August 13, 2007
...to give yall (that means you guys who aren't from 'round here) an update on things, the last time I sent the blog entry, I had just been diagnosed with patello femoral arthritis and took a cortisone shot in the knee to clear it up....well it never got any better.
After 2 weeks of extensive rehab, the knee wasn't showing any signs of improvement, so I decided to go back to the doctor and take some pictures (x-rays and MRI's) that eventually showed some extensive cartilage damage and some loose bone fragments in the knee capsule....ahh the dilemma.
After long deliberations, my family and I decided to have my knee scoped to remove the bone fragments and torn cartilage damage. This was a risky choice, given that the knee scope was to be performed 24 days out from USA Championships, but we wanted to have the option to salvage the 2nd half of the European season....so we went ahead and got the scope (see photo above for an in-hospital view).
The knee rehab went way ahead of schedule and at 14 days out from the scope, I took some easy standing throws and felt surprisingly good, I followed that up with an easy training session a few days later and felt like I could take a shot at USA Champs. I booked my flight and hotel a little less than a week before the meet and went into the competition with absolutely no expectations, only that I wanted to be able to leave the track under my own power and not on crutches.
My prayers were answered and the hard work paid off and I managed to take 2nd place at USA Champs and qualify for the Pan Am Games in Rio several weeks later. I left for a small European circuit immediately after USA's but couldn't manage to match what I did at the championships, so I returned home for a few days training before departing to Brazil for the Pan Am Games.
Once I arrived in Europe and took my 1st training session, I knew things were in line for a big throw and I was right. I took Silver at the Pan Am Games and threw a seasons best in some unbelievably bad conditions. The silver was bitter sweet, because the throw was not far enough to get me to Worlds next weekend.
However, I am in good shape now and will be heading back to Europe late next week to finish the 2nd half of the season and try to get some big throws in and get ready for the big show next year!
sorry about the long entry, but there's been allot go down and I thought I would let yall (you guys) know....so long for now!
Mike ++
