The Achilles Chronicles - The First Steps

Week five since my accident, four weeks since surgery and two weeks since the cast was removed.....the first time I'm allowed to put some weight on my foot.......with doctor's permission.

I know, I know, I know.....I'm supposed to follow the rules.....and if you know me.....I never follow the rules. That being problem number one. Problem number two is I'm so impatient.

Today I went to UNIFY for the first time to do an upper body workout. It felt good but I certainly wish I could do more. Returning to a routine is rewarding. I've missed my workouts. With both my wife and I being out of commission these last months we have both found blessings and comfort in the support of our friends there. I posted a few videos of us working out that Michelle took of us on the YouTube page.

Today was also the last half-day Friday at the office that signals the end of summer. With Labor Day on Monday we all get the opportunity for a long weekend. With the hurricane/tropical storm approaching we will have a holiday in doors! That figures! I'll miss the Rock-N-Roll half marathon in Virginia Beach....but then again maybe everybody else will to unless the winds calm down. I couldn't do much this weekend anyway so I'll do some reading and resting......that'll work!

Today was also the second physical therapy appointment but more importantly I was given permission to apply some weight on it. 10% weight......so 19 pounds? Sure why not! That sounds about right. Toes tingling a bit. Incision doesn't really look so pretty. The healing process is going well but it less than desirable looking. I guess that might be normal. PT was a little too light for my preferences (of course) by picking up marbles with my toes.....really? Come on guys....PUSH ME! I know I know I know....patience. We already talked about this.....I don't have any.

All in all, things are going well and I should be careful not to create any setbacks. Ok.....I guess. 

Registration for The 50 Mile Challenge for RUN EUGENE RUN. If it wasn't for UNIFY we wouldn't have much. I'm thankful for all of those that contributed and are helping. Two weeks away from the run. Everyone jumping in to accumulate a total of 50 miles on 9.17.16 will be outstanding and humbling at the same time. I looking forward to being a spectator (not really but that's all I can do right now) and cheering everyone on!

Everyone can still sponsor and still run. I just won't be able to get you a shirt or medal until later. All those contributing will be our sponsors throughout 2017. We will have your link on our website and posts. We will add late sign ups to our official race shirts. I'll be preparing for a full recovery and begin running by (or before) the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach. I think that will be a rewarding and significant return for me. 

Look for updates and follow-ups as we continue......again I want to thank EVERYONE.

Eugene Thompson

Founder + Marathon Runner (soon once again)

www.RunEugeneRun.com

www.GoFundMe.com/idg4vk

The Achilles Chronicles - Recovery Update

First of all let me apologize to my followers, friends and family. I've been less than motivated lately to post updates to my progress......mostly because there hasn't been any. Most of you already know of my set back in late July when I ruptured my Achilles. That quickly ended my journey to run my 50 mile challenge I have been planning for so long. I have had the feelings of letting myself down but more importantly of those who had been counting on me. I am so sorry to have let you down.

The 50 mile challenge was to happen while I was still 50 years old. Unfortunately the doctor says I cannot even begin running until after my birthday if at all this year. Patience has never been my best trait. Struggling with depression seems to have escalated. Diabetes does that. Running helped with it. The inability to walk without crutches, to drive, to do just about anything without assistance or depending on others has just thrown fuel on the fire. Some days are better than others. Some worse. Life goes on and I strive to focus on the issues I can address.

The definition of SETBACK is shear daunting when I think about having to start all over. The fear of ever returning to where I once was haunts me. It'll be a long road.......longer than 26.2!

Well that's my emotional state......sorry if it lacks positivity......that's today's mood.

Here's the recovery story....or at least my update for the last four weeks:



07.28.16  Snapped Achilles went to ER

 



07.29.16  Saw the orthopedic surgeon

 

 



08.04.26  Surgery to repair it



08.19.16  Wraps taken off to see my Frankenstein scar (PG image version)



 

08.25.16  First visit to physical therapist for evaluation

 

Two weeks of no weight bearing then two more of minimal weight bearing from 9.19.16

That'll put me at mid to late October before I can begin walking without crutches entirely.

09.16.16  Return to surgeon for follow-up

09.17.16  50 mile challenge day. Thankful for others who will be running in my stead at Unify!
 

That's about as far as I can see into the future. Each day I grow more anxious to begin.....begin doing something! Anything! Did I say patience wasn't my best trait? It's hard to plan my schedule even months in advance because I just don't know how well I'll be walking or if at all yet. That's frustrating.

Goals:

Running by end of November.

