Now, it’s been eight weeks since I had brain surgery, where a stent was put in the back of my head to correct an aneurysm that was unusually shaped, in a bad spot, and likely to rupture.
As you all know, my sister passed away from a ruptured aneurysm at age 59, so the whole experience has been both mentally and physically trying.
After eight weeks, I still have headaches that linger, sometimes 24 hours a day. I wake up with a headache, go to sleep, and have a headache throughout the day. In addition to these moderate pangs of pain, it feels as if I have a pressure cooker placed over my head. In addition to that, I’m always exhausted. I have this lingering fatigue that is sometimes very hard to fight.
But I’m optimistic.
Back to Training After Brain Surgery
One of my biggest concerns is that I’m on these strong blood thinners and need to be on them for a year.
Why am I concerned?
Well, for starters, once I bleed from an injury, it’s tough to stop the bleeding. And I bruise more quickly than I did before. If I bang into something, even so slightly, I bruise. So, I must bring a first aid kit every time I train, which is my new reality.
Although I don’t like this, I have to embrace it.
Swimming
As soon as I was cleared to work out, I returned to the pool. Although I was dreadfully slow those first few weeks, I was grateful to be back.
Now, I’m noticing that my pace is picking up and I’m feeling a lot more comfortable in the water, which is great because the water is my happy place.
Cycling
Cycling was also a challenge. The first time I went on my trainer, I got this cramp in my quad that was so intense I had to jump off. But after that, I started to use a “getting back” program on Zwift and was able to complete the workouts.
I recently started more intense cycling workouts in preparation for EventPower LI’s Mighty Man Montauk Half Ironman in September.
Running
As for the run, well, that’s been the slowest to get back to, but I’ll get there. The first few runs after I was cleared were deadly! So, I started to walk as much as possible. Then, I got on the treadmill and ran there and it actually felt pretty good.
Then, one day, I started to run/walk with my training partner and it wasn’t bad.
So, I started back up with my running group and have been running a couple of days during the week. I’m looking forward to doing two races in May – Alpha Win Run Hudson Valley Marathon at the Walkway Over the Hudson. I’ll be doing the 10K there and by the way, I have discount codes for that race if you want to join me. Use code: ALPHALIFESTYLE for 15% off the price of entry on any of the Alpha Win races!
I also plan on doing the Chicago Spring 10K, which I’m also psyched about. So, I don’t have a choice but to get back!
The Bee Foundation
Tricia Scobey, who is the race director of The Bee Foundation, a non-profit group dedicated to raising awareness and funding for brain aneurysm research, reached out to me. She told me that there were fun runs happening around the country in September for brain aneurysm awareness month.
So, I’m planning on doing something locally on Long Island in September. I’m naming the run after my beautiful sister – the Lori Weiss Memorial Fun Run/Walk and Walk. I’ll keep you posted.
I’m not going to let this setback stop me.
And if you are battling something, don’t let it stop you from doing something that you love.
