New Baby in the house

I got to the bike build this morning after sitting in the chair of pain for 2 hours. I also ran some old shoes to the post office to be mailed to CHROME for an exchange for some new ones. What a deal I think. I then went into the bike cave and started to put it together. All I need to do is now is cut the steer tube down as I wanted to fit Nate on it first. Then put a new chain on it. It is a sweet bike and I think that Nate will like it. I have some tires stretching in the basement that I will have the shop glue them on the wheels as I will have some issues with the bum shoulder. But it should be a fun time at the track this summer. Later..

Outside brought Inside

A happy gate of racers with the sun at their back.

Tina, Payton and Nate hitting a gate.

Payton, Fred and Nate getting ready to mess with each other.

Hailey getting ready to pop a gate.

The sun beating on Hailey and Tina's back while in the gate's.

It was a great night at the track tonight. We opened the garage doors and let the great weather inside and it was awesome. The turn out was low as expected with the great weather outside but that meant that they get to hit gates all night till they dropped and the riders were as there was no waiting in between for them. I do have to say that I do drop the gates faster then the others, but for the last 4 weeks I have be doing all the gate dropping so they should be getting used to it. Next week is the last gate practice so con and get them while they last. This weekend is the triple point weekend so that means racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday for Nate along with the Jr Development races Saturday and Sunday, 16 and under series tossed in with the usual racing so he should be tired by Sunday night. If the weather is bad come out and check out some racing.

On other news Nate's Bianchi Super Pista track bike came in and that means I have some thing to do tomorrow. I will post pictures of it tomorrow when it is finished. Now I need to finish my beer. Later..

Gate practice tomorrow

Still 2 more gate practices to go before they are done. Got to get them in while we can. Later..

Barn Pic's

Payton, Hailey and Nate relaxing before the races.

All in the mains all happy as you can see.

Tina all happy taking some gates on Wednesday.

In the gate waiting to hit it.

Locked and loaded in the gate.

Here are a few pictures from the last weekend of racing a the gate practice Wednesday night. Today Nate and Maddie had off so I got some work out of them. Nate raked the lawn and Maddie folded the laundry while I sat int he chair for almost 5 hours today. I also ran to Ben's and and got a few things that were needed. Nate also got a nice ride in. Then my parents stopped in for the night on their way through home from Florida. Nice to see them as the last time was Christmas. Thought about going to Rhinelander with but there is way to much going on with the shoulder to go there it will have to what till Easter to get there I guess. But 24 is on and I got to go. Later..

Barn Buster

Today was another day of bmx racing at the barn. Nate raced in the open, class and cruiser again and after watching him go from open to right back in the gate in 5 motos to the cruiser and then a short break to back on the 20 inch makes me tired. But he does it all and does well so good for him. He hit it on all cylinders in the open main and took the 1st place today. He hit the gate perfect and went into the 1st corner and held off Justice for the first time and as many have said it would just be a matter of time for Nate and it came today. Great job is all I have to say. Then in cruiser Nate had to race Tyler and Alan and they are both one of the top racers in the country and Tyler is a World Champion so running right there with them is a great job. He was right there from start to finish and it won't be long before he takes a win there to. But had to settle for 3rd today. In 20 inch class Nate had to race the same guys and he was outside of 3 of 4 and he just got pinched and took a 4th place. In all a great day on the track. More neck week as there will be racing Friday, Saturday and Sunday for Nate. That should be fun and I wish I was racing so bad as watching was not that fun when I was so used to racing. Oh well that time will come again. Later..

1st Outdoor ride

Today I got in the chair of pain twice and rose the spin bike before I took Nate to Kenosha to ride with Jeremey, Gage, Mitch and Katie. All the way there it was decent and not raining. Well the punks get all dressed and ride off, then it starts to rain. They rode off and I took off so that Nate had nothing to come back to. I ran to the Jelly Belly store and bought 40#'s of candy. Then it was off to the outlet mall to pick 5#'s of flavor blaster good fish, oh I love those little fish. Then it was back to get Nate. As I pulled up and parked they pulled into the parking lot from their ride. They looked a little cold and wet but Nate said he enjoyed his first ride of the year. He hung on today said that he is looking forward to many more and dropping Buran on the Thursday night ride. Thanks Jeremey for taking the Jr's out for the ride in crappy weather.

