Normal...well sort of!

This Thursday, for the first time since June 6th, I slung a leg over my trusty bicycle and peddled away with friends.  Just getting into my biking clothes was strange and even a bit difficult.  Fortunately, the way the waist band is cut on my bike shorts mirrored the angle of the incision, and was a half inch below!  That meant no irritating chaffing or pressure on a sensitive area.

Clipping into my pedals was another odd moment.  Being one with the bike again was a strange sort of commitment, almost a form of trust, that I could do this again.  Being "lopsided" since the weight of the scar tissue is on the right was a bit of a concern.  I wondered if it would effect my balance and how I felt coming to a stop and having to unclip my left foot, which is my preferred release foot.  After the first red light it came back as naturally as taking a deep breath...it just happened when needed.

Can't quite say the same for using the drops on my handlebars, that lower portion on most road bikes.  That continued to feel a tad strange and "fat" on the right side.  I know this will get better, as it doesn't feel as hard and inflexible as it did even a few weeks ago.  Now if I can just get the quads to get back to the strength they were back in May when I did my last century ride...Have I mentioned that I'm impatient?

Ahh well, guess I'll go do the hubby's "boring" little ride down to the Y in Burlington...it's only a 15 mile round trip... I'm already chomping at the bit for longer rides.  I'd rather go out for 20 to 25 today...but suspect that  may be pushing a bit too much.  Guess that means I really am back to "Normal"!!

Fin - well almost!

Well, almost!  My next check up isn't for months.  In fact, not till Dec. 6th.  That's six months almost to the day from my surgery.  Today's check up went very well, just too long as always.

 I've been given clearance to leg up on the bike!! Hooooray! and allowed back into the gym (although I didn't tell them I went to a Zumba class yesterday afternoon)  Real weights are out of the question till probably the Dec. appointment.  They want to be sure that I don't herniate anything.  So I'll be sticking with the lighter weights..which is good, I need to start rebuilding my base here.

If I had any doubts that about being in good shape helping with recovery, they were answered today.  One of my fellow donors, eight years younger than I, is having a really difficult recovery.  I'm sure she's somewhat fit, let's face it, or she'd never have been approved for donation.  Still, she's not even back at work at all yet and I'm actually going full time this week. How I feel about being back at my job is another story entirely.