I ended up running about 30 minutes total and walking a little more than that for about a 1.25 hour length of exercise. It was great to be out and about! I didn't even bring my iPod, I just took the time to work things through my mind and enjoy the outdoors. : ) I even brought a few dollars to run a few errands and the end of my workout. It felt good and I iced my knee when I got home. Sure, my knee was a little achy/burning afterwards, but that was to be expected. It was a nice time.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
A Run (with Hills)
Today I ran and walked through my neighborhood. It was a pretty day and I knew there was rain coming soon and my surgery pending. I may as well get in a workout! I chose to take the route all the way down Jackson Street until it dead ends at Arguello near an entrance to The Presidio and back. Yes, there were hills. No, I haven't run hills in some time, but I didn't care. I just wanted to be outside and burn some calories.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Thank You Aunt Berri...
... for the wonderful Bottomley family calendar! I even bought a new pin board to display it on my wall. I'm looking forward to many more months of 2009, seeing family photos and keeping track of upcoming birthdays and anniversaries.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Welcome Home Joseph Paul!
Yesterday I had the privilege of meeting my friends Kim and Aaron's baby boy Joseph Paul. Joseph arrived 7 weeks early while Kim and Aaron were on their "baby moon" (last trip together before having their first child) in Maui! He's tiny, but he's a healthy little boy. I held him for a long time and he barely made a peep! I'm looking forward to seeing him grow up. I'm sure he's going to be joining his parents in their athletic endeavors at a very young age. Mountain biking, swimming, running... which one first? I'm sure he'll love them all.
Joseph Paul Svitana
Born December 31, 2008
4 pounds, 7 ounces
17 inches
Monday, January 19, 2009
Whoop, There It Is!
It took a little longer this time, with more exercise than usual, but yesterday the pain came back to my left knee. I'm the only one who knows how it feels so it's hard to explain. It's simply an achy pain that sometimes burns and throbs. When I bend my knee, there is a dull ache.
Today, I have to say, my knee doesn't feel worse. Usually two days after the workout that flared my knee up again, it doesn't feel any better. Today, it feels OK. I'm not sure what to think of that, but I'll rest today, then see if I can fit in some exercise tomorrow. Trial and error is the name of the game right now!
Today, I have to say, my knee doesn't feel worse. Usually two days after the workout that flared my knee up again, it doesn't feel any better. Today, it feels OK. I'm not sure what to think of that, but I'll rest today, then see if I can fit in some exercise tomorrow. Trial and error is the name of the game right now!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
I'm Confused
Why is it now that my knee suddenly feels better? I just don't get it. Over the last 2 weeks I've been running and riding my bike on my trainer. Before I started the new exercise I figured, why not? What harm will it do? Sure, maybe my knee would flare up a bit, big deal! Been there, done that. Since January 2 I have been running three times, for about 30 minutes each time, with a little walking to warm up and warm down. I have also hopped on my trainer at home twice. My poor bike! The tires were flat and the battery in my bike computer was dead. No matter. I pumped up the tires with air and just used the clock to cycle at a comfortable pace for 30-35 minutes. Stretching was included after each workout, as well as the normal icing.
It's the strangest thing. I have felt a few aches in my knee, but nothing even close to what I have felt before. In the past there has been the kind of aching and burning that makes it clear, it's time to stop and rest. Don't get me wrong. My knee doesn't feel like it has totally healed. It still feels different than my right knee. My left knee is still a little swollen, as typical. It swells up a bit more after a workout, but so far there has been no pain.
If I could predict anything, it would be that it's only a matter of time. Yes, maybe right now I can do more than I have over the past two and a half years. Yes, maybe even my Mom's theory is correct. She thinks that one day my knee will heal on it's own it's just taking much longer than I ever wanted it to take. My guess is that my knee will start to hurt soon. The swelling means to me that the inflammation is still in there and will no go away without a Dr. taking it out. Of course I am considering canceling my surgery, I am really confused. If I cancel my surgery, I'm afraid my knee will flare up the week after Feb 11 (the date of my scope). The thing that scares me most is that Dr. Dye said I cannot leave a long-term inflammation in my knee. Eventually, it will start breaking down the cartilage inside. That would make things much worse in the long run, right? Life sure is confusing sometimes.
It's the strangest thing. I have felt a few aches in my knee, but nothing even close to what I have felt before. In the past there has been the kind of aching and burning that makes it clear, it's time to stop and rest. Don't get me wrong. My knee doesn't feel like it has totally healed. It still feels different than my right knee. My left knee is still a little swollen, as typical. It swells up a bit more after a workout, but so far there has been no pain.
