Should have done what they told me to do...

I rode yesterday and it felt great so I ventured out for a real group ride and met up with the CARTI training ride at 2. John, Bandon, Jenny, Lauren, David and Blake (proud owner of the Allez!) were all there. Everyone for the most part knew I couldn't hear but I was still surprised I could communicate a little while riding. Brandon hung back with me a bit then I told him to go on I was fine. For some strange reason my throat was getting raw by the second. I would drink and not a few minutes later it was hurting again. I felt fine otherwise. We got to the regroup point and being temp-deaf really bites because I couldn't really cut up with the others.



We take off again and I am determined to stay with the front group on the way back. Another rider pulled up beside me and was telling me something about my bike. Oh great I thought, here I am completly deaf and I have a guy I've not met before talking away about my bike. I couldn't tell if he was talking about he liked it or what then I realized there was something wrong. I flat I say? No riding fine. Then something else so I stop... dang, there goes the front group. Come to find out it was purple gum that I rode through and it stuck to my tire then flew and stuck to the rear brake and then stretched and was all over the place back there and that included my shorts. I had a big purple Specialized "S" symbol on my shorts. Looked like someone sprayed silly string. Man, I was embarassed but climbed back on and rode. I laughed and told the guy I'll just have to keep my shirt pulled down back there.



I drafted behind a couple guys for a bit then when on around and hoped to get the second group where David and Blake were. I caught up and did fine until we split at the red light going back to the river. UGH! Now I can't be dropped by the second group too! There were 4 of us at the light and I went on ahead as we got close to the river, looked back and there was no one. I did not break off that fast at all.Well I got to the river and then everything went downhill! I wasn't a normal bonk, it was a sick feeling. I spotted the second group and tried everything to catch but never happened.



Finally got to the car and it seemed like a hundred degrees and there they were... the chills. Oh crud! I grabbed the water and drank... ugh... it's warm. I slow down and sip, then have a little FRS and switch back and forth slowly. I'm having real chills and it's tripping me. I'm wanting to pull over on the side of the road and sleep a moment. I've never done that! I run through the mental checklist. All I can hear are 3 people I trust telling me I should have an easy ride schedule this weekend. I also see myself firing back that it was only 30 miles...geesh. How much easier do I have to go? Then I start really thinking... ok you had a pain pill last night and you have 3 different antibodics going through your system. Maybe a fast 30 is a bit much. Sigh...



I get home and clean up, drink and eat a bit and flop down on the sofa and watch... bicycle racing. And what do I hear? How such and such is riding really well today even with such and such injury. Gawd, I hate young pros and their super human strength! No not really, I deeply admire them!I begin to feel much better but stay put on the sofa with my trusty dog.



It's really been a great weekend! I'll take a very very easy spin tomorrow, try and ride with the group on Tuesday, easy on Wednesday, maybe a easy spin on Thursday, nothing on Friday then go up to Altus and ride the tour of Wine Country on Saturday if I can wear my hearing aid. Terri is excited because it's a festival. She can shop... oh boy-ee! Goody! HA! I can actually do the century (100 miles) if I feel up to it. If not, maybe the metric century which is 63 miles.The training for the River 2 River ride is kicking in major league big time this month so I'll be on the bike a lot. I'm ready to return to serious training.



I read a quote from Helen Keller that goes... "Being blind seperates you from things. Being deaf seperates you from people." That is so true. I still am shocked by how isolated a deaf person must feel sometimes. It is a very very isolated feeling and it's making my training have a really special meaning. I don't want kids to go through what I'm experiencing right now. I am very blessed that my deafness is temperary... very blessed!



To donate to the River 2 River ride to help children with hearing impairments go to http://www.archildrens.org/ and click on the donate now button and note it's for the bike ride.



It's all for the kids!

Geo.

Sonic Boom, Mr. President and I rode!

That title got ya didn't it? Here, I'll break it out for you...

Sonic Boom: Mary Martha who is my hearing aid and audiology guru wanted me to try what is called a "Boomer" hearing aid in my deaf ear while my other ear was healing. Said it might not work at all but then I may pick up some sound like a car or something. I stopped by and Mary was out and Patti and Nan worked on the set up. First aid was nothing so Nan went to get a kicker boomer. With the first I could feel the vibes bouncing off my ear drum and that is a sign that is loud. It really makes you dizzy. So we plug in the second on and BOOM!!!!! It was knee jerk effect. Serious. It hurt so bad that I jumped and my knee banged under the table. No sound but oh man could I feel it. I told them that was wilder than Space Mountian. Thanks but no thanks friends!

