The time has come to resume normal life.. Whatever that is....

Let this be known...... True to my Aries nature, I am a Ram. A gypsy in my own kingdom where conformity has no relevance.  With that said, the time has finally arrived..... The bone has healed. The transition to a normal life is picking up speed now. I return to work with no restrictions Feb 2nd. I'm also taking full advantage of Golds Gym and getting my body back in shape...... It's about damn time...... The last 6 or so months have been amazing. In every sense. A true test of my patience, spirit, and will, as well as a sleepless nightmare full of humility, anger, frustration and doubt.  I cant believe that just 2 months back, I was still having trouble getting my clothes on. I could barely pull pants or shorts over my left leg. Worse yet, was my attempts at putting on socks and finally shoes. Tough to do when you cant bend your leg. I could go on, but you guys have heard my rants about this enough already. One of the things I was told early on, was the possibility that I may lose the mobility of my left leg. That I would not be able to ever ride my bicycle or run again not to mention the fact that even walking would become a challenge. But here most recently noted, that's not the case. Thanks to a lot of hard, painfull work, a will to succeed and a strong support group behind me. Seems I'll be plagued by arthritis in the knee, and at some point it could ware out. But, I have resumed to riding a bike and regained 75 percent mobility in my leg. As for the knee wearing out, Time will tell... That is not going to stop me, nor will it slow me down. Why should it? As said "life is only what you make it" My couch will not become my death bed!  With so much idle time, I have been able to take a hard look at my inner spirit, force myself to move forward, and find new direction along the way. This period of time has been one of the toughest points of my life no doubt. However, from it, I gained a greater knowledge of who I am and what I want of my life.  Sorry to some of you, but, I will not be giving up motorcycle riding. The intense urge to race is gone(At least for now), but the desire to ride is as strong as ever. I love it too much. Blame my dad if you will. He's the one who started the fire in me as a very young boy. Ah, just kidding! Cant blame Dad. Although it was short lived, as pops gave up dirtbikes to pursue another racing adventure.. The hope that someday I'd get my own motocross bike lived on. It was always a dream as I grew up to get a dirt bike and go ride from sun up to sun down. The key to keeping that flame lit....I didnt live far from a local Honda dealership as a kid. Seems every chance I got, I would sneak down there to look at the new dirt bikes. Shhh. Dont tell mom and dad. HAHA! I think I was about 8 years old when I got to ride a motorcycle for the first time. It was a friends bike that was loaned to my dad for my pleasure. Yes, it scared the hell out of me. But was it as blast. Twisting that throttle was heaven. Too bad the days were already numbered! Then later in my teens I got another shot with a good friend of mine, Trevor. That was the spark that set off the real passion. Of course it was also short lived. But, when I got out of the Navy at the age of 23 the desire was as strong as ever and well here we are today!  Those of you that really know me, especially from my competitive track and cross country days, know how deep I get when it comes to being passionate. Talk about mental. I get this tunnel vision with a one track mind and I think everyone is the enemy! Then, I go all in and I just train till my mind explodes. Well thats the same basic thing that happened with me again. I broke my leg the first time and well... Wait a minute. Actually before the broken leg, there was a broken wrist, then the dislocated finger, then the broken collar bone, and then the broken legs... Ok so anyway, I got it in my head that I'm tougher than that and I was not going to let an injury stop me no matter how severe. I jumped into last season like a raging bull on a brand new bike that I didnt have set up for my ride style yet(Still Dont). Virtually no seat time. I didnt really know what the bike was capable of or how it needed to be ridden. And well I took off like a mad dog untill I got bit again! Hmm? Worse part of this whole deal, my family paid the price too. I would stop at nothing, even ignoring Karma. In nearly every one of these bone shattering incidents, There were deep signs of energy trying to steer me away from the event of the day to come, but I ignored them. In my raging pursuit I seemingly forgot about my Family in an effort to fulfill my passion. Thats was the mistake of all mistakes and both my family and I paid dearly for it. I became so obsessed and intense with racing that I was putting everything aside to pursue my childhood dream. Chasing after a piece plastic otherwise known as a "Trophy" and the fame of being on that so called podium. Yes, it's been a rough couple of years, but I think I have finally learned the life lesson that I had tried to ignore far too long....I think it's all finally come full cirlce. There is no denying that feeling of riding on the edge. I love it, I just cant explain that feeling well enough. It goes something like this. In high school, I once got into a debate with a smart assed Senior Varsity football player over the Wuss factor of being a distance runner???? Time to expand somebody's mind... This conversation came up cause I had just got my Varsity Lettermans Jacket and was wearing it to school for the first time(as a Junior). The conversation went something like this. I asked the guy what it felt like when he made the perfect play. That great tackle. Think about it. I mean everything just comes together so well it surreal. There is a rush of excitement in the mind like no other. A rage of intensity that just overwhelms you. The internal flame becomes a blow torch of energy. Well thats what I got out of running, it's what i get out of having a familly, my home, learning to play my guitars, and yes Riding and Racing my Motorcycles............ It's the positive mental energy that feeds my life and pushes me to excel. To exceed expectation. It's my freedom. What makes me who I am.

2009... Here I come......

Finally,

It appears I'll going back to work on February 2.  Still Cant believe it.  It's been an amazing ride. 

