optimisticbiker reborn

meanredspider

OptimisticBiker wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Huge amount to do, OB - it's great to see you making progress. After my son's operation, he needed a massive amount of physio to teach him to walk again and the nerve regeneration still (2years later) a long way to go as he still can't lift his foot but there is now at least signs of his muscle fibres firing. Each small improvement is amazing though

My consultant told me that after 2y there was unlikely to be any further improvement yet I've read elsewhere of people getting significant change much later - which just proves that where nerves/spine/brain are concerned no one really knows. Anyway, hope he continues to improve.

In other news, I've been given a power wheelchair to save my left shoulder which is very sore.

Thanks. For sure, he's improving. It doesn't help that the chemo he was on was a nerve toxin. He's actually grown to like his stick (fortunately he's a great fan of "House") and he was a maniac around the house in his wheelchair for the year we had it. I have colleagues who have had nerves continue to repair for up to 4 years. He continues with trophic(sp) stimulation to prevent muscle wastage on those muscles that currently aren't firing.

Now a power wheelchair sounds like fun..!

First.Aspect

meanredspider wrote:

OptimisticBiker wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Huge amount to do, OB - it's great to see you making progress. After my son's operation, he needed a massive amount of physio to teach him to walk again and the nerve regeneration still (2years later) a long way to go as he still can't lift his foot but there is now at least signs of his muscle fibres firing. Each small improvement is amazing though

My consultant told me that after 2y there was unlikely to be any further improvement yet I've read elsewhere of people getting significant change much later - which just proves that where nerves/spine/brain are concerned no one really knows. Anyway, hope he continues to improve.

In other news, I've been given a power wheelchair to save my left shoulder which is very sore.

Thanks. For sure, he's improving. It doesn't help that the chemo he was on was a nerve toxin. He's actually grown to like his stick (fortunately he's a great fan of "House") and he was a maniac around the house in his wheelchair for the year we had it. I have colleagues who have had nerves continue to repair for up to 4 years. He continues with trophic(sp) stimulation to prevent muscle wastage on those muscles that currently aren't firing.

Now a power wheelchair sounds like fun..!

I agree with all of this. The only way you are sure not to improve further after 2 years is to stop trying to improve. My physio told me that most people give up after 6 months (or less) if they have to do anything repetitive and painful, and this puts a glass ceiling on what physical capacity they end up with.

As we all know, however, cyclists aren't most people. Seriously, any athlete has to have a degree of determination and, at least in some respects, focus that most people lack. This is your key attribute OB, and you have it in spades from what I've read.

In my experience, a lot of medical practitioners give stock answers. I was told a few weeks after being put back together that I was pretty doomed. This in contrast to the "anything is possible" approach of the guy who actually did the surgery. Its probably the difference between a medic who is able to look at the patient as a whole and a medic who looks only at the medical condition.

OB, if you decide not to settle for any less than the top few percent of what is thought possible for you now, theres a pretty good chance that's what you'll earn for yourself.

Happy New Year yt=rt54 <----(cat walked across keyboard)

optimisticbiker

I agree, you should never stop trying - as long as you're not doing damage.

The power chair is because I overdid it and over stressed the left shoulder pushing a heavy manual chair too far too soon!

navt

OptimisticBiker wrote:

In other news, I've been given a power wheelchair to save my left shoulder which is very sore.

Compact or triple? You know compact is the only way to go. Keep it up!

optimisticbiker

navt wrote:

OptimisticBiker wrote:

In other news, I've been given a power wheelchair to save my left shoulder which is very sore.

Compact or triple? You know compact is the only way to go. Keep it up!

neither . its an oil tanker, a Spectra Plus with tilt-in-space rehab seating, so def not 'compact'. top speed is 6mph... not sure what its FCN is!

vermin

OptimisticBiker wrote:

navt wrote:

OptimisticBiker wrote:

In other news, I've been given a power wheelchair to save my left shoulder which is very sore.