Mr. President: Ok, we have a lot of celebs that come to the hospital and most come and go and the staff, for the most part, don't even know it. Well that happened to me yesterday. Angel One (Yep, my Transport heros) went to Mexico to get a little boy that needed a heart transplant. It was all over the news the day I had surgery. So I go across the street to the main lobby to Java City and there were all these people coming towards me. I didn't really think a lot about it because sometimes we have kids with very large family support groups so it's not unusal. I walked through the doors as they were walking out, said the customary ACH Hello, how are you... and proceeded to get my order from Java. I noticed that Sonya and the others from Java kept looking over at the doors at all the people on the sidewalk and whispering. No big deal. I walk back over to my office and get my afternoon work done. Ok, so here I am sitting on a Saturday morning drinking coffee and watching a little of a local morning news show and what do I see??? A film clip from the front of the hospital and those people... Oh gosh!! Geo, note to yourself... be aware of the people in your surroundings. I walked right by President Vincent Fox and the First Lady of Mexico. I was sitting there with my mouth open in awe that I would do that. You know it's just one of those things when a "star" is in a different setting you just don't recongize them. They had come to the hospital while he was in town for a speaking engagment to visit the little Mexican boy.

I rode: Yes, I did! I rode a solo ride along the river trail on the north side a time and a half. It felt so good! Weather was back to normal and the state soccer tourney was going on so people everywhere. A lot of folks having picnics along the river banks. The ride felt good and it was nice to wake the legs up after a week and a half off. I'll be back out there tomorrow and ride a little longer and try to ride a little all week and get back in the groove.

Fun weekend so far!

The grinch who stole my fun!

He looked at me with evil red eyes and took it. He did I tell ya! I just stood there wondering what on earth just happened? Am I having a nightmare? Pitch yourself. It all happened in an instant but then again it was in slow motion. I just stood then in awe. Really I did. I just stood there.

I broke the cleat on my shoe!!!! UGH!!!!!!

I looked forward to the ride since about 10:30 this morning. I thought about the ride. I planned the ride then that nasty foul breath Grinch broke my cleat and I couldn't clip into the pedal to ride.

Just as I was about to push off I saw the club ride by. Smooth as a pro team could ever be. I was behind the car off to the side parking lot about a mile or so from the start point. Just after they went by I started to clip in and noticed I couldn't clip. I tired everything and finally click and I'm in but something is really off center here. I try to unclip. Nope, not gonna happen. Try and try and try and finally pop and it's off. I mean completely off. The cleat is broken and part of it is still on the pedal. Awww man!

Back in the car I go and drive back to the house.

Ok, now the nice part of the story... as I got out of the car I could smell someone cooking out. Yes-izzz, it's us! Well, my wife. Grilled chicken is on the menu tonight and that made this ole boy feel a lot better!

Well kids, there's always tomorrow! I hear voices telling me "Ahh young grasshopper, one must learn to be flexible." I just lean back and look at the wise one and say, "Yeah, man, ain't that the truth?!"

******BONUS CLIP******* DELETED SCENE********
Here's a blurry on purpose shot of the back of my ear. Look close, the incision really goes all the way down the back of my ear. Ewwww! HA!

Thanks Dr. John Dornhoffer and Brenda Speed!

Released to ride again!! Yep, that’s what they told me!

I went to the ENT clinic over at UAMS where Brenda removed the packing from my post-op ear. I saw the first of it coming out and closed my eyes because it was nasty! I talked myself into releasing the tension in my shoulders and relax my hands and breathe. A few seconds later I was cheering her on saying stuff like, “Ohh, that was a big piece.” The cool thing about Dr. Dornhoffer’s clinic is you get to watch a TV monitor of what they are doing. I could see down into my ear. It’s the coolest thing! I wish I could have had a tape of it. By the way, if you want to know more about the Otolaryngology clinic over at UAMS click here…www.otolaryngology.uams.edu/otology/team.asp

The visit went super easy and fast and I was about to leave and was asked not to put my hearing aid back in for a couple of weeks. Bummer, we’re going with the 3 week plan huh? But then I was given the best news… “Geo, you can train again!” Stop, turn and look, smile really big!!! I got the thumbs up to return to training?! Yea-izzzz!!!! I felt the spring in my step return at the moment and I felt like I grew a couple of inches!

First thing I did was emailed Mark (coach) to let him know I got the “Get out of Jail free” card. He said the timing of everything is just right. Man, I was glad to hear that!

I am counting down the seconds until 5 o’clock comes around so I can bound out the back door and down the steps, jump in the car and get home. I have been mentally getting my gear together all afternoon. Don’t forget water. Don’t forget sunglasses. Grab ya a gel or two. WooHoo! Oh, air those bad boy tires up. Oh man, you still haven’t put the computer on your new bike. Yeah, I know. It does me good sometimes to just ride. That’s the plan today anyway, just get out and enjoy a ride.

Oh yeah baby… life to goooood!

To donate to the River 2 River ride for children with hearing impairments, log on to www.archildrens.org

Chipping away

Chipping away is what I’m doing today. That last blog entry must have been more out of character than I thought because I’ve gotten a ton of emails from friends, family and training buds. I didn’t mean to come across as negative Joe but the world of no noise is one that you have to get used to. I seemed to hit the bottom yesterday and when I went home I was completely exhausted. Serious, it took everything I had to get through the day. But I did it didn’t I?!

This morning I attended my first staff meeting and even though I didn’t get all of the discussion it was good to be in there and follow what I could. By the end of the meeting I knew what the new policies and procedures where going to be. I did it all without sound.