If I could predict anything, it would be that it's only a matter of time. Yes, maybe right now I can do more than I have over the past two and a half years. Yes, maybe even my Mom's theory is correct. She thinks that one day my knee will heal on it's own it's just taking much longer than I ever wanted it to take. My guess is that my knee will start to hurt soon. The swelling means to me that the inflammation is still in there and will no go away without a Dr. taking it out. Of course I am considering canceling my surgery, I am really confused. If I cancel my surgery, I'm afraid my knee will flare up the week after Feb 11 (the date of my scope). The thing that scares me most is that Dr. Dye said I cannot leave a long-term inflammation in my knee. Eventually, it will start breaking down the cartilage inside. That would make things much worse in the long run, right? Life sure is confusing sometimes.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Good Correspondence with Dr. Dye - II
After my first correspondence with Dr. Dye, I still had questions. Here is my second email:
Dr. Dye,
1) You mention "multi factorial" and that you are addressing the synovitis component of my knee pain. What are the other factors do you feel have lent to my pain? I imagine the synovitis is a result of some other factor such as patellofemoral syndrome. Is this correct? My main concern is that once I am through the synovectomy and slowly on my way to recovery, what can I do to keep this from happening all over again? If I don't know what exactly caused this problem to begin with, what can I do differently in the future?
4) New question. What percentage of your patients are athletes compared to patients with degenerative issues due to age or poor mechanics? Do you see many patients similar to myself? If so, how many of them experience a full recovery?
Thank you for your quick response to my email. I appreciate you being open to answering my questions.
Alexandra
Dr. Dye's response:
We often don't know all the factors that contribute to kneecap pain, but excessive loading is common to all such knees. The most important thing following surgery is prevent excessive forces out of the envelope of load acceptance for an extended period of time. It takes a year to a year and a half to maximally heal a knee, typically. It also depends on the 3rd leg of the stool (Dr Dye says recovery is a three-legged stool, 1) surgery, 2) taking care of myself after surgery and 3) --the biology of your knee., including the extent of the pathology discovered and the effectiveness of your healing properties as encoded in your DNA. We won't know until we "cross that bridge" Most people 85- 90% do well.
4) about 50% and yes most improve substantially as a function of their unique biological circumstances.
Best wishes, Dr. Dye
I am impressed with Dr. Dye's response to my questions. Most doctors take quite some time to get back to you and when they do, the answers are even more vague than the ones I received from Dr. Dye. Still, he did answer the best way he could as a doctor and did not make any promises.
Dr. Dye,
1) You mention "multi factorial" and that you are addressing the synovitis component of my knee pain. What are the other factors do you feel have lent to my pain? I imagine the synovitis is a result of some other factor such as patellofemoral syndrome. Is this correct? My main concern is that once I am through the synovectomy and slowly on my way to recovery, what can I do to keep this from happening all over again? If I don't know what exactly caused this problem to begin with, what can I do differently in the future?
4) New question. What percentage of your patients are athletes compared to patients with degenerative issues due to age or poor mechanics? Do you see many patients similar to myself? If so, how many of them experience a full recovery?
Thank you for your quick response to my email. I appreciate you being open to answering my questions.
Alexandra
Dr. Dye's response:
We often don't know all the factors that contribute to kneecap pain, but excessive loading is common to all such knees. The most important thing following surgery is prevent excessive forces out of the envelope of load acceptance for an extended period of time. It takes a year to a year and a half to maximally heal a knee, typically. It also depends on the 3rd leg of the stool (Dr Dye says recovery is a three-legged stool, 1) surgery, 2) taking care of myself after surgery and 3) --the biology of your knee., including the extent of the pathology discovered and the effectiveness of your healing properties as encoded in your DNA. We won't know until we "cross that bridge" Most people 85- 90% do well.
4) about 50% and yes most improve substantially as a function of their unique biological circumstances.
Best wishes, Dr. Dye
I am impressed with Dr. Dye's response to my questions. Most doctors take quite some time to get back to you and when they do, the answers are even more vague than the ones I received from Dr. Dye. Still, he did answer the best way he could as a doctor and did not make any promises.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Good Correspondence with Dr. Dye - I
So, I've been second-guessing myself as I'm now 5 weeks away from my second knee scope. *Gulp* Dr. Dye's assistant gave me his email address before Christmas and was basically staring at it since thinking about the questions I want to ask him. It's taken me weeks to finally write. I'm happy to say I had some quick, efficient email correspondences a few days ago.
Here is my first email to Dr. Dye:
Dear Dr. Dye,
I have scheduled my left knee Synovectomy for Feb. 11, 2009, a little over a month from now. I have some questions prior to my surgery.
1) Now that I set the date of my surgery, I'm suddenly second-guessing myself. I asked many questions during our last follow-up appointment back in October, but since a few months have passed I need to ask again. I have been suffering from my left knee pain for almost 3 years and this will be my second attempt at arthroscopic surgery. The last one did not help although did not make the pain worse. Based on how long I have been sidelined from this overuse injury, will it ever go away on it's own without surgery? I'm sorry I have to ask. I remember you mentioning if the inflammation is not removed, it will eventually start breaking down cartilage in my knee. That sounds like reason enough to get in there to me, but I just want to make sure I have all the information. I do not take any kind of surgery lightly.