First marathon......Shamrock in Virginia Beach by J&A Racing

50 mile challenge redux......9.16.17

Wish me luck and send your prayers. Thank you to my friends.

RUN EUGENE RUN

Eugene Thompson

Marathon Runner + Founder

www.RunEugeneRun.com

www.GoFundMe.com/idg4vk

What I've Learned

The pros and cons of having the use of only one leg (or foot):

- saved laundry by reducing socks by 50%

- increased skills of balancing on one leg

- learned how to go to the bathroom on one leg.....use your imagination

- opening door with automatic closer while on crutches

- building strength in my left leg

- a very tired left leg

- inability to drive a car

- ability to creatively enter a car

- learning how to carry everything in a back pack while on crutches

- losing weight.....too much work to get to the kitchen

- finding out I only have two pairs of pants that fit over my foot 

- get to wear shorts to work

- building strength in my arms using crutches

- having sore armpits using crutches 

- bathing is a chore

- having very tan toes......or is that dirt?

Yep....it's all in how you look at it.

KEEP GOING!

RUN EUGENE RUN

Eugene Thompson

Runner + Founder

Day Zero - Surgery for RUN EUGENE RUN

Today is a day of excitement.....nervous excitement. I've never really had any major surgery before so I'm not entirely comfortable with the thought of someone cutting on me. In the world of Internet and google it is best not to ever such for images of your upcoming surgery......too late.....I'm anticipating become a science experiment. Remember those labs in high school? Frogs, baby pigs......a worm? I didn't do well on my experiments. I'm glad my doctor is a pro at this!

Sure, it's easy to say you'll be brave. Sure I'll put up my facade. I'll joke about. I'll make others laugh. But honestly I'm scared. Scared I'll never be the same, to be able to recover. It's easy to say......but it's a long run. At the beginning of every marathon I've ran I've tried not to think have long the road will be. When it's at the end.....it's so much easier to look back....so much easier.

Those of you who have had surgery before know the rules. No food or drink after midnight......no coffee either! What?! Ok ok.....whatever you say. At least they moved my surgery time up to morning instead of afternoon. 

Out of all this I hope to encourage others in their own struggles. Their struggles with diabetes.....and now I can add recovery from a ruptured Achilles. God figured that he wanted to be a more powerful message.....that's the only thing I can understand. I imagined the story of Gideon and the 300 that lapped water like a dog. Just a few warriors to accomplish what an army would be needed for. Or how about Goliath vs a small young man? He didn't need a sword, spear or shield. Just his sling......and just one river stone. Unrealistic battles.....but not when the Lord is in control.

So that's my plan....a bit of arrogance and pride. I've been humbled. That might hurt more than my Achilles. I'm just a man. He is so much bigger. 

I had a great team with me today. A whole host of pre-op nurses prepping me for the surgery. I don't remember all your names but I appreciate you so much. I do apologize if my lovely green surgery garment happened to gap......honestly I don't remember a thing.....you knocked me out before I left the room. That was some good stuff! The anesthesiologist told me to imagine the best cocktail.....Hendriks and Tonic? Less than 60 seconds later and I was out! Wow!

Then there was a whole team of surgeons and nurses inside the surgery room. They were great......they took this picture.....I don't remember it! Lol. But I was smiling. I wonder now what I might have said during that time.....hmmmm? You guys were awesome and took great care of me.

And probably the most important team members were the whole slew of prayer warriors from all over the country. You are the greatest. Thank you so much for lifting my name up. I can't thank you enough.

So now the journey begins. I was released pretty quick. The doctor said it was a strong repair. I gave him some strong muscles and tendons to work with. He said there was a gap about two inches apart so surgery was really the only way to properly repair it. My leg was numb from the knee down. It weighed a ton with all the wraps around it. Thankfully I had been practicing with the crutches before hand. I can't let it touch the ground. Balancing on one foot.....getting up....sitting down.....lying down.....everything.

No pain at all......until.....about 4AM the next morning. Wow.....just wow. Now this is tough. Really tough. Crazy pain.....but I'll get through. NO PAIN NO GAIN? 

So that brings you guys up to date. Today is DAY ONE of recovery. There will be rest but I'll put together my schedule. The doctor said I'll be in the wrap for two weeks, no weight bearing. After that they remove it and begin PT while I'm back in the boot for two-three more weeks. I'll begin using foot for balancing. Afterwards I'll be able to trying on shoes and work up to walking. In three to four months I'll begin running. He did say my full strength won't regain for a full year......but I did ask about being able to run the Shamrock Marathon in March.....he said YES!

