Cleared!

by Mary on February 18, 2017

Mary and Dr. C.

My neurosurgeon Dr. C. is a cheerful and humorous guy. He promised that at my three-month visit he would “turn me loose into the wild.” And he has! Not to fly off into the forest but to do all my normal activities.

I told him that I’m doing extremely well but still working on strength, particularly in the left hip, and balance. He said balance was the last thing to come back, and suggested that my PT Valerie could get me standing on an upside-down Bosu ball to strengthen the little muscles around the hip that contribute to it.

I asked how I could avoid re-injury, besides the obvious thing of avoiding bending and twisting at the same time. He said that was the big one. But besides that, “people get injured when they are tired,” so be careful of that. Also, “avoid falls.” And “remember you’re not 18 anymore.” True, though I don’t like to dwell on that.

I know a number of skaters who are under similar orders to avoid falls. Two have hip replacements, two have plates and screws from wrists broken badly while skating. One skates with a helmet after repeated head injuries. As Dr. C. and I discussed earlier, it’s a matter of risk and benefit and it’s up to me.

I’m a lot less inclined to ever take on projects like learning the axel if I’m really supposed to be avoiding the hard falls. I never have done more than play with the axel exercises, but it’s something that I thought I might be able to learn someday.

All the areas I had that needed surgery were on the left side of my spine. I asked Dr. C. previously whether that had to do with repeatedly landing and falling on my left side through my life. I skate lefty, so I land on the left leg and tend to fall on the left hip. He said that no, it was not what I thought. The landing forces tend to be equalized by the time they get to the spine. Rather, it could be from repeated torsion, from turning more often in that direction. That certainly could be true since in every jump I rotate to the left.

Dr. C. wants me to call him at a year. I promised him a skating video then, and he wants to see that.

{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }

Eva at Eva Bakes February 19, 2017 at 12:10 pm

Hooray – congrats on getting cleared and being released into the wild! You can totally learn an Axel. Many have learned (and landed) them as an adult so it is totally possible.
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 12:25 am

I’m sure it’s possible, but not sure whether it would be wise for me. Even you got a couple episodes of sciatica from learning the axel, right?

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Jo February 19, 2017 at 9:06 pm

Mary, that is so great that your doctor is giving you the go-ahead! So many of us who are not 18 anymore are cheering you on! It sounds like you are so much better. We could all use some time on that Bosu ball. Excited to see you back in the world of skating adventures!
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 12:26 am

Thanks Jo!

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Nicole February 20, 2017 at 9:25 pm

So happy to hear you got the all clear! What a great feeling that must be!
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 3:34 pm

It is great, I’m very glad this could be fixed and I can get back to things!

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The Accidental Marathoner February 20, 2017 at 9:44 pm

That sounds like such wonderful news! And I think all of us, no matter our sport or activity, can use those tips for avoiding injury. Thanks for sharing!
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Mary February 24, 2017 at 3:12 am

You’re welcome, and thanks for reading and commenting!

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Deborah February 20, 2017 at 9:57 pm

So great that you have been cleared for exercise! Take it slow out there and have fun
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 12:27 am

Thanks Deborah, that’s pretty much my plan, take it slow and have fun!

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runningaroundtheboyz February 20, 2017 at 10:01 pm

That is so cool that you got the go-ahead from your doctor. I’ve always LOVE to watch skating, now me and skating on the other hand – it’s a NO GO! 🙂
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Marcia February 20, 2017 at 10:41 pm

Happy Clearance Mary! I know you’ve been looking forward to this day and I’m so glad your recovery went according to plan. How many skaters do I know with hip replacements?! So so many. You remind me of all the billions of times I fell learning that dang axel. I swear I thought the bruises would be permanent. Skaters are a tough bunch.
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 12:29 am

You are right, the hips do seem to be what goes out most often on skaters. Billions of times, huh? I never learned the axel when younger but I do remember falling a lot when I was learning a sit spin and having my left hip being one big bruise. Good thing we were young!