I’m counting down the moments until I get to get this packing stuff taken out of my ear! I keep thinking I am hearing certain sounds and getting excited! On of the things that is unusual is the consistent hum. It sounds like an air conditioner running all the time. It’s not loud at all.

Also I hope to get my bike release on Thursday! I almost feel like a little kid…. Please please, I’ll never ask for anything else again as long as I live. HA! I know I’ll have to take it easy and do recovery type rides but still just to be able to get out there and ride will do me wonders!

You know that new bike I bought? Well I’ve had plenty of well meaning friends offer to ride it while I’m off. HA! You have to understand my buds. If I were to crash they would ask if the bike was ok?! Ya gotta love ‘em.

Did I tell you about the banana pudding? Oh man! Talk about timing! Sunday night I was surprised with a bowl of banana pudding from Janice and Terry Williams. My teeth were hurting from the swallowing and it just plain was a pest to eat but this was soft and sugary goodness! If you go to the Symphony Designer House this year and see the name Terry Williams… yep, he is guy I’m talking about. He is also the guy that got me into this home remodeling project. Awesome designer and he and Janice are the nicest folks in the world. I ALWAYS laugh when I’m around them. Thanks guys!

All for the kids!
Geo

To donate to the River 2 River ride go to www.archildrens.org and click on donate!

In the land of silence.

In the land of silence.

In the land of silence where I live today is a very different place then I knew last week. I see things but there is no soundtrack to go along with the visual. This is very strange.

I know so many times we take our hearing for granted. Never again will I do this. This is just a short list of things I didn’t hear this morning:
1) I didn’t hear our dog wanting back in after I let her out.
2) I didn’t hear if I shut the door too loud.
3) I didn’t hear if I was banging the dishes in the kitchen.
4) I didn’t hear if the TV was turned up when I flipped it on.
5) I didn’t hear Emily tell me by this morning
6) Nor did I hear my wife tell me by either. (Both were in the form of a hug).
7) I didn’t hear the cars around us as we drove to work (Terri drove).
8) I didn’t hear the car door close
9) I didn’t hear my keys as I unlocked my office
10) I didn’t hear anyone say good morning
11) I didn’t hear people walking by my office door
12) I didn’t hear my phone
13) I didn’t hear my printer
14) I don’t hear the tapping of the keys on my keyboard
15) I don’t hear the people talking in the hall even though I see them
16) I didn’t hear any cars as I walked to the lobby of the hospital
17) I didn’t hear the greeters telling me good morning
18) I didn’t hear the waterfall in the lobby
19) I didn’t hear the “phish” of steam that the espresso machine makes at Java City
20) I didn’t hear Sonya joke about my order
21) I didn’t hear coworkers ask me how the surgery went while waiting for my coffee.
22) I didn’t hear the fire truck coming
23) I didn’t hear the music playing

… and it’s only 8:30 in the morning…. What will the next 3 weeks be like?

Yes, being deaf will make me a better man… much better!

All systems go!

Yep, that's the latest fashion statement...
sport supporter cup for the ear!

(It's actually the protector for the packing in my ear)

Got to the hospital at 6 and was in preop by 6:10. That was fast! Got to wear the paper gown and everything.

High points of the day.
Preop nurse was Sheila, super nice lady.
Versed (pronounced vers-said). It's the shot in the IV that makes you not care.
Judy, the OR nurse.
John, my doc
Brenda, doc's nurse (the boss)

The recovery staff that thought I lost my mind! Keep reading!

When I came out of the land of ZZZ's the recovery nurse was standing there rubbing my arm and talking nice to me. I had a bet with some friends that I'd act a fool if I could remember so I did! I looked up at her, put my hands on my chest and asked her if my breast implants took alright?! She looked at me then busted out laughing and the nurse helping the person in the recovery bed next to mine busted out laughing too then she told a whole desk of staff and they were all laughing! Jason owes me lunch! They knew I was joking but I was hoping to brighten their day a little. I heard it was a very busy surgery schedule.

I came home and slept a while then got up and watched Ray on FX. Ok, here's a funny story for you. Here I am watching a movie about a blind guy and I'm deaf. Ain't that a real Helen Keller combo for ya?! By the way, the movie is awesome!

My parents came by for a few minutes with my sister. Man, dad looked great! He has lost a lot of weight since he is eating right again.

It's killing me that the weather has returned to beautiful Arkansas spring time and the club is out riding right now and I can't. All in good time!

Ok, on being deaf: friends, this is not fun already. I figured out that I can read some peoples lips real easy and others hardly at all. My dad is one of those I could read very well. He doesn't move his mouth much when he talks so he would say something and then I'd look at Terri and she'd repeat it and most of the time I knew what she was saying. I think by the end of this 3 weeks I will really have a feeling towards deaf people. In all honest, I thnk this is going to make me a better person.

I watched Wheel of Fortune tonight and there was an Energizer commercial and it was for hearing aid batteries! Thanks Energizer you're a great sponsor!