Tomorrow it is back to racing the little bikes for Nate. Yes the bmx bikes as Nate has made the commitment to that and there is just 3 weeks left. He is also in the running for a track champion coat and number plate again. So bmx racing it will be tomorrow instead of the Kenosha races. It is to bad that we miss the Kenosha races as we always liked to do them in the past. But the bmx is the winter fun and Nate wants finish the season. So good luck to all those who racing the Kenosha races. Now back to the chair of pain. Later..

Routine

The routine of getting in the chair 4 times a day has gotten easier to do now. I get one in right away in the morning shortly after waking up and then after eating some breakfast and brushing the teeth it is in it again. Then I get on the spin bike for an workout to break up the chair times. Then it is shower eat lunch and 2 more times in the chair. I don't like being in the routine of just sitting in the chair but if I don't I won't get better, so I have to sit in it.

On another note if the rain holds out I'm going to try to get Nate to a group ride with the other Jr's tomorrow. So I got the fingers crossed that the rain gives them a chance to ride together. Then it will be recover and get his stuff packed and race the bmx races on Sunday. I Hope that Nate can handle it.

Plus on a sad note I read yesterday that Granny Gear has trashed the 24 hour races that it has taken under it's wings. I did 6 of the 24-9 races and always enjoyed the experience. Of course that was when Kevin was running the show so they were awesome events back then. I did not do it last year so I can't say how the event was. I can't remember any comments from the race last year from others either other then the Jr's giving a run at the top spot. But in all it sucks that the little toad Laird Knight has ruined a good thing. Hope that Kevin kicks the toad in the junk and takes back the 24-9 as that would be cool. Now it is time to make some homemade popcorn and watch movie. Later..

Saddle time

The time in the chair was a little as I got out and went to the store and got the new COG magazine. As many think oh Jay you have it made as you don't have to work and get to sit and watch TV and do nothing. Well let me tell you that having to sit in the chair for an hour at a time 4 times a day takes the entire day to get done. You sit an hour and then take a hour plus break and then back in the chair. It sucks and hurts, the pain is less each day but it still does hurt. Plus today I increased the range of motion distance to today. But at least I got the OK to ride the spin bike yesterday from the Dr. so I did ride for 45 minutes. Not a long ride but having to rest your weight on 1 arm or sit up does get old. I plan on increasing the time and then go to 2 times a day on the bike to. But like all this recovery it has to be small steps. I got the 4 times in the chair out of the way already so now I can relax and try to get some sleep tonight. I had a rough night again but I think it may have been from sitting at the bmx track last night. But I only got 5 hours of sleep last night so I am tired tonight. Another plus tonight is that Cece's Mom made a dinner for us yesterday before she took me to my Dr. appointment. That makes it easy for us tonight which helps with the family having to help me so much. Well time to eat. Later..

Nate's Gate's

Here are some pictures from Guy of Nate at Gate practice tonight.

I went along for the ride and dropped gates all night. It was nice to get out of the house and move around. I got a ride to the Dr. from Cece's Mom for a follow up today and the Dr. said that everything is going along good. I have permission to drive and sit on the spin bike. I can now start to hang the arm and spinning it in circles and also take it out of the sling to straighten out the elbow witch I have to say is really sore. The pain is lighter right now but when I try to sleep that is when it kicks up and hurts like hell. Maybe in a few days I will get a full night of sleep that is all I ask for. The Dr also said that she will look at the progress and in 2 weeks she may let me start some PT in about a month after the surgery which would be nice. Now time to relax and see if I can fall asleep before the pain hits. Later..

Better Day

Today was a better day as for the pain level. I woke up and there was a sharp shooting pain but after a percocet and a 1/2 hour with the cooling pad on that was taking care. I have sat in the chair of pain 3 times so far today and I am going to try to get in it 1 more time tonight. Trying to get 4 hours in the chair is a full time job as when you try to get the cooling pad on and then eat, shower and relax the day is done and so am I. But I am going to try to get 4 times a day to try to keep the progress going and get back to full strength ASAP. I thought this would be a relaxing time after the surgery but trying to sit in the chair and icing the shoulder has had me more tired then when I was working and riding. But tomorrow I go to the Dr. and I am hoping that he gives the OK to ride the spin bike and then in a few weeks the rollers.

