colsoop Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Hi all, Good and bad news really. I was kept in overnight as my temperature was up to 38.8 degrees and the nurses were very worried that I had suffered a reaction to the general. I hadn't, I was just coming out of a bad cold/man flu I've had but didn't tell them so I could have the op. Sadly, the damage to the left ankle was worse than expected. I have major tears in the cartilage from the sprains and running which has made things a lot worse. The surgeon had to perform a Micro-fracture chondroplasty (fill in the cracks with blood to form new cartilage) and I have been advised not to run again, or certainly not for distances anywhere over 3 miles. On crutches with no weight bearing for 2 weeks and then having right ankle done in early May. Therefore, for me the RAF truly is over and I won't be able to start initial Officer training in July, or forever for that matter. Am devestated but understand why I can't. This is about my long term health I suppose. Just didn't expect to experience such a set back at 25 Thanks for all the good wishes guys. Greg Greg Im sorry to hear that. But as you say your long term health is much more important ! the last thing you would want is to makie it thorugh training only to get another injury that stops you from doing your job, that is far more frustrating i can tell you. Whats next then matey ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyT Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Chin up Greg. There's a legendary guy in the Navy has a prosthetic lower leg and still trains the gun crews mate. You've got the will to see this through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 Greg Im sorry to hear that. But as you say your long term health is much more important ! the last thing you would want is to makie it thorugh training only to get another injury that stops you from doing your job, that is far more frustrating i can tell you. Whats next then matey ? No idea mate. Yesterday was very emotional as you can imagine and the next few weeks will be hard. Never thought or considered anything else so haven't a clue. My next steps are to get well, get rid of the pain which the surgery and physio will do, head away to California as planned with the lads in June and take it from there. I'm not going to stay in my current job as I don't like it, but it'll keep paying the bills for a good 4-5 months Thanks Col. I certainly know for one that you can appreciate the circumstances after your experience Greg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedM Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Sorry to hear about this, Greg. There's probably not a lot that anyone can say or do to make you feel better right now but chin up and all that. Are you not allowed to run ever again? That's pretty serious if so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Not to run over 3 miles - forever? All I'll say is give yourself the best possible chance for healing at the moment and hope for a good recovery. Plenty of people have been told they won't be able to physically do something after an operation and then made incredible recoveries. Hopefully you'll be one of those people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 Are you not allowed to run ever again? That's pretty serious if so. Not to run over 3 miles - forever? I know. The surgeon seemed pretty shocked about it all for my age, but he said I'd done so serious cartilage damage. He didn't say I couldn't ever run, but I certainly should try to avoid it and not run long distances over 3 miles. Stick to low impact activities like swimming and cycling apparently. That's not to say it won't heal fine and I can't do all of these things, I think he was just making me well aware of the risk of things going wrong again if I stress the joints too much. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pot Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Unlucky on the RAF fella, but like everyone's said the bigger picture's more important, glad to see you came out of it OK though (All things considering)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 I know it's a blow Greg but it's probably for the best in the long run. You don't want to be a cripple in your 50's...... I'm glad you had the general anaesthetic mate. It wouldn't have been nice hearing the surgeon telling the nurses that you ankles are fooked.... Sorry! H. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 Thanks guys. It's gonna be a tough couple of months I reckon as they both need to be done, but hopefully I'll be fit and healthy for the summer. It's just so annoying seeing runners outside. I've seen about 8-9 go past today and everytime I just sigh and look away. It's especially not fair as half of them have probably done very little exercise in their lives and are just getting ready for the charity 5 mile Knowle Fun run which even I can't do now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Thanks guys. It's gonna be a tough couple of months I reckon as they both need to be done, but hopefully I'll be fit and healthy for the summer. It's just so annoying seeing runners outside. I've seen about 8-9 go past today and everytime I just sigh and look away. It's especially not fair as half of them have probably done very little exercise in their lives and are just getting ready for the charity 5 mile Knowle Fun run which even I can't do now! Awful feeling i know Greg, i went from being able to run 10 miles in an hour to using a wheeled zimmer frame to get around on ! I know it is hard but you really have to stay motivated and positive or you will get depressed and bitter about things and probably not heal as fast. The mind has a big role to play in well being and health ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garetheves Posted April 6, 2008 Share Posted April 6, 2008 Sorry to hear that Greg. Look on the bright side, at least you are only 25. The recovery chances if you were 50 would be a lot slimmer. At least youll get to the stage where hopefully you wont even notice you had a problem with the ankle, its just the road running that will be a problem, you may be ok on a treadmill as they take a lot of the shock out of the running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 6, 2008 Author Share Posted April 6, 2008 Awful feeling i know Greg, i went from being able to run 10 miles in an hour to using a wheeled zimmer frame to get around on ! I know it is hard but you really have to stay motivated and positive or you will get depressed and bitter about things and probably not heal as fast. The mind has a big role to play in well being and health ! You're right mate. I do need to stay positive, I just have so much to bloody think about now that I never gave thought about before. My girlfriend is away travelling too which makes things worse as I could do with her motivation right now. I hate feeling bitter, I must stop it I know, but sh*t it's such a blow mate. PMA though so I'll keep telling myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 8, 2008 Author Share Posted April 8, 2008 Update: Doing ok. Getting round on the crutches alright and the pain is low, about 3 out of 10 so that's good. My ankle movement is good to and range of motion is improving massively. Feeling more positive. Michael Owen and many other sports stars have had similar operations on their knees and they're still playing football right? I've been told that ankle cartilage repair is much easier and less prone to further damage so here's hoping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keancy Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 Update: Doing ok. Getting round on the crutches alright and the pain is low, about 3 out of 10 so that's good. My ankle movement is good to and range of motion is improving massively. Feeling more positive. Michael Owen and many other sports stars have had similar operations on their knees and they're still playing football right? I've been told that ankle cartilage repair is much easier and less prone to further damage so here's hoping Glad you feel positive mate, hope you keep improving the way you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burna Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 Gutted for you Greg concerning the RAF But try to think positive mate, you never know what opportunity's are just around the corner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManwithSupra Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 What number did you manage to count to when they administered the General? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marc_p Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 Glad you feel positive mate, hope you keep improving the way you want. You'll be up and about like before in no time So stop whining:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraAyf Posted April 8, 2008 Share Posted April 8, 2008 My girlfriend is away travelling too which makes things worse as I could do with her motivation right now. I hate feeling bitter, I must stop it I know, but sh*t it's such a blow mate. PMA though so I'll keep telling myself. Right Greg, you big French puff pastry - onwards and upwards old boy. None of these negative vibes as officers need to stay positive, sir;) :cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted April 8, 2008 Author Share Posted April 8, 2008 What number did you manage to count to when they administered the General? They didn't ask me to count mate. They said "where are you going on holiday?", I replied California and then passed out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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