I propose a thread honoring old age in which each person lists their current physical ailments and general excuses that prevent them from beating people like Paul Smith and Rich Saeger.
I will lead with a growing list of my own.
1. Shoulder pain
2. Heart palpatations
3. High cholesterol
4. Left hip stress fracture
5. Lower back pain (from shoveling snow!)
6. Wife and 3 kids.
Perhaps we can give an award to the winner and the biggest whiner at the end of this thread.
John Smith
Former Member
Love the wine, oops I mean whine -- received the "Cheese & Crackers" award (to go with my whine) from my coaches after State meet 2005 of course, I didn't think I deserved it. I thought "Most Spirited While Injured Master Swimmer Award" would have been more appropriate.
Fell down on ice in the parking lot at my 2nd master swim meet Feb. 2005 -- more than 27 years since last time I swam -- hurt a lot, swam anyway and continued swimming until after state meet and I couldn't stand the pain anymore, saw surgeon who went in to fix everything.
I am about fully recovered from that RC/Labrum (5 anchors in left shoulder) surgery 2005 and I am finally about 95% recovered from right shoulder bursitis/tendonitis, which became horrible while I was recovering from the left shoulder injury. While working on the right shoulder, out of the pool because I cannot make myself do kick/breastroke workouts only. I was diagnosed w/thyroide disease last spring; surgery followed, pathology revealed it was cancer. Spent my spring & early summer focused on continued PT for my right shoulder, thyroid surgery in August, more PT thru Sept.-- shoulder no better-- so got back in the water this past Oct. to do whatever I can, kick/breastroke again. Neck muscles & continued right shoulder bursitis/tendonitis problems brought me into a chiropractors office in Oct. WHO HAS NOW ALMOST COMPLETELY HEALED my right shoulder, he continues to work on my neck but has me in the water swimming with two really good feeling shoulders. I am finally hopeful for full recover for both shoulders. I swam the first meet of the season this past Sunday and felt really good!!!!! Further tests last month determine I need completion thyroidectomy (surgery). Doc. wanted to do in Feb.-YES, during master swim season, but went along with postponing it until early May, after state meet. A couple of other arthritis-disease related stuff but who cares if I am able to again complete swim practices & compete in meets with the great team I'm part of. I can't tell you how psyched I am to be swimming again. 2007 goals, lower times a little, complete 200 miles participating in the Go The Distance Event -- 2008 goals, drop my times a LOT, love practicing hard & long, swim every meet and go to Austin for nationals. Hope to meet some of you people there!
Would you like some cheese? ( to go with your whine?)
Oh boy can I relate to this thread....waaa waaa
1) I'm currently going through PT for my right neck/shoulder/back. It still hurts despite not swimming much and doing PT!:frustrated:
2)Dr. says my neck/shoulder/back pain is exacerbated by stress. That doesn't seem like it is going away! a) My daughter has a softball sized cyst/mass on her left ovary. I took her to have a CT scan today. I'm waiting on the results as I type! The doctor said she probably will need surgery. b)My husband has skin cancer on his face and had it removed this morning. He is so swollen and his eye is almost swollen shut! c)My mom had another bad fall and is very weak due to chronic pain and heart disease. It's really hard to watch her health go down. d)My dad won't take care of himself either!
3)I have terrible heart palpitations off and on for about 3 years that are really irritating despite the doctor telling me they are "normal". My heart feels like it literally stops then beats real hard and fast. I've had an ultrasound and EKG and they are all ok.
4) Insomnia and fatigue - see #1 - 3 and you'll see why!
5)I miss swimming - it is what helps me deal with #1-4.
Phew.....I feel a little better now. WAAAA:shakeshead:
Whinner's Anonymous
Oh Beth...that's a lot to deal with.:hug: just keep focused on the fact that you'll get back in the water...a little something good to look forward to!