I have gotten out the last 2 days to walk over and pick up Jessica when she gets out from school. Her teacher asked me if I could come in once the shoulder gets the OK to sit in her class and help some of the kids that need a little help. I will give it a try and see if I can help. I think that I will be happier being at work but I will give it a try.

Then Len Stopped over and I got the last 4 boxes of Girl Scout cookies that I ordered. Oh yeah I paid for the team kits I ordered. Nothing like a few 100 bucks flying out the door. Oh yeah I got 2 TUFO Track tires to that I have to figure out how I am going to get on the stretching rims and then on the wheels for Nate. May be a teachable moment for Nate real soon. I may have to run them to Ben's to get done though because of the bum arm. But all paid up and now to get the Fly order in and then all done on bmx stuff to. Then all I have to do is see what Nate needs for his EXPO order and then get that in and be done for a while. Later..

All Alone

My little spot that I have claimed, for well do nothing all day.

Today was the first day that I have been by myself since the surgery last Thursday. I am big boy but the fact that I can't lift my arm up makes doing many things near impossible or just impossible. I have figured out what is worth trying and doing and the rest well just doesn't happen. I have sat in the chair 2 times today and the first time was OK and it was a little painful and by the end was OK. The 2nd time was OK and by the end it was painful. I will sit it in 1 more time but I am letting the shoulder rest as I have time to rehab and trying to much to fast will only set me back. The tough thing is that I still have not got the range of motion to put the cooling system wrap on so I have to wait till the kids or Cece gets home to help on that one. It will only take time to get the things down and I will be fine. I also don't have the permission to drive so I am also stuck sitting here meaning that Cece drove the kids to school this morning and that they have to take the bus home. I am going to walk and get Jessica when she gets out after school, nice thing is that it is only 1/2 a block away. The weather looks nice and I can't wait to get outside even if it is just to walk down the block to get Jess. Back to the lazy boy chair as the shoulder is sore. Later..

Day 3

My chair of pain....

Today has been a better day then the last 2. The pain has been a lot less as it is turned into more of an ache then the pain it was. I slept alright during the night as I only had to reach into the percocet bottle once at midnight. I think I twitched pretty hard and jerked the shoulder and then there was some pain that wouldn't go away without a little help. But after that it was OK as I only had to get up 3 more times to just change the position of the shoulder.

I do have to say that seeing the temps in the 50's really makes me wish I was riding but I must heal first. Plus it will be a while and I'm already in the mind set that it will just at least a few weeks off the bike. The good thing is when I do get back on the bike I will be fresh and recovered and hungry to be back on the saddle. But I know one thing is that I will have a fight on my hands to weather I get to ride my Tarmac again as Nate is going to make claim to it because he will have more miles on it then me. Well hell he will be faster so I guess I will just have to give it to him. We will figure out what to do about it later.

Nate is at the bmx races thanks to Fred and Tammy for taking him over night. Fred had some work to do in the area and picked Nate up yesterday so Cece didn't have to try to get him there for the races today. Thanks Fred and Tammy for the help as it really made things better for Cece to help me this morning and all. Now I just hope that they all race well. Well time to get in the chair. Later..

Cleaned up

My red neck T shirt that I made today.

Today Cece and Maddie took the wrap off the shoulder so I could take shower. I'm glad that Cece was patient taking it off as it took a while so not to hurt me to much. It took a long time as the Doctors went over board with the tape. But after it was great to get the wrap and gauze off. Then Cece found a old sling that we had and I put it on and hopped in the shower. It felt great to get cleaned up and now I'm sitting back getting ready to take a nap. I have to say a big thanks to Fred for coming and getting Nate and taking him to BMX tomorrow so Cece can take care of me. Later..

PAIN

I was told that this was going to hurt, boy were they right. Holy crap does it hurt at times. But hey I figure there is always someone worse off then me. I know it doesn't make it better but I feel better. Jessica gave me here build a bear to hug when the pain gets to bad and helps relieve it for a while. I got in the chair 2 times today and that may have brought the pain levels a little higher as the nerve block is gone now. Well 6 weeks of recovery and then a few months of rehab, maybe with a little luck I'll be back to work by the end of July. Hopefully racing by the Fat Tire 40. I need to take some drugs. Later..

