What I did to help win the Regionals next year

[Tim Wescott]

Doc: "Does this hurt?"

Me: "yes"

"How about this?"

"Yes"

"this?"

"YES"

"what about when I do this"

"owowowowow"

At any rate, I have a new diagnosis (bicep tendinitis, on top of the previously-diagnosed bursitis), new exercises to do (which make me HURT, which confirms the diagnosis as far as I'm concerned), new medicine (a COX II inhibitor, but I don't see how a little pill is going to help me beat Chris), and a game plan.

Howard, I did mention that I had been directed to beg for cortisone shots.  She gave me a "when you're done with the BS we can get back to business" look (she's known me for a while) and mentioned that cortisone can make the root problem worse even as it makes me feel better -- that's in the game plan under "if all else fails".

[Mark Scarborough]

well do your therapy, get better, I need people I can beat up on,,

* assuming I dont keep leaving bits of vertical stabilizer around the circle

[Tim Wescott]

well do your therapy, get better, I need people I can beat up on,,

* assuming I dont keep leaving bits of vertical stabilizer around the circle

By all means, Mark, if we're competing with each other in UnderExpert feel free to put your bottoms where you did at Salem.  My wife mentioned that icing the joint may help, too -- I'm going to try that.  I would really, really like to get back in the air.

[Howard Rush]

Alan's and my cortisone, along with our enthusiasm for it, has warn off.  You might try flying left handed. I have seen several people do that quite effectively. 

[Tim Wescott]

Alan's and my cortisone, along with our enthusiasm for it, has warn off.  You might try flying left handed. I have seen several people do that quite effectively. 

Left-handed flying comes after cortisone in the game plan.  Unfortunately, what little left-handed flying I did this year left my left shoulder feeling an awful lot like my right shoulder last year.  Somehow, the prospect of spending years learning how to fly only to hurt myself again the same way does not appeal.

I'm going to see if I can biff up my soft and tender muscles to the point where they won't hurt when I fly toy planes.

[John Leidle]

  Tim ,
  Did you say your left arm , shoulder started hurting when you tried flying  left handed?
                                 John

[Fredvon4]

Tim

I am in year two of recovery from "should be dead" motorcycle accident

During the Army career THEY sent me to the Master Physical Fitness course

So when my Physical Therapist suggested particular exercises I decided not to argue and did what she said---- BUT I also knew the range of motion and strength I need to get back in my neck, shoulders, arms and stability walking and pivoting...so I added what I think were the muscle groups to strengthen for some of my activities....for fun- CL flying, for yard work- swinging a weed eater

I follow a lot of what you write and know you can figure all this out.... your plan to "biff" up your shoulder and tender muscles is sound...I highly recommend light weight or resistance and a lot of "throughout the day" repetitions simulating the expected movements and loads of CL flights...

Just a observation about me,   can do most things now but the pain is ever prevalent....but much subdued and managle now without narcotics

now if I could just get my inner ear(s) to behave, I may be able to sustain more than 3 min in the circle

[Tim Wescott]

  Tim ,
  Did you say your left arm , shoulder started hurting when you tried flying  left handed?
                                 John

Yes.  Whatever is happening on the right side wants to happen on the left.  I'm pretty sure it's a combination of a lifetime of bad posture (I've got that typical desk-worker hunch, which squeezes the tendons involved) and the fact that about ten years ago my bad knees forced me to give up bicycle riding, which took away any regular exercise that my upper body got.

So even if I could blithely switch hands (which I can't -- I crashed a couple of planes proving that one to myself) it wouldn't do me any good in the long run.

[Russell Shaffer]

Tim, have you tried switching from the "extended arm" method to the "hand at your side" style?  Bruce Hunt flies that way, a very relaxed and causal look.  Do the handle movements with your wrist instead of waving your arm to track the plane.  I think with practice you could fly satisfactory maneuvers with the exception of the overhead eight and that could be pretty good, just not completely overhead.   

[Tim Wescott]

Tim, have you tried switching from the "extended arm" method to the "hand at your side" style?  Bruce Hunt flies that way, a very relaxed and causal look.  Do the handle movements with your wrist instead of waving your arm to track the plane.  I think with practice you could fly satisfactory maneuvers with the exception of the overhead eight and that could be pretty good, just not completely overhead.   

That's another plan B, I suppose -- I'd like to see if I can get into shape to do it the "right" way first.

[eric david conley]

     To keep your mind clear and close to the game, I suggest you fly some carrier while your in the recovery mode.

[Russell Shaffer]

Great idea, Eric.  Maybe we can find out if he really is good or was just lucky in Portland.

[Tim Wescott]

Great idea, Eric.  Maybe we can find out if he really is good or was just lucky in Portland.

It was luck.  Somehow the airplane was adjusted so that it flew just short of hanging, and I could easily control speed with the throttle.  I did a bunch of changes that Eric recommended (smart man!), and now it'll go into a hang -- and I do not have the hang of hang.  I may just see if I can un-hang it, and get my mojo back.

[Motorman]

You shouldn't start physical therapy until the inflammation subsides. RICE- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Wrap it before activity and ice it after activity.

MM

[Tim Wescott]

You shouldn't start physical therapy until the inflammation subsides. RICE- Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Wrap it before activity and ice it after activity.

MM

Yes, good point.  It's actually gone down considerably since yesterday -- I don't know if it's the new meds or the ice.  My doctor stressed that I wasn't to do the exercises to the point of pain; I think that she was aiming in the same direction you are -- I'm a listening!  I want my pattern back!

[Steve Helmick]

Regarding the cortisone shots...they mix it with Novocaine, so it feels wonderful until the Novocaine wears off. One of the risks is that you will overdo with whatever joint it is, just because it feels so damned much better. Resist that urge, let the cortisone work.

And about the shoulder...what Russell said. Pull the handle into your chest or at least keep your elbow bent. Use your biceps instead of pulling on the tendons. Shoulder will appreciate it a bunch.

I'm pretty sure I can fly ok left handed. Can I borrow one of your most unresponsive planes to try that theory?  Steve