Mission Accomplished

In just over an hour today, Dr. Cook managed to clean up my ankle which is confirmed "sure had a lot going on". He felt like it was a success which was great to hear. My leg is in a boot now with a tube pumping cold water into a sleeve around my ankle. Looks like I'll see the doc early next week and then be able to head back. I have to stay non weight bering for 4 weeks, then in a walking boot for another 4. So long as I follow the doc's instructions, he's confident the recovery will be a good one.
I got so many emails over the past 24 hours and thank you all so much for caring and for your encouragement and most of all prayers.
I'll update my status in the days to come.

God Bless,
Chris

Finally, an answer!!!

So after over a year of frustration with my ankle, I finally found out today exactly what's going on in there. I had an appointment today in Dallas, TX with a very well respected foot and ankle specialist Dr. Charles Cook. He's worked with the majority of the professional sports teams in Dallas and was quick to point out multiple problems that would cause the pain that I've had throughout the past 13 months. The osteochondral defect which I had surgery to repair in March, was still very much there, along with significant bone spurs at the joint on the dome of the talus. These will be repaired along with very loose ligaments (that have from multiple ankle sprains over time). Dr. Cook has developed a technique with which to tighten these ligaments. He compared it to cooking bacon on the stove...when you do so, it shrinks. The same concept applies with the ligaments. When they are exposed to heat, they will tighten. All three problems will be addressed tomorrow in a surgery that's supposed to take just over an hour. I was shocked, yet relieved that I am able to get in so quickly. Also relieved to finally know what's been causing me all of this discomfort for the past year. It looks like I'll need to stay here in Dallas for 10-14 days for a post-operation appointment and until I'm able to get on an airplane back to Carolina. The Wildman family has been way more than generous than I could ever imagine in letting me invade their house and providing transportation and some serious food. I'm truly humbled by their generosity!

Thanks for all of your prayers and support. I'd love to hear from many of you if you have a minute to drop a line. Lord knows, I'll have nothing but time over the next week or so.

God Bless,

Chris

Off to TX

A few changes since my last plan to head up to ME for my ankle. After my last newsletter, I received an email from someone (who's name I'll keep anonymous for now) who has connections with some top notch foot/ankle guys in the Dallas area. He made a few calls for me and got me an appointment with a Dr. Charles Cook. He's a top ankle specialist in Dallas who actually performed Dirk Nowitzki's (Dallas Mavericks basketball star) ankle suregery so I know I'm going to the best. I will be leaving this weekend for TX and seeing the Doc on Tuesday. This is an open-ended trip as I will stay to have surgery (if needed). The family who made the contact for me has been gracious enough to let me stay with them during my time in TX. Once I find out any more information after I see the Dr. on Tuesday, I'll be sure to update.


..........you may have noted the banner on the main page of my website. Darren LeBlanc was an '02 Messiah Graduate and just last night lost his wife and high school sweetheart to brain cancer. Please pray for Darren and their families and they mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Misty. http://www.leblanclife.com

update

Just a brief update to let you all know what’s been going on.
I’ve been trying for the past few weeks to figure out my ankle situation. I obviously was able to finish the season completing the USA vs. Germany decathlon, but my ankle is still not in good shape even after taking 4 weeks off. I don’t want to put my body through another season unless my ankle is significantly improved. I also don’t want to permanently damage so I’m able to move when I’m 40 ☺
I’ve been trying to get in to see a couple of different doctors, but was told I couldn’t be seen until early next year. That’s right, I said next year!!! Thankfully, the Lord works in crazy ways sometimes and I was fortunate enough to meet an orthopedic in Portland, ME who has been very very helpful throughout this entire situation. I will find out tomorrow when I can be seen up there and will then be flying up to ME. They are going to do everything in one trip (MRI, diagnosis and any procedure that may need to be done) so I could be in ME for a little while.
I’ll update as soon as I find out when I’ll be heading north.

Thanks for all of your continued prayers and support!

Update

Just wanted to give a brief update on the visa situation. Not much has changed with regards to obtaining my visa. There has been, however, a lot of media attention given to Joey Cheek and the other 3 of us who had our visa revoked. It is our hope that this media has drawn attention and created even more awareness to the genocide continuing to take place in Darfur, Sudan.
I was supposed to leave tomorrow morning for Beijing with Doc Draeger. I'm in the process of appealing to Northwest Airlines in hopes of getting a refund for my airline ticket.
For more information, please visit www.teamdarfur.org

Now I'll be focusing on fixing my ankle.

Thanks for your continuous support!

God Bless,
Chris