8 days today. It feels like it’s been a month since my surgery. This has been the longest week of my life. I am a high-energy type of guy. I am used to always doing something, staying busy and most of all, playing baseball. I guess I have to adjust to a whole lot of nothing whether I like it or not. My life is not near as exciting as it was 2 weeks ago. It’s basically been a whole lot of laying around.
I look like a mummy…. And I could smell like one too. Can’t get the arm and leg wet yet. Have you ever tried to shower without getting your right arm and left leg wet??? I won’t go into to many details, but the kitchen sink is good for more than just washing dishes!
The pain is surprisingly not too bad. Not in my arm anyways. Maybe it’s because I can’t really move it. What does hurt is my knee and leg! It’s a weird pain in my left leg, kinda numb down the shin and around my ankle. Other guys say it’s normal and so does the doctor. Something about the nerves taking time to recovery from the surgery too.
One of the hardest things is that for the first time in a long time I can’t be with my team and hang out with my teammates. I know that I will be able to soon enough, but I guess it is true: you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone. I would even go through hazing again and wear a “My Little Pony” backpack to be sitting back in the bullpen, on the bench in the dugout or hanging out in the locker room. Soon enough.
Soon, I get to take of this soft cast and start doing full arm exercises. The Physical Trainer, Lloyd, and I will be spending a lot of time together. I’m sure I will be talking about more of that soon. I am ready to start this rehab and get back to playing. These weeks and months without playing ball are weeks and months too long. I was ready last week to be back.
The one good thing about having surgery, is all of the great food. Homemade food from friends and I have to give it up to Jordan over at the Palm restaurant for hooking me up. PF Changs was awesome too! Thanks to all of you guys!
I might post some pictures of this scar pretty soon…
Great first post, Kris! Best of luck for a full and speedy recovery. I look forward to following your progress on this blog.
ReplyDeleteYou need to get on of these for the shower: http://www.medcareproducts.com/castcovers/
ReplyDeleteWas clutch when I had forearm surgery a few years ago.
Kris, the AJC's Carroll Rogers just posted a link here, so get ready for a flood of comments. (Hopefully you won't have to turn off comments once the lunkheads inevitably arrive.)
ReplyDeleteHaving watched Tim Hudson go through this over the last year (I went early to the park to see one of his first bullpens, then trekked out to Gwinnett for his first rehab start) I look forward to getting an inside perspective on what it's like to come back from TJ. Unfortunately it seems to be a rite of passage for most guys these days.
Just got linked to your blog by my brother (I think he's one of the 6 followers) and look forward to hearing how rehab progresses. As a med student, I've met people that have suffered pretty devastating injuries and know how grueling rehab can be. Keep your eyes on the prize - it will be worth it.
ReplyDeletewelcome to the blog world, looking forward to following along as you chronicle your recovery!
ReplyDeleteGood luck Kris. You were a huge reason the team is in first place right now. Hoping for a full and speedy recovery and many years of seeing you in a Braves uni.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your recovery, Kris! Love watching you pitch, hope all goes well. We're rooting for you!
ReplyDeleteHope all goes great and speedy recovery can't wait to see you get back to pitching and helping the bravest next year for the push to the post season thanks for the great pitching this year
ReplyDeleteAs my mama would say, hope you heal up and hair over quick like a bunny rabbit. We're all looking forward to seeing you back in a Braves uniform ASAP!
ReplyDeleteMed- you're a bulldog on the mound and i'm sure you will be in your rehab as well.
ReplyDeleteFight through it man- no matter how tough it seems and how uphill you feel the battle is, you will get there.
You're fortunate to have teammates and people around the organization who have come back from the surgery in an all-star caliber way. I'll look forward to seeing hitters flailing again at your changeup in no time.
Just remember- it could always be worse than the 90% recovery rate that TJ surgery has had recently.
Great entry and a great writing style. Look forward to reading this for the next year. My wife, son and I come down from Tennessee for a few games each year and we hate that we didn't get a chance to see you pitch this year. Looking forward to your return next year.
ReplyDeleteKris-
ReplyDeleteI've been a huge advocate of yours for two years now and it saddened me to hear that you had to undergo the knife. I'm praying you get well soon.
