A blog for (semi) athletic middle-aged men (and women) holding on to (the last vestiges of) their youth
by training for and competing in running, cycling, swimming and triathlon events!


Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Installing New Hardware

Gone are the days of clearing airport security without setting off the metal detector...or are they? Apparently not all surgical hardware sets off those machines, but it's hard for me to believe that the titanium plate and seven screws pictured above wouldn't sound the alarm! Regardless, I'm just happy to get the surgery over and start the long road to recovery...again.

The surgery went very smoothly, from my perspective. After donning a lovely dressing gown and blue hat, Dr. Craig Loucks autographed my right collarbone (a new protocol to prevent surgery on the wrong body part -- you can make out the "CL" in the photo at left), the anesthesiologist gave me a "three glasses of wine" cocktail (administered through the IV in my arm) and the nurse wheeled me off to the operating room.

I barely remember moving from the gurney to the operating table. Next thing I knew I was waking up in recovery (at left) feeling no pain (and no nausea!).

Apparently the surgery went well from Dr. Loucks viewpoint, as well, except for a 30 minute delay while waiting for the Fedex guy to deliver the bone graft material!

But even with that delay I headed home with my shiny new titanium collarbone about 5 hours after arriving at the hospital.

I've spent the past seven hours parked on my couch dozing on and off. So far the pain and discomfort has been considerably less than what I experienced after the initial break. I hope that holds true when I crawl into bed tonight!

Thanks for everyone's thoughts and prayers. Keep sending positive vibes my way. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery and looking forward to picking up my new bike later this month and getting back the road again to begin training for Ride the Rockies!

Daren

5 comments:

  1. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. There's nothing like having a race looming over you to get that arm back in shape.

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  2. My prayers are with you and hope that you have a great and speedy recovery. Don't get too used to the couch though...

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  3. I hope you have a quick recovery. Now if you can just get the cause of the injury resolved. One of these days we'll have to get together for a morning ride or run.

    Terrance

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  4. I hope you get well soon Daren! I hate being down and out for injuries like that, but at least all is looking good for ya! You should add www.raisingthesteaks.com to your blogroll, it's the 2008 NBAP blog. Take care!

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  5. Yo Daren...Get well soon Dood. Looking forward to seeing you on the RtR. We'll be fine. Looks like I'm going to be in the Middle East until the ride,, with little opportunity to train, so we may do Team DFL proud!! Mark

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