2) I am taking 10 days off work after my scope, as you recommend. That said, I travel every few weeks for work. Is there a certain amount of time you advise that I should not get on an airplane? Little leg room and changing air pressure can cause some stiffness in my knee once I have arrived at my destination. I wouldn't want this to hinder my recovery, but I do need to plan ahead in case a colleague will need to help cover some of my travel for a short time.
3) Will I receive additional information on the post-surgery recovery plan before my scope? I have your instructions in icing and rest, but I'm curious about physical therapy and how quickly that will need to ensue. I had a hard time setting up my PT appointments last time around (had to wait awhile before I could start), so I wonder if I should set up my initial appointments now. Please let me know if there are any specific PT's you prefer I see.
Thank you for your time.
Best,
Alexandra Bottomley
Alexandra,
1) It's doubtful this will get better on its' own with the symptoms lasting this long. The source of your pain is no doubt, multi factorial -- the synovitis component is one which can be safely addressed with gentle surgery like we are planning. The idea is to clear out a roadblock that is delaying your knees' ability to restore homeostasis - heal itself.
2) I would recommend not traveling by plane for 4-6 weeks.
3) You could go ahead and make an initial Post Operative physical therapy appt with the the PT dept at this campus (who know well my philosophy) on the Wed following your surgery (Feb 18th) call 600 ----.
If you have any more questions , please re-contact me.
Dr. Dye
Here is my first email to Dr. Dye:
Dear Dr. Dye,
I have scheduled my left knee Synovectomy for Feb. 11, 2009, a little over a month from now. I have some questions prior to my surgery.
1) Now that I set the date of my surgery, I'm suddenly second-guessing myself. I asked many questions during our last follow-up appointment back in October, but since a few months have passed I need to ask again. I have been suffering from my left knee pain for almost 3 years and this will be my second attempt at arthroscopic surgery. The last one did not help although did not make the pain worse. Based on how long I have been sidelined from this overuse injury, will it ever go away on it's own without surgery? I'm sorry I have to ask. I remember you mentioning if the inflammation is not removed, it will eventually start breaking down cartilage in my knee. That sounds like reason enough to get in there to me, but I just want to make sure I have all the information. I do not take any kind of surgery lightly.
2) I am taking 10 days off work after my scope, as you recommend. That said, I travel every few weeks for work. Is there a certain amount of time you advise that I should not get on an airplane? Little leg room and changing air pressure can cause some stiffness in my knee once I have arrived at my destination. I wouldn't want this to hinder my recovery, but I do need to plan ahead in case a colleague will need to help cover some of my travel for a short time.
3) Will I receive additional information on the post-surgery recovery plan before my scope? I have your instructions in icing and rest, but I'm curious about physical therapy and how quickly that will need to ensue. I had a hard time setting up my PT appointments last time around (had to wait awhile before I could start), so I wonder if I should set up my initial appointments now. Please let me know if there are any specific PT's you prefer I see.
Thank you for your time.
Best,
Alexandra Bottomley
Dr. Dye's answer:
Alexandra,
1) It's doubtful this will get better on its' own with the symptoms lasting this long. The source of your pain is no doubt, multi factorial -- the synovitis component is one which can be safely addressed with gentle surgery like we are planning. The idea is to clear out a roadblock that is delaying your knees' ability to restore homeostasis - heal itself.
2) I would recommend not traveling by plane for 4-6 weeks.
3) You could go ahead and make an initial Post Operative physical therapy appt with the the PT dept at this campus (who know well my philosophy) on the Wed following your surgery (Feb 18th) call 600 ----.
If you have any more questions , please re-contact me.
Dr. Dye
Monday, January 5, 2009
Welcome 2009!
I can't believe it's already 5 days into 2009 and this is my first post of the year! I'll try to keep it short, but sweet. I went for my first run of the year last Friday, January 2nd. In comparison to the half hour run I embarked on about two weeks prior, it felt awful! Honestly, I really haven't put on a lot of holiday weight, I promise! My knee didn't hurt or anything, my body just felt like lead and I never really got into the running groove. Oh well, I guess even when I don't run nearly as much as I used to, there are still "good runs" and "bad runs."
It ended up being a pretty afternoon, the second day of January. The morning was rainy and I headed down to the nice, flat dirt path thinking I would be dealing with the elements. Nope. It was beautiful, albeit a little windy. This photo is of "Hoppers Hands" my turnaround point next to Fort Point. Some people make sure they touch the hands before they turn around. Me? I tap the paws prints at the bottom with my foot. I'm not normally concerned about germs, but there is something about touching those hands when I know hundreds of people have done so all day long. The paws are much more safe. ; )
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