Now it's up to me.....yes the road is long.....I doubt it'll be easy. Follow my journey. I hope to share each step (no pun intended.....ok......yes it was).  

RUN EUGENE RUN will continue. Others at UNIFY will pick up my goal and run on September 17th as a relay. Others can join in too. Wherever you live. The plan has changed a bit however the goal remains the same....to inspire and encourage others about diabetes awareness. TEAM UNIFY, you guys are awesome.

My goal.......50 miles on September 16th, 2017!

RUN EUGENE RUN

Eugene Thompson

www.GoFundMe.com/idg4vk

Poor Timing

Poor timing. Isn't is always that way? The absolute worst timing ever for tragedy to strike. It would be a tragedy if it came at a time when we were better prepared or at a better time for us. Unfortunately it doesn't ever really work that way.

Many of you know that I was 50 days away from running my 50 mile challenge for RUN EUGENE RUN to raise awareness for diabetes. You have heard my story of my own battle with diabetes and the struggles I still face regularly. I had set up the charity as a non-profit and was working towards launching it all with the big debut of me running 50 miles in one day......and then it happened.

My car had slipped out of gear in the middle of an intersection. Something happened with the clutch and it wouldn't engage. No worries, it's a small sports car.....I just push it out of the middle and off to one side. While doing that I heard a pop in my right ankle. I knew immediately the feeling of a broken rubberband springing free was my Achilles. There was no doubt. I also knew within minutes what it meant for my running.....and for the 50 mile challenge.

Yes my leg hurt but I hurt deep down inside far more. I was in tears feeling I had ended something before I could even get started. What good is a RUN EUGENE RUN movement if Eugene cannot RUN? We headed straight to the hospital Emergency Room to find out what I already knew. The entire time I was praying for a miracle and someone would tell me differently. I knew better.

Ok.....now what? It's 6:30 PM call the doctor.....let's do surgery tonight! Right! Like that's going to happen. It's not like I'm Kobe Bryant or something......I'm just a guy with a cause. They sent me home that evening with a BOOT and CRUTCHES. I stick my foot in a Home Depot bucket with ice as soon as I get home. It reminded me of high school days when I cracked my foot and the trainer had a "horse boot" that they used on my recovery. Yes, you read correctly. I did grow up in Oklahoma. Big tall boot made for horses, you put ice and water in it and there is an air hose at the bottom. Within seconds it is freezing cold and your foot goes numb in five minutes. It's those first five minutes of pure torture that I remember.........I wanted that boot that first evening......still praying for something miraculous.

Amazingly I got an appointment with the Opthopedic Surgeon the very next morning. And yes....I told everyone the real importance of my concern...... I HAVE TO GET BACK TO RUNNING! I'm not sure everyone is as concerned as myself. Dr. Blake Moore gave me the news. It took him less than 5 seconds to see without doubt that I had ruptured my Achilles. I figured. The options were presented and surgery was recommended, especially knowing what I still wanted to accomplish. Without any doubt.....ok.....I am scared.......but I said, "LET'S DO IT!"

With that said I'll be having surgery this coming Thursday. The quicker the surgery date the quicker I can get back to it. He said I'd be running again in 3 months! Really!? So I'm thinking I can still run marathons in December! Ok.......probably not......a little too optimistic. I haven't got the exact details of my recovery schedule......so I look it up on the Internet.......DONT EVER DO THIS!

When I Google Achilles surgery I find pictures.....Ahhhhh! They looked like something from a Dr. Frankenstein's experiment. Everything opened up. Some showing stitches all the way up the back of the ankle and into the calf. I WILL LOOK LIKE FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER! Realistically it will take me 6 months for full recovery. And then whatever it'll take to train for a marathon again.

I hope to share more when I know. We are working on how we can still launch everything with RUN EUGENE RUN as well. After all, this wasn't ever about me. It was about all the others I'm hoping to help. I am just the figurehead. I'll know more once I meet with my wonderful team. They have been so supportive. I'll need more help than ever.

Please take a look at contributing to the cause. We are making adjustments to our website launch.....obviously things change in life......quickly......and at the worst of times.

Keep going to this link until we revise. www.GoFundMe.com/idg4vk

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. You do not know how encouraging it is to me.

Please go run for me......and when you do.....HAVE A FUN RUN!

Eugene Thompson

RUN EUGENE RUN

marathon runner.......again soon!

Lions Bears and Giants

Lions, Bears, and Giants 

The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine. 
1 Samuel 17:37 

"Hey, you guys. Don't be afraid. I'll fight this Philistine giant." 

