“I think insomnia is a sign that a person is interesting”

If that's the case I should be in those Dos Equis commercials.

I'm hanging on by my fingernails in the sleep deprivation department. I haven't quite been able to shut my eyes for more than a few hours and it's starting to feel like I'm in the 'Space Madness' episode of Ren and Stimpy. I'm off to tempt fate once more, but before I lay down here's a quick update.

I had a number of appointments today, including some bodywork. I needed a massage like Marlon Brando needed french fries. While it helped, it was short lived, and my back curled right back up into the unbreakable knot it's been for the past week. The pain is still refusing to let go, but I was able to move around a fair amount today. I also started some basic exercises in the gym, but I'm pretty limited at the moment, so walking will be my primary source of training for a while. The pain is a combination of joint, bone and muscle. I'll settle for one out of three taking a vacation.

I'm starting to put back some of the weight I lost, so hopefully I won't be a skeleton when I get home. One good sign is the pain in my stomach is subsiding and I can actually use my stomach muscles now without feeling like the wound is going to split wide open. This definitely helps with getting in and out of bed.

My doctor here is still confident things are going to start falling into place, so I'm putting my faith in his experience. One of the many things I like about this place is that many of the doctors walk around in regular clothes and leave the white lab coat in the closet. It helps to create a collaborative environment between health care professionals and goes a long way towards eliminating the hierarchical structure that US hospitals like to foster. 

Anyways, time to sleep. Or at least the illusion of sleep.

Goodnight!

Now this is rehab!

I know it's fashionable to bash the US while in Europe, but there is nothing like Medicos Health Center in the states. This place is an Orthopedist's Disneyland. The've got every possible angle covered, from physiotherapy to occupational therapy to massage to fitness, you name it. Medicos is the definition of comprehensive medical care.

I'm scheduled throughout each day for a variety of treatments. I visit with a doctor every day to monitor my progress, and I'm encouraged to knock on his door for any reason at any time. Seriously!? I have blood tests done to ensure there's no infections, lymph node massages, regular massages, electrotherapy treatments to reduce pain, exercise therapy...c'mon! And it's connected to my hotel!

There are cafes where people with various injuries hang out, sip coffee, eat pastries and the restaurant serves up some tasty dishes, including the homemade ratatouille I had for lunch. I've even got a reserved table specifically for patients of Dr. Bierstedt.

The place treats about 2000 people per day, with all manner of injuries, but it seems like most of them are knee related based on the high number of people walking around with canes. It's refreshing to see elderly people and professional athletes all receiving the same care. It feels like a huge, high-class gym with doctors and nurses.

One of the reasons I chose Dr. Bierstedt was because of the after care program they organized through Medicos. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The doc at Medicos said that my incision is healing much better than normal and that swelling is low. I think the Wobenzym may have had something to do with that. He said about 50% of disc replacement patients experience increased pain after surgery due to soft tissue damage, which can take 2-3 weeks to heal. In the meantime his priority for me is to get the muscles in my low back and hips to relax and reduce the spasms. Bring on the massage!

Oh, and I lost about 8 pounds while in the hospital. I guess living on clear soup every day for a week will do that.

Oleee ole ole oleeee

Up bright and early for my first day of rehab. The hotel is part of an athletic compound. It's connected to a health center, called Medicos, where athletes and us regular folk rehab injuries, among other things. The Veltins Arena is right next door and all of this sits up on a small hill overlooking the town. I've been told there are regular professional soccer matches and concerts held here, so I imagine the Marriot get's quite busy during these events. At the moment it's quiet as a church.

The restaurant in the hotel serves a mean breakfast buffet spread. Everything from your standard bacon and eggs, to raw seafood and exotic (buy American standards) cheese.

Everything here is already laid out, so all I need to do is give me name at various check-ins and strap in for the ride. I've been told I'll receive daily massages and exercise routines, so I'm looking forward to getting this recovery train on track.

Thanks Augusta!

I would be remiss If I didn't send a huge thanks to all of the fine people at Augusta Hospital in Hattingen. I ended up having to rush out of there today and regretfully didn't taken any photos of the incredibly supportive and hard working nurses. Every last one of them took excellent care of me.

Birgit, Sara, Julia, Jalil, Darius, Barbara, and everyone else.
Thanks to all of you!

Cab ride form hell!

I've arrived at the Marriot in Gelsenkerchen. The hotel is next to a huge soccer stadium and rehab center. It's pretty sweet. Unfortunately the ride from the hospital was an exercise in 'keeping my fists in check'.

The cabbie is from Turkey, and didn't speak English. But I don't speak Turkish, so it all evens out. When we got into Gelsenkirchen the Carnival parade was kicking off. It's a fairly big deal and several streets were closed to traffic. Apparently it's a family affair, and thousands of parents and their kids lined the streets. Rather than take the long way around the cabbie decided to drive up and down all the narrow, bumpy neighborhood streets so he could cross the parade route. With each dejection he got more and more agitated, which caused him to drive like a pissed-off yuppie during rush hour on the 405 in West LA.

With each slam of his brakes and stomp on the gas pedal my back started screaming! He kept looking at me, expressing his frustration and shrugging his shoulders as if I was commiserating. I told him, "Not my problem, figure it out. You're really causing me pain, so I don't care how angry you are, relax!" Of course it meant nothing to him.

So what should have been a pleasant 30 minute drive turned into a one hour joyride to Pain Town.

I did, however, find the Carnival costumes interesting. Unlike Brazil, or San Francisco Carnival parades where people don elaborate ensembles fit for a Las Vegas stage, the people of Germany dress up as clowns, superheroes, jailbirds...basically your average Halloween costume. I'm sure there's a reason for these outfits. And I shall investigate!

Anyways, I start rehab tomorrow. But tonight, I finally eat non hospital food!

The Longest Mile

I walked to downtown Hattingen this morning. Wish I was in better shape to move around because this is a great walking town. There are some cafes and pubs I would have liked to sample and some amazing architecture to check out. Unfortunately, all I could muster was about one mile before my back started shutting down. Wish I could report progress, but it feels like things are moving in the wrong direction. On a positive note, it's a beautiful day here, and Carnaval is in full swing. I didn't even know Carnaval was celebrated in Germany.

I'm not used to seeing empty streets on any given morning, but Sundays are for rest in Hattingen.

Struttin'

Went for my first walk outside since surgery. If I were taking it any slower I would've been walking backwards. The familiar numbness and tingling in my left leg and foot returned after about 15 minutes. A little disconcerting, but I'm not ready to get worried just yet.

It's a beautiful, crisp day in Hattingen. The hospital is situated in a quiet neighborhood, just outside downtown, which is a picturesque centuries-old village. I'm hoping to have the stamina to make it there tomorrow, but that might be a little optimistic based on my performance today.

I did come across a quaint cemetery near the hospital. Not a bad final resting place.

The frustrating part is I think most of my pain is coming from my SI joint at the moment. My sacrum is woefully out of balance. Which makes it difficult to determine how my lumbar area is feeling. My chiropractor will have his hands full when I get home.