Third Year of Recovery

Now in November 2024, I am 2 years from the crash.

PT has helped but still experiencing significant post traumatic arthritic pain. Neurologist PA pretty much told me that was “permanent”. So quite depressing. 

I can navigate stairs with a cane. (Actually using both legs in an almost normal stepping going up and very careful slow descent.) I can walk without a cane, but use it to insure against a fall. So I am mobile but in constant pain. 

I am continuing my weekly Hospital rounds as a Chaplain-using my rollator as it seems to reduce pain while walking and gives me a private seat when needed.

Back to regular iRacing in my Simulator. Requires a lot of leg movement and force. No pain while racing but quite a bit afterwards.

Blood tests reveal no adverse affects from long term use of Ibuprofen but for safety I am limiting my NSAIDs to Aspirin-325 twice daily.

Taking testosterone replacement therapy with gel on shoulders daily-25mg per day. After a month, level rose from 220 to 350. Noticing some improvement in muscle development and no adverse side effects so far.

All in all I have reason to be thankful, but the thought of constant pain for the rest of my life is actually quite depressing. I can relate to the GI’s with battle injuries. Until you have experienced constant chronic pain, you cannot relate.

My hope now lies on two possibilities. That the screw in my left femur near the knee that protrudes into my IT band can be safely removed. That the testosterone replacement will lead to improved muscle development (with exercise) and bone remodeling. The only hope for pain reduction is stronger muscle and bone.