Done deal

After driving the punks to school I got home and the phone rang asking if I could come in early as the Doctor was ahead of schedule and could get me in an hour earlier. Cece and I loaded the truck with the needed slings and headed in. We got there and went through the procedures and before I knew it I was done and in recovery. I can't wait to be back to normal and back in business, but it will be a few months. No pain right now a I had a nerve blocked and the shoulder and arm are numb so I am in happy land. I was told that the pain will be great and I will want to stay on top of the meds or I will suffer greatly. So the drugged up posts will start soon. Now the kids and I are watching Couples Retreat. I have a feeling I watching a lot of movies in the coming weeks. SAW 6 is up next. Later..

Surgery day

I'm getting ready to head in for shoulder surgery. The issue that I have is the Labral tear or also called a SLAP tear. It is a in and out in an hour but the recovery and PT is anywhere form 4 to 6 months. As when it is done you have to be careful to not do anything that will tear it again or you are right back to where you started. So I will try to be good and not push my luck and ruin the job the Dr does. Time to get to the hospital as they just called and asked me to come early as the Dr is a head of schedule. Nice. Later..

Going under

The chair of pain is in it's place along with the cooling machine ready to get me back up and going after the surgery tomorrow. I go in at 8:45am and then under the knife at 10:45am. Cece is going to wait and bring me home in the afternoon and then the pain and drugs kick in. Now I get to like always have nothing after midnight. Tonight Nate and I hit the gate practice and he rode while I dropped gates night. Bit it is hard to sit there and watch people ride all night. This is going to be one long ass summer is all I have to say. But as long as I heal and I am pain free it is going to be worth it. Now I must get ready for the surgery. Later..

Going on's

Here is a picture that I snapped of Nate before the races this weekend. I will catch a few more pictures as I will be sitting watching many of his races this spring and summer. But the great pictures that pop up here are taken by Guy and Sam as they have great camera's and a great eye of where to be. Tomorrow is gate practice and I will be dropping the gates as they riding in now done for sure for a while.

Here is a picture of the sore on my knee that happened a month ago. It is healing slowly as I would expect from all the ones that have happened in the past. One other good thing is that I don't feel any pain in that leg making it very easy to deal with. The flap that was present at the beginning slowly dried up and fell off a few weeks ago making the entire area open and now it is slowly healing. The good thing is that is not infected, although it looks bad I hope that heals by the time my shoulder does. I have the surgery on Thursday at 10:45am. Then the world of pain for the next 4 to 6 months. Time to eat my chicken pot pies. Later..

Marching on

Today was a 1/2 day of work, I had to use the 1/2 day up or lose it so I took it off today. I'm also taking off tomorrow and Wednesday so I can get the last few things together before the surgery on Thursday. I have to get the last info from the Doctors office tomorrow and run the car in to get looked at. May have a head gasket leak there and that will be a few $ that I don't want to spend but it is cheaper then a new car. Plus we can take it in while I'm laid up. Then on Wednesday I have to wait for the mechanical chair and ice sling to be delivered. Then on Wednesday night I will take Nate to gate practice and hope that I will be moving enough to take him again next week. That we will have to wait and see if I will be able to move well enough. But now I need to get to 24. Later..

BMX'n

Nate coming at you on his cruiser.

Nate pulling a 3rd place in this moto in the USAC Jr race.

Nate pulling a manual down the 3rd straight.

Bill and I going into turn 2.

My 2nd moto and I held off Carey to make it to the main. Pictures again taken by Guy.

Today we raced at the barn and had a great time. Plus had a chance to hang with some fun people. Nate raced his butt off today as he raced 4 categories. He raced the USAC Jr Development race and tied for 3rd but a tie breaker moved into 4th. He raced awesome today and is looking faster each time he gets on the track. Then he raced open and took a 1st place, a 2nd place in the cruiser and just missed making the 20 inch main. I took a 3rd in both cruiser and 20 inch today. I just made it to the main in the cruiser and rolled it out and then in the 20 I was just rolling it out and 2 racers touched and bobbled and I took a few hard pedal strokes and moved form 5th to 3rd. Good day of racing and now it is time to prepare for the shoulder surgery on Thursday. Later..