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Lisa February 20, 2017 at 11:44 pm

Glad to hear that you were cleared! That must be a good feeling. Hope you continue to do well!
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Mary February 23, 2017 at 11:25 pm

Thanks, Lisa!

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Rachel February 21, 2017 at 12:33 am

One of my classmates from high school recently found herself back at the rink after many, many years away. Congrats on being cleared!!
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Mary February 23, 2017 at 11:26 pm

Thanks! And I’m happy for your friend. I’m glad there is an adult skating scene for all of us returning adults to enjoy!

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Wendy February 21, 2017 at 1:19 am

Congrats, Mary! And best wishes on your road back to recovery!
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 1:34 am

Thanks Wendy!

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Elle February 21, 2017 at 2:14 am

Hurray for being CLEARED! I am sure your doc is right on about injuries happening when we are tired. When I skiied a lot I was always careful to end my day on the slopes on a positive note and not get in that one last run… tired usually gets a bit sloppy in form and mental sharpness too, I think.

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Mary February 21, 2017 at 2:40 am

You are exactly right, Elle. It’s hard, though, to have the mental discipline to stop and not go for that ill-fated “one more time.”

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Melissa February 21, 2017 at 2:23 am

I’ve been out of town so I am just now seeing this wonderful news. So very, very happy for you. Vancouver announcement is out – maybe that could be a goal? But just getting cleared for normal activities is a victory. Go celebrate, and I look forward to reading about your adventures back on the ice. Hugs!!!!!

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Mary February 23, 2017 at 11:24 pm

Hi Melissa. Thanks for the hugs! I won’t be doing Vancouver this August. On August 21st there will be a total solar eclipse. Sun Valley is in the path of totality, and that’s during the adult skating week! So that tips the scales for me to going to Sun Valley. Want to join me?

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Coco February 21, 2017 at 2:27 am

Wow, it must be great to be “free to go”. Your Dr.’s words ring true but they aren’t easy to take! I’m not 18 anymore either!
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 2:45 am

The part about being free to do all my activities is great, I’ve waited for it for a long time! The part about not being 18 is– you are right– not so easy to hear. I aspire to be good at various things not just “good for my age.” So I resist those limitations. But they exist.

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Michelle February 21, 2017 at 4:02 am

Congrats on being cleared! Take it easy and enjoy 🙂
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 3:33 pm

Thanks Michelle!

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Kimberly Hatting February 21, 2017 at 4:24 am

Well, that’s great news! Congrats! I skated some when I was a kid…not competitively,but for fun. I actually was better on the ice than in a roller rink LOL

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Mary February 21, 2017 at 3:33 pm

Thanks Kim! I didn’t compete as a kid either, just skated recreationally. I like ice better than roller, it doesn’t hurt as much when you fall because you slide!

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Jenn February 21, 2017 at 1:39 pm

Congratulations! What wonderful news!

Definitely be cautious and careful, but it’s time to get back out there and fly, just like the doctor said!
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Mary February 21, 2017 at 3:31 pm

Thanks Jen!

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Katie Shepherd February 21, 2017 at 1:45 pm

Congrats on getting the “all clear” from your doctor! So exciting for you!

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Mary February 21, 2017 at 3:31 pm

Thank you Katie! I’m off to the rink in just a few minutes, will enjoy!

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Mary Beth Jackson February 21, 2017 at 4:15 pm

Congrats to you on the all clear! Wow! Now you can get out there and do what you love- enjoy!

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Kathryn February 21, 2017 at 9:43 pm

I can only imagine how high that cloud is that you’re currently riding. What a great feeling to have!!!
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George A. March 9, 2017 at 8:55 pm

Great news Mary! Don’t be in too big a rush to come back to skating. Ease you’re way in.

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Mary March 17, 2017 at 11:31 pm

Good advice George! Up until lately I’ve only been on the ice for a half an hour at a time, now I’m starting to stay out there longer.

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