Compact or triple? You know compact is the only way to go. Keep it up!

neither . its an oil tanker, a Spectra Plus with tilt-in-space rehab seating, so def not 'compact'. top speed is 6mph... not sure what its FCN is!

6mph would have been enough to take a few 'New-Year's-Resolution' scalps in RP this weekend!

Great to hear of some progress - I hope you have a successful 2013.

kingrollo

Just read the whole thread - devastating. I admire your courage OB.

If its any help (and its what you want) I did a load of research on recumbents last year due to a back problem. Hopefully I won't have to go that route. But in any case I came a across a great guy, whose knowledge of recumbents \ trikes may be useful. Just get in touch if want the details.

Meanwhile stick at and keep you chin up.

Best wishes to other poster whose son is recovering from cancer - must be hell for you. Best wishes.

optimisticbiker

kingrollo wrote:

Just read the whole thread - devastating. I admire your courage OB.

If its any help (and its what you want) I did a load of research on recumbents last year due to a back problem. Hopefully I won't have to go that route. But in any case I came a across a great guy, whose knowledge of recumbents \ trikes may be useful. Just get in touch if want the details.

Meanwhile stick at and keep you chin up.

Best wishes to other poster whose son is recovering from cancer - must be hell for you. Best wishes.

@KR yes, can you PM the info please.

most tricycle handbikes/recumbents I've seen are based on an external space frame. i'm working on some alternate ideas...

optimisticbiker

spent 15min on a hand exercise bike machine this morning... talk about knackering... i was less exhausted cycling up Holme Moss.

Brought it home to me how much fitness/lung capacity I've lost and also how much less power you have in arms v legs anyway.

meanredspider

kingrollo wrote:

Best wishes to other poster whose son is recovering from cancer - must be hell for you. Best wishes.

Thanks KR - that about covers it - but I've learned that you are only limited by yourself and you can achieve far more thn you ever thought possible - I'm sure OB will find this too. My son is doing fine now (touches wood) and making good progress.

OptimisticBiker wrote:

spent 15min on a hand exercise bike machine this morning... talk about knackering... i was less exhausted cycling up Holme Moss.

Brought it home to me how much fitness/lung capacity I've lost and also how much less power you have in arms v legs anyway.

Well done, OB. My neighbour (an ex-fireman) uses and hand bike and now runs a bike shop

jimmypippa

Well done OB

cjcp

OB - there's a chap who rides around Richmond Park in a hand-chair - Mark Telford, I think. He rides for Rapha Condor, doesn't avoid the hills, and doesn't hang around. Might be worth getting in touch to see if he can pass on some tips.

Not sure if it's too early to suggest this, but maybe a goal to have in mind.

Keep up the good progress, fella.

optimisticbiker

cjcp wrote:

OB - there's a chap who rides around Richmond Park in a hand-chair - Mark Telford, I think. He rides for Rapha Condor, doesn't avoid the hills, and doesn't hang around. Might be worth getting in touch to see if he can pass on some tips.

Not sure if it's too early to suggest this, but maybe a goal to have in mind.

Keep up the good progress, fella.

Impressive:
http://www.cyclingtimetrials.org.uk/New ... fault.aspx

Koncordski

Morning OB, hope the physioterrorists aren't too bad. What's on the cards for this week, i guess it's more work on balance and upper body to achieve Hulk-like arms?

optimisticbiker

Koncordski wrote:

Morning OB, hope the physioterrorists aren't too bad. What's on the cards for this week, i guess it's more work on balance and upper body to achieve Hulk-like arms?

pretty much, tho Hulk-like might be overly optimistic. Fortnightly Goal-planning session on Wed am, so one goal will be to increase time on hand bike exerciser to 30min.

kelsen

Glad to hear you're making such good progress OB! So how much mobility have you regained in your upper body now because I remember you saying it was an effort just to type?

mrc1

OptimisticBiker wrote:

Koncordski wrote:

Morning OB, hope the physioterrorists aren't too bad. What's on the cards for this week, i guess it's more work on balance and upper body to achieve Hulk-like arms?

pretty much, tho Hulk-like might be overly optimistic. Fortnightly Goal-planning session on Wed am, so one goal will be to increase time on hand bike exerciser to 30min.