DAY 1

Nate and I hit day 1 of the bmx races tonight and he took a 3rd in open, a 3rd in cruiser and a 4th in 20 inch class. I raced to fill some classes and took a 2nd in 20 inch and a 3rd in cruiser. Then Nate went home with Fred and Bernie to spend the night there. Nice as he gets to sleep in and I have to drive home and back. I have not driven to or from the bmx track for 2 months and I have to say I don't miss it. The girls are at Cece's mothers house for the night so we have a nice quite house and that I have to say is real nice. Now time to have a beer and watch some Olympics. Later..

Less then 1 week

After today there is less then 1 week until the shoulder surgery and less then 1 day of work left. I am working a 1/2 day on Monday and then taking the afternoon off as I have a 1/2 day of carryover vacation that I need to use or lose it and being that I am taking off Tuesday to run some errands and then Wednesday I have to wait for the delivery of my PT chair of pain and the special sling to be delivered. So in no time I will in the world of pain but on the track to getting the shoulder back to normal. I am both happy that the shoulder is going to get fixed but on the other hand I have heard that there is going to be a ton of pain. Oh well I guess I better get a few bullets and suck it up. The word form the Doctor is that there is a 4 to 6 month recovery from the surgery, meaning no work and no chances of really jamming it like crashing in a race so the season is going to be over really before it starts. But I will still be able to ride just not race so I hope to put in a ride or two once the OK is given. But now I may as well enjoy a beer and that to will be less likely to happen in the coming few weeks to. Later..

Pic's from Guy last night

Here are a few pictures that Guy got of Nate last night. He didn't get any of Nate laying on the ground after his crash but we can only hope that he gets one next time. Nate said he was sore today and he is doing OK and should be ready for the weekend. My shoulder felt good today and the pain is turning into a ache and I can tolerate that till the surgery. I hope that it holds up so I can get a good night of sleep tonight as that has been tough for the last couple of weeks and it will only get worse in the weeks to come. Off to lay down and get some rest. Later..

Gates

Nate and I went to gate practice and Nate had his first day of driving in the snow. He did alright and I only had to tell him to leave more space from the car in front of us a few times. Once there all I did was drop gates as the race season is done for me. The shoulder is fried and with the surgery on Thursday I just don't have anything left in it. All good though as I had fun racing and I look forward to getting back to it in 5 to 6 months. Nate took a killer spill today as he was at full speed and did a nose wheelie and the went over the bars head first into the triple. He hit hard and walked away and went right back in to the gates. Tough as I would had laid there and cried. Then we went out to eat with Russell, Ray and few of Ray's friends for some awesome Mexican treats. Nice company and fun times. Now I need to tr to sleep as that is tough with the shoulder. Later..

New stuff coming

The device above is a Kinex ThermoComp that helps keep the cold on the shoulder a steady amount that keeps the pain down along with the swelling to. Not looking forward to it at all.

This is the Kinex Continuous Passive Motion chair in the picture above starts moving the shoulder the day after the surgery and I have to sit in for a few hours a day. It helps keep the muscles and tendons loose and prevents them from causing issues like stiffness and most of all a possible frozen shoulder. I will refer to this chair and the chair of pain as from what I hear that is what it will be causing for a few months. Boy this is some crazy crap to go through for for this stupid shoulder injury. I hope it all goes well and I am back to work and riding ASAP. Later..

T Minus 10

A snap shot of what will be done in 10 days.

Yeah there are 10 days till I have the SLAP Tear in the left shoulder taken care of. I can't wait to get it done as trying to left my arm or anything for that fact is so painful I can not describe it, not like I have been in pain before. I can pull up and push down but lifting anything kills me. Most days are OK but there are some like this morning with the weather change that just made the shoulder stiff and achy. By the end of the day I felt better but it still reminds me that it is jacked up every now and then to keep it real. I have been reading up on the SLAP Tear on line and I have to say this is going to be a 4 to 6 month healing process. But I will listen and not push it as I don't want to take and steps back to prevent me from working and riding. Now I need another Vicadin and some rest. Later..

Bust'n it at the barn

Nate and Jac going done straight 2. Nate got Jac in turn 2 with a nice low high move to claim the 2nd overall.