But David was young. David was not even a warrior, and certainly not an experienced warrior. Saul felt it necessary to mention these things after David had so fearlessly declared that he himself would fight Goliath. 

But David persisted. "When I am taking care of my fathers sheep, and a lion or a bear comes and grabs a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and take the lamb from its mouth. If it turns on me I catch it by the jaw and club it to death" (1 Samuel 17:34,35 tlb). 

If David had not experienced lions and bears, he would not have been prepared for his confrontation with Goliath. 

And as he watched the round stone find its mark, and felt the earth shake when Goliath fell, it was etched indelibly on David's mind and heart that his God was able. 

This morning I struggle with defeat. Questioning why. Why when I try so hard to do the right thing I face so much opposition? What have I done wrong? 

Not knowing (at this time) the extent of my trials or what I am about to face, I realize it isn't my battle. The battle belongs to the Lord. I will trust in him, not myself. Maybe...just maybe....he felt my battle wasn't big enough. Maybe he plans on using me in a different manner. Maybe he is giving me another lion or bear to fight before I get to Goliath.......but I know this......I will fight Goliath......and he will fall.

Eugene Thompson

ET This I Believe

Marathon Runner.....soon again.

March Madness - day 2

Okay after all the craziness from yesterday, I can finally enjoy a little peace. Last night we all went out for a dinner at The Cotton Patch and had the special.....fried catfish. Yep....we're in Texas. It was an opportunity to get to know our son's future in-laws from Alaska. It was good and we had fun discussions and getting to know each other better.

After that, I hit the sack and was out fast. But woke up at 6:10 this morning...just like clockwork. Texas time. Went for a run to test out my rested Achilles and did a slow 3 miles. Yep it was sore....so sick of this. Just gonna have to ice and stretch this thing during our vacation and keep the runs to short ones. I have to be ready for the 8K in a week. Glad I only signed up for that instead of the half marathon....however the Dismal Swamp half is only five weeks away. Got to get this thing cured.

After the run we had breakfast in the lobby with the Young's continuing on our " getting to know each other" conversations.

Rest and relaxation is good, even if I have to force myself to take it.

So after a few housekeeping duties we headed over to the campus to a meeting for parents of the newly returned AIM students. It was all about how we can support the kids when they return from such a dramatic environment. Many have been in countries where the financial and economic climate were so bad that many of the people they knew went hungry or were politically repressed. Coming back home from that to a land where we have so much....and waste so much....and care so little is troubling. It is a re-entry process. Having been away for 18 months and returning to friends who don't really care, don't have time, don't want anything else but the Cliff note version of their experiences. That is difficult. It was a good talk and we all contributed how us as parents have dealt with their absence and return.

Afterwards we visited a neat little place called The Crafthouse & Gastropub. Some unique beers on tap and nasty little snacks to hold us over until the evening meal. If you ever make it to Lubbock, not that it is the great Mecca for tourism, visit this little retreat.

The graduation and meal was pretty amazing. There were over 700 people that were people there in attendance. Some this class, some past classes, some assistants, instructors, sponsors new Aimers and all the parents and families. A really good turn out. Some fun little discussions and then the graduates. Each walked up from their individual mission fields. About 40 in all. For many this was the end of their journey, for others it was just a short stop along the way. An emotional event for many.

At the conclusion, what we had been waiting for, our son had asked to speak to the assembly. He eagerly jumped to the podium, made a few thank you's and then said that he wasn't there for that today. He reached under the podium, grabbed something we couldn't tell but had an idea. And with microphone in hand to jumps off the stage and ran over to his beautiful girlfriend. Her smile was beaming across her face. His words went something like this:
"In front of all these people, our friends, our families and a whole bunch of people I don't even know who they are." Then he got down on one knee, open up the little box and asked, "Would you be my wife?"

Still smiling and probably speechless, she nodded yes and he slipped the ring on her finger. The audience erupted in cheers and clapping. A pretty exciting moment. Our son succeeded in showing his love in a big way. And with that, my wife and I knew we were now completely empty nestors. Our little boy was no longer a little boy....but we already knew that.

After all the congratulations and meetings and greetings, the two love birds took us leaving us parents behind. So all four of us went to celebrate ourselves at a place called Manna Bread and Wine. Great eclectic hoe in the wall spot that will be another favorite spot for dinner on one of our return visits. More great chatting and finally an end to a long day.

Achilles hurts, I am tired and tomorrow the time changes. He plan on hitting the road to Dallas after church and lunch.

With that, we ended our second day of March Madness.
Enjoy my friends....your kids grow up fast.

Et this I believe