit these guys are, go back and think about all the "promises" made by the last 5 Presidents and how many of them actually came to fruition. 

The fact of the matter is, there is no amount of "money" (and I put money in parentheses because the money is not there, nor will it ever be, which is why we are in a state of inflation) that will get the economy back going again, it will require tax cuts to everyone, stability of Interest rates, and bank leniency with bad loans to get the economy moving again.  Frivolously spending money and nationalizing institutions such as banks will only harm our economy and put us on the way towards socialism as a way of life, where there is a glass ceiling, and emphasis is placed on being mediocre and not striving to be better than everyone around you, which, by the way, is what makes this country great.  The fact that if you bust your ass, you can make something of yourself.  Go ahead,  Ask Cuba, North Korea, France, England, Canada, Venezuela, and Iceland how socialism works for them and then ask yourself, why do you rarely if ever hear of an american going to a country with socialized medicine for Surgery, but how many foreigners come over here to get a crack at OUR doctors and surgeons.  our system may suck and leave out a few people here and there, but its better than what they got elsewhere in the world.

ok im done ranting. 

Completelyuselessrandomknowledge for the day..

In order to maintain air speed velocity, a swallow needs to beat its wings 43 times every second

Unforgiveable!

I want a chicken sammich, and some waffle fries.... FO FREE!!!

DAMMIT!! We (as in VT) just gave up a 15 point lead to Klumpson and lost in the last minute.

Im just happy that we somewhat matter in Basketball now that we are in the ACC. I think we have a great coach and good talent coming in and Im really excited to have something to watch in the winter until spring football starts!!

As for Malcom Delaney, he is ON FIRE!!! He has set himself up as one of the premier scorers in the country... and he is only a sophomore!! he has devloped a complete game and if Hank Thorns can not turn the ball over and develop into an offensive threat, those two guys could become a more potent, Dowdell and Gordon.

on another note, Im happy with my training so far... I ran 2 miles today at a sub 12 min. pace for the first time in a long time and am feeling good!

completelyuselessrandomknowledge for the day:

the easiest way to check whether one needs stability and/or motion control shoes for running is to stand with feet 2 inches apart and bend at the knees until ones feet are no longer visible. if the ankles point inward, you may need stability or motion control shoes to aid in the aviodance of injury.

so much stuff

so... for my first entry in this blog (which was inspired by my awesome fiancee) i just thought i would just give a general update on the goings on in my life.

first, I'm in training for my first half-marathon. I just started the second week of my training program and I actually feel great. Acey introduced me to the world of running a year ago, right after we first started dating. I have lost weight and feel sooo much better on a daily basis. I don't drag around anymore requiring a HEAVY dose of caffine in the morning to wake-up and then alcohol to get to sleep. I am hoping to get into better shape and lose the so dubbed "palace that budweiser built" that i have had since college. With the running, combined with joining a tennis league this spring, I hope to ensure that I will have a much better quality of life. I think the hardest part is learning to control what I cram in my face. Its tough being on the road as much as I am to keep calories down, but now that I have cut out all sodas and have been watching my portions, I think that I can finally get healthy!

Acey and I are in the middle of planning our wedding that is coming up in July. I will just say that it is so phenomonal to have such great families on both sides that have made this, for all intents and purposes, a pleasant experience. so far we have the scheme, date, venues, guest lists, and save the dates done. Its great to be doing this stuff with Acey and I really appreciate the amount of patience that she has with me.

Work is work. I hope that my salary will be reinstated in full and my expenses return to normal soon. It will really help us out. I know that there are other things that I want to do in my life but there is a calming feeling knowing that even though you may not like your job all of the time, you are good at it. I guess I shouldn't call it a job because it technically is a career. Hopefully I will be able to use my Degrees and eventually get into the classroom... One day.

It is nice to be in a place where I know I wont have to move for the next couple of years. It will give Ace and I the chance to really decide where we want to be and raise a family and the good thing is that if the economy gets worse we both have outstanding educations and skills to fall back on that will also allow us to be whereever we want to be!

Well, that is all for now,

completelyuselessrandomknowledge for the day,

The word "Hokie" has no meaning. It was invented by OM Stull, a former Cadet at Virginia Tech in 1896, as part of a contest to create a cheer for the football team. the "Old Hokie" cheer is still used at VT sporting events. The Hokiebird mascot, which resembles a turkey, was derived from the former nickname of the sports teams, the "Fighting Gobblers". The Gobbler moniker was created because in the early days of VT football, the team used to "gobble" their food in the mess hall. The colors of the Mascot, and the University, Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange, are unique to VT. No other school in the nation has that unique color combination. The original colors of the school were Black and Cadet Grey, the administration chose to change the colors in order to distinguish themselves from other Military schools.