Nate on his cruiser on the 3rd straight.

Nate on his 20 on straight 3.

Chris and myself going down the 2nd straight and I got Chris in turn 2 with a low high and finished 1st overall in the end. Pictures taken by Guy.

Nate and I headed to the barn for some fun and fast racing. We got there and I got us paid for and then Nate asked me if I signed him up for the open and I said no, he asked if he could and said here is the money go for it. He did and then it was warm up time and then hit the gates. I took a few to try to be nice to the sore shoulder and it paid off as it felt OK during the races. I do have to say I can't wait to get it taken care of as it is weaker everyday. Well back to the racing as Nate had a good day as he took a 2nd in the open and then another 2nd in cruiser. In his 20 inch class he took a 2nd also and raced the best he has all year. Good hard clean racing for him. I didn't make to the cruiser main today as I bonked the gate and blew it. In the 20 inch I won the first moto with a nice low high on Jim in turn 1 and held it to the finish. In the 2nd moto I did a nice low high on Chris in turn 2 to get a 2nd and that left Jim and I tied going in to the final moto. So I was sitting back a little in the 3rd moto and Jim lost it and went down and I got around him and sat down and rolled in for a 2nd in the moto and taking 1st place overall so it was nice. Now we are just waiting for the snow. Later..

Fish Fry

We went to a fish fry at St Augustine's tonight and I have to say it was a nice deal. The place was packed and the cooks couldn't keep up with the people coming in. We had to wait for a few minutes while they were trying to catch up but it was well worth the wait. To bad Maddie didn't want to come along as she had a friend over and they ate a bag of chips after school so they wanted to stay home as they weren't hungry. Maddie did ask us to bring a dinner home but the line was long and we didn't want to wait so she got nothing. I know we are bad but oh well her choice not to come in the first place, but the reaction of " Where is mine? " and Cece telling her still there as we didn't want to wait was awesome. Maybe next time she will come along. After the dinner we went to Target to get a gift for our nephew's 2nd birthday party. On the way home Jess wanted to stop at Fantasy Gifts to shop, she knew what they sold there . What the heck? That blew my mind. Now time to watch some Olympics. Later..

Gate's and more Gate's

Nate and Jac going into turn 1.

Nate laughing and Fred showing a look of fear going into turn 1. Nate loves playing with Fred.

Nate busting a gate during the night.

What a mouth full of jelly belly's look like

Nate looking at his list and taking names. Who's name is at the top? Just joking Nate was counting his jelly beans. But a fun night and random gates at the night to top it off. Good night at the barn again. Awesome pictures by Guy.

Nate is a over night retreat with his school class. I'm hoping that we don't get a call that he is goofing off. I know he will behave and participate in the retreat. But most important is that he learns something while he is there. That's All. Later..

Going under the knife

Got the call today and I'm having the surgery the shoulder on March 4th. Then it is any where from 4 to 6 months of recovery and rehab. Going to be a fun summer I think. Just want the pain to go away and be able to lift the arm again. Later..

Puczki'a

How could that be that I had a physical today and it was fat Tuesday. I stopped by the bakery as I do every year for a dozen Puczki's. I was good as I only ate 1 all day before the physical. I don't think it would had mattered as I weighed less this time then I did at my last one 3 years ago. It was only 4 pounds but it was lighter none the less. The rest of the tests went fine and I got a clean bill of health. I did get a prescription filled for the pain in the shoulder. The funny thing was that my Doctor fell the other day and broke his arm and is seeing the same Doctor that is taking care of my shoulder, so he must be good. But I am still waiting to hear from the Doctor about the next step. I will call the office tomorrow if I don't hear anything by noon. Just have to get it over with. But I did eat 3 Puczki's now today and I'm going to take on a bag of M&M's that I got for 1/2 price at Walgreen's waiting for the prescription to be filled. Time to live it up and eat #4 Puczki now as I have another year before my next physical. Now I'm off to a school board meeting. Later..

SLAP tear

Here is a you tube film of the surgery that the Doctor is recommending for me. Great, just what I need another surgery on top of the 47 plus I already have had. I have a Labral Tear or as it is called a SLAP tear. Oh well let's have done and get to work getting better. Thanks stupid trailer at work. Later..