Ohhhhhhhhh,I don't know of it's a good idea to get us started.Remember the Masters Swimming slogan "if you wake up and it doesn't hurt,you died." I am feeling sorry for myself and my kicking only sets so here goes:
Sprained rotator cuff,
dislocated right index finger(new injury,also done working in the snow)
bulging disk L4-5
chronic "breaststroker's Knee"(yes that is a real diagnosis)
John-left hip stress fracture,ouch that seems to trump my ailments. I am so sorry:(
Geez......here we go again.....evil one has aged up so we're going head to head again.....and already he's making exuses!! JS.....I've changed my mind and will now go back and train for the 50....your "sacred cow" so to speak....instead of the 500....now you need to show up in Seattle! :lolup:
And by the way....I just tore my meniscus two weeks ago so don't complain to me!
Mel.....you are barred from this discussion....leave us with your pathetic healthfullness!
About 8 years ago my daughter was kicked 3 times by a horse. Once to the heart, once to the shoulder & the one that launched her 14 feet in the air that was a direct connect to the temple. My wife and I were less than a moment away when one of her shrieking friends ran to tell us that Danyel was unconcious on the road. Shortly she was helicoptered to Vancouver as she had subdural hematoma and irregular heart beat. For awhile there the issue was in doubt, then they were talking brain damage, behavior change etc. She now goes to university (A student) and is in perfect health.
After that year I realized that my medical issues matter not, it is your kids that matter most. All through this year, which has been difficult, I look at her smiling face and say to everyone "Hey, it's not so bad, could be a lot worse."
It helps.
I propose a thread honoring old age in which each person lists their current physical ailments and general excuses that prevent them from beating people like ... Lisa Dahl and Andrea Block and Vibeke Swanson ...
TOP 10:
1. Shoulder pain (rehabing frayed labrum/tendonosis)
2. Sinus/allergy issues, although licked the multiple sinus infections
3. Sore right elbow, no idea why
4. Dry eye, exacerbated by chlorine
5. Height problem, too short
6. Partial fin addiction caused by #1
7. Inability to do breaststroke even reasonably servicably
8. Coach who suffers from #7
9. Team pool difficult to get to in rush hour
10. Frequent time-consuming jaunts to the salon to eradicate
encroaching gray hairs and stay blond.
... and
11. Husband and 3 kids
:dedhorse: :drink:
I hope everyone gets better!
Good grief, Peter, what a story! Glad to hear a happy ending.
Anyhow, I hope we'll see you in Federal Way this May, fighting your way through that NASTY 200 BR. Maybe we'll be in the same heat. Hmmm. I guess I'd have to get an age-change operation for that.
-- mel
Wow, just wow. Hugs to everyone. :)
Y'all make my complaints look like a cake walk. I'm still doing PT for my stupid hip and it doesn't seem to be helping at all. :frustrated: Mini-me takes up a ton of time I could use to swim, but I don't mind too much 'cuz she cute and fun. She's trying to stand now, so she looks a lot like this: :wiggle:
To Beth: I have a suggestion for your point #3 -- I had heart palpitations that I found very disconcerting and sought treatment for. I was also told that there was nothing wrong, but did receive a suggestion from a nurse that they could be caused by an electrolyte imbalance. She suggested drinking sports beverages (such as Gatorade) whenever I exercised. I did, and although it took several months, eventually the palpitations disappeared completely. Now when I talk about it, I say, "when I was having my heart attack..."
I always bring 8 - 12 oz's of Gatorade to practice and take small sips thoughout. At the end of practice, I finish off what's left.
As for your other points and to everyone else -- I wish you the best!
Kim
I'm 65, going on 17. I USED to have problems in both shoulders and one knee due to nagging soccer injuries. Now, thanks to careful swimming, weight training, walking and cross-country skiing, I have NO injuries whatsoever and (much to John's chagrin) train over 600 hours per year. That is, I'm a master's athlete who doesn't have a real life (and wouldn't trade it for all the CEO salaries on the planet).
By the way, my wife just passed 700 hours of training in 2006 and she's a bit older than I am. Neither one of our 30 something kids can keep up with us.
Hope I didn't just jinx myself...
-- mel
