It all started almost a year and half ago, I had just made my best start of the season in Peoria and the following day I noticed my elbow was noticeably stiffer than usual, I didn't think to much of it but just went on getting ready for my next start, As my next start rolled around in Dayton, Ohio my elbow seemed to be fine so I just went on throwing as usual, in the 5th inning I threw a ball and immediately grabbed my elbow in pain, instead of taking myself out I threw another inning before the pitching coach decided I need medical attention, I did the standard MRI's, X-rays, etc and was told that there was nothing structurally wrong with my elbow, and it was just some tendinitis that rest would fix. I will stop right there, most of you know what happened after that, and while obviously I was forced out, I don't want to burn any bridges just in case. (I will say this, Karma came back around,)
(Fast Forward to LA) I ended up seeing the Lakers team doctor as soon as I got to LA and after getting several MRI's it was decided that I needed surgery, My UCL was shredded to pieces and apparently had been torn for a long time, my agents then filed a claim in my behalf against my former team, and after 2 months is was decided that they would be held responsible for everything I needed done. During these 2 months, I enrolled back in school, found an apt in New Orleans, set up my surgery with the best orthopedic surgery in the country and set up my rehab specialist. After what seemed like forever, my mom and I set off to Birmingham, AL to see Dr. Andrews. When we arrived the hospital and walked in, it was the most incredible sight to see. We were escorted into the "VIP" lounge, and ended up sitting with Mike Mckenzie who had just received his Saints Super Bowl ring and was having shoulder surgery, after talking to him for a while and looking at his ring we were called into the office. About 10 minutes later Dr. Andrews walked in from surgery and had a look at my elbow. Several things happened here, 1. Usually when you meet someone for the first time, you try not to hit them but after talking for a few minutes he punched me in the stomach and said said lets get you fixed, 2 he wore a lime green suit jacket 3 as we looked at the MRI and he decided what we needed to do, he slapped me in the head and said, looks like we need surgery". So after deciding I would be the first surgery of the day, we were told to be back at 4 30 for pre-op. We then went back to the hotel and got ready for the next day. After sleeping for a few hours we came back to the hospital and led into my room. Here is where the fun started, I had to of course change into the hospital gowns and after putting mine on I realized it was a small, I think you can get a visual of what that means, Next, before I had time to tell the nurse I needed a bigger size, a man walked in and informed me he was shaving my entire body so instead of questioning why I just let it happen (Im kidding, but he did say I will be shaving you then started laughing and said just your knee and elbow) and before I knew it I was in the operating room talking about BBQ, I remember it clearly Dr. Andrews said when you wake up make sure you go to Dream Land BBQ and grab some dinner. After a successful surgery I woke up, then had to prove I could hold down a little food and drink and then I could leave. Of course I still had the small gown on, so while my mom was finishing some stuff up, I had a female nurse helping me get dressed, this really of could not have gone any more awkwardly, I had to sit at the end of the bed and she proceeded to put on my pants on. This wouldnt of been a big deal but since I had on the small gown, you can imagine how that went.
Here is a picture of me just a few hours out of surgery, I had a cast on and could not bend my elbow from that angle.
(I know we have touched on it before but honestly look at that hair, Also my skin, I'm bronzed like a Greek Goddess)
This is from the same time as the previous picture, the new ligament I had put in my elbow was taken from my hamstring and to tell you the truth, this was a thousand times more painful than my elbow ever was.
During the surgery, I had several bone chips taken out of my elbow, not sure why but I was given these as a memento, (if you are squeamish, the below photos may or may not do it for you.
First Time I took off my cast.
After about 6 weeks.
My Knee after taking bandages off
A day after the surgery we left and went back to New Orleans to begin rehab, not really much to say about the beginning process, you learn how to basically re-use your arm and leg. It took me about 4 weeks to be able to do normal things like use a fork, its also really hard to sleep, you have to keep your arm in a mechanical arm which prevents your elbow from bending to far
here is the mechanical arm, you end up wearing it for about 4 months .
After about 3 months I was finally able to begin running and lifting again, there really is only so much you can do but it was better than just sitting there. After about 4 months I started tossing again at 45 feet and gradually worked my way farther back. Currently I am at 120 feet and in a few weeks will be able to get off the mound for the first time. I am not too sure how that will go, but based on the success I have had so far Im hoping it wont be a problem.
I realize this is not like passed posts but in the next month I actually have a ton going on, next week the Schenckers are coming in town so I will be sure to take pictures and will post about that. In 3 weeks I will be in LA, so of course all of the mouse jokes will come out and hopefully I will be able to update you as far as my throwing goes. I will also begin brewing a new beer here in a few weeks so I will keep you up to date on that, and if you guys have anything you want to see I will include that as well. Until next time
MO
Great post! Those pics are crazy. Hope you are doing well.
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