If you can manage that you are a better man than me - we do three minute rounds on them as part of fight conditioning and one or two make me want to cry!!

optimisticbiker

kelsen wrote:

Glad to hear you're making such good progress OB! So how much mobility have you regained in your upper body now because I remember you saying it was an effort just to type?

Still is, esp after physio sessions! Arms & shoulders work mostly but still weak. Nothing works below nipple line so upper chest muscles have to do breathing. Hands do sweet FA at the mo.

10min on 'bike' today 3 + 4 + 3min, 1min rest between = 1.6km :? hard work!

davis

OB, I'm stunned, and humbled. All over again. Wow.

Keep it up mate.

EKE_38BPM

I don't post on this thread very often as I can only echo what others have already said, more eloquently than I can say it, but keep it up OB.

Are you still in Stanmore? My nephew had a spinal operation there about 10 years ago and my Dad had a shoulder operation there 20+ years ago, so when I had a spare TV and games console (they were surplus to requirement due to upgrades) I took them to Stanmore to donate. Its the only hospital I feel any connection to.

optimisticbiker

Still in Stanmore and likely to be here 3 - 4months at least

Yesterday tried FES on my arms to stimulate fingers. All a bit trial and error to find the right location for the electrodes. Very weird watching arms n wrist moving on their own! Didn't find fingers on this attempt. Stimulation is like an electric shock and quite painful. :shock:

velohutts

good effort this week , hopefully see some progress with the treatment!!! the delights of lance & oprah later in the week to 'talk' to the telly when it's on !!

Keep up the good work.

rjsterry

OptimisticBiker wrote:

kelsen wrote:

Glad to hear you're making such good progress OB! So how much mobility have you regained in your upper body now because I remember you saying it was an effort just to type?

Still is, esp after physio sessions! Arms & shoulders work mostly but still weak. Nothing works below nipple line so upper chest muscles have to do breathing. Hands do sweet FA at the mo.

10min on 'bike' today 3 + 4 + 3min, 1min rest between = 1.6km :? hard work!

Didn't even think that was possible, so I can only echo davis's comment.

spasypaddy

amazing, keep on going! You really are an inspiration

out of interest if your fingers dont work how do you type on here?

rubertoe

spasypaddy wrote:

amazing, keep on going! You really are an inspiration

out of interest if your fingers dont work how do you type on here?

That is a good question.

How are the Hulk like arms coming along OB, or are you still being tortured by the physioterrorist?

optimisticbiker

Did weights on machine today... 4kg lol

to type I have a hand splint that holds fingers rigid enough to press keys. but requires arm motion so quite tiring.

spasypaddy

oh ok.

Have you not turned on Siri and then you can voice control your ipad?

Good luck!

msmancunia

Ned Boulting's just tweeted asking if anyone with a spinal injury (C8 or above) wants to have a go at handcycling: https://twitter.com/nedboulting

Obviously I know you're still in recovery/rehab mode at the minute but the guy's details are on there - you should at least get in touch and see if you can get some advice?

dhope

msmancunia wrote:

Ned Boulting's just tweeted asking if anyone with a spinal injury (C8 or above) wants to have a go at handcycling: https://twitter.com/nedboulting

Obviously I know you're still in recovery/rehab mode at the minute but the guy's details are on there - you should at least get in touch and see if you can get some advice?

Chris Furber being the one to get in touch with
https://twitter.com/chrisfurber/status/ ... 1223610368

vermin

Just caught up with news here. Great to read about some progress.