Well after 2 opinions, I have come to accept the terms... It's healed!  The bone is healed anyway.. I still have a ways to go.   Some swelling in the knee, but over time that will go down.  There is a lot of scar tissue in the knee joint that needs to be worked out and a whole lot of atrophy to overcome.  So that means I need to really hit the Gym hard now. Both Doctors I saw said pretty much the same thing.  Get on a bike and pedal your ass off.  Really, they both told me that was the best way to work out all that scar tissue and rebuild my leg muscles.  Both Doctors stated much of the same with their final evaluations of my knee.  Basically the bone is solid and as strong as it will ever be.   Well Hell, let me just relay this Email I got:

To:

Scott W

From:

WILLIAM DO

Received:

1/21/09 9:11 AM

I will place a VOT in the computer for return to work on Monday Feb 2. You may stop by the office to pick it up at your leiseure. Just tell the staff to print most recent VOT.

Keep up the good work at the gym. As far as the PT advice, There is some potential truth in it but as a general statement I would disregard it. You may get arthritis in that knee. When - no one knows. You may be limited in activities by pain. Keep using and trying the knee out - and we'll see how it goes. You tibia is strong and can tolerate most normal activities. Dont do any skydiving but start with light stuff like bike and tennis and progress as tolerated. Any force which rebreaks your leg now would probably break a normal tibia.

I know its been a tough haul through this but you picked up the pace and are doing great now. Keep up the hard work and forget about any messages from anyone that include the word "Never".

Take care,

DR J

So there you have it!

I'm working out at the Gym 3-4 days a week now.  The gym thing all started in the least expected way.  I had a loss of motivation over the past month.   I was having a pretty down day with some anxiety about getting my job back with this economy, the State was getting on me about my current status, blah blah, blah.  I really needed some motivation.  Later that night, along comes Cousin Frank.  Franks a fairly exciting and happy person.  Always looking for a laugh etc.  Just what the doctor ordered!  Before long were all laughing and then bang!  Frank through a curve ball out of nowhere.  Before I know it, were debating with my wife over the need for me join the gym he's at.   Well a Big Thanks goes to my Cousin Frank who persuade my wife let me join Gold's.  Could not have come at a better time.....  It's been a couple of weeks and I'm sore as hell right now but, I feel great!  The leg is getting better everyday, and I'm ready to get my life back in gear!

As far as work is concerned, well It looks good.  Spoke to the boss a few times in the last couple of weeks and it appears they have a spot for me..   Music to my ears!

Wont be long before I can throw a leg over my bikes again.  But it will take some time.  I still have a few things to get worked out.  

One thing is for sure, 

I wont be giving up motocross,

I have a plan........

Stay Tuned for Details! 

2009!!! Another injury update!

Check it out!    My last X-Ray taken in October a few weeks after they removed a screw from my leg that was protruding through the knee joint.

   Well, still on the road to recovery.  Finally walking without crutches or a cain.  I was released from the care of the hospitals physical therapy department in mid December.  I pretty much have nearly everything at home to continue therapy on my own so they let me run with it... Er I mean walk...... 

What an uphill climb it's been.  I'm still struggling to climb stairs or step down leading with my left leg.  Still some swelling and mild pain.  A lot of atrophy to still overcome.  But I'm making progress. The knee joint is moving much better.  For awhile there was a lot of popping, grinding and resistance in the knee joint. Welcome Arthritis!   Ive been off the pain meds since the first week of December.  That was one hell of a struggle in it itself.  That percocet is nasty stuff.  Easy to get hooked on no doubt.  I did get a little stale during the holidays, but I've come out on the other side ready to get the new party started.  

My last physical therapy visit was bitter sweet.  Were able to get my leg to 120 degrees movement, freely without manipulation.  120 degrees will allow me to resume normal activity.

However,  I'm being told that running is off limits as well as anything involving high impact like tennis, basketball etc. Guess it will screw my knee up pretty good.  It was strongly expressed that I continue to ride my bike as much as possible and start going on lengthy walks.  I was also allowed to stow the crutches and use a cane.  Nice!  Well not really!  The degree of movement in the knee has been progressing nicely.  I know I have got more than 120 degrees of movement now.  I have an old bmx bike that I could not ride just a month ago because I was unable to get my leg to bend enough.  But right now I can ride it,  barely, but my leg is bending more now. Thanks in part to that cool new stationary bike I got.  The leg is getting stronger and requiring less effort every day.  So thats good...   Finally, No More Cain!!!!  

Currently, I getting worked over by a chiropractor.  Seems I have severe back problems as a result of all the trauma the body has suffered in the last couple of years. Gee, thats a surprise! My hips are severely misaligned mostly due to one leg being jacked up. Although the leg is bending well, I cant get it completely straight.  The Scar tissue is preventing that effort.  I'm told over time that will work itself out.  My middle and upper back have several disc that are twisted out pretty good.  As a result it is causing some displeasing nerve tension that has left me with numbness in the arms and fingers as well as many severe headaches that last for hours.   The good news is my Chiropractor has done a hell of a job in in the last 6 weeks of getting me straightened out.  Not to mention several prescribed massages.  Finally, the headaches are gone.

Boy have I beat the living hell out of myself.  

I'm not yet back to work yet, maybe some time in the next month. I'm actually out till March 9th.  But that is contingent on when I feel like I'm ready to return.  Could and hopefully will be sooner.   We will just have to wait and see.