If you need some reading material, try this post I wrote about why you are awesome:
http://gameofinches.blogspot.com/2010/01/free-kris-medlen.html
Best Wishes,
David MVP Eckstein
cant wait til u get back... Miss you on that mound....Will pray for a painfree and speedy recovery!!
ReplyDeleteBest of luck. get well soon. It was a joy to watch you pitch this season.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to reading your blog Kris! Hope you get to join the team at some point also, I'm sure they could use your presence!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck buddy, all the best in recovery. Cant wait to see you back throwin' strikes.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck during the recovery, Kris. Your presence on the mound and in the clubhouse is definitely missed. If Huddy's TJ surgery taught us anything, it is that the surgery will make you an even better pitcher. You better have space on your mantle for a Cy Young trophy.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your recovery. As a fan, I thank you for giving so much to the cause.
ReplyDeleteAny thoughts on Strasburg? Sucks you guys requiring robot arms so early in your careers.
Pulling for you.
This is so full of awesome. Glad you're going to take us down the road, too. Hopefully it'll provide some insight on what the rehab process is like.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in your recovery. Can't wait to see you back out there.
Great first post, Kris, I'll keep you in my thoughts until you're back in the dugout where you belong. I know that we probably wouldn't be in first place without all you've contributed this season.
ReplyDeletePS- I broke my collarbone once and let's just say, I know how it feels to always be self conscious of the way you smell during this. If it's any consolation, just know that I'm sure your friends won't be able to notice a difference;)Lol. Kidding. Have a speedy recovery dude.
As a few people have already mentioned, you're contributions played a large part in the reasons that this team is in first place. You proved to everyone that you deserve to be here.
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you're blogging about your recovery experiences and I look forward to reading about them. Good luck in your recovery, Kris! Looking forward to having you back on the field and back on the mound.
Hey Kris, good luck on your recovery. Maybe you and Stephen Strasburg can match-up during your re-hab. I think you could take him. :-)
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a successful rehab. When you get anxious or down because you aren't on the field, just remember that you were huge for the team this year and we know that you're going to be integral to the Braves' success for the rest of this decade. Hang tough Kris!
ReplyDeletegood luck, Kris.... get back soon.
ReplyDeleteKris, good luck with your recovery and rehab. All Braves fans are pulling for you! Not only will the team miss you on the mound but we will miss seeing your enthusiastic presence in the dugout! Here's hoping you come back stronger and better than ever.
ReplyDeleteHi Kris, I wish you good luck on your recovery. Hang in there and never give up. I'll see you next year, better and stronger for the Braves.
ReplyDeleteKris your future is beyond bright...take this time to enjoy your friends, family, and other things you weren't doing. In terms of all the down time, i can relate. I played D1 golf in college and am a powerlifter now, when injury got in the way of golf or a meet, id think my world was over..its not...you will be back and better than ever...good luck, keep making us proud.
ReplyDelete-Jordan from New York
It always sucks to see a good young pitcher get Tommy John, but at least you should come back fine and. Really looking forward to a rotation with you, Hudson, Hanson, Jurrjens, and Minor soon
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your recovery, Kris!! :) I'm looking forward to reading about your recovery and seeing you get back out there before too long stronger and better than ever (just look at Huddy!). I'm sure your enthusiasm and energy is missed just as much as your talent in the clubhouse (I know I miss seeing you look all excited during games!).
ReplyDeleteAlso, because of the aforementioned My Little Pony backpack, I will always and forever call you My Little Pony. Just like... so you know.
Hey Kris,
ReplyDeleteI sincerely wish you a speedy recovery, and look forward in seeing you in our lineup next season as our #1 starter. In the meantime, is your left arm available - Bobby might call on you....(smile) I am so looking forward to seeing you, Jurrjens, Hanson, Minor and Teheran as our starters soon!
Kris,
ReplyDeleteI wish you a speedy recovery and look forward to following this for the next bit. Continue to be the bulldog you are on the mound and you'll beat the average recovery time!
Good luck Kris! See you next year in the post season!
ReplyDeleteThanks for writing this blog. Look forward to following along. Will be praying for you and hope to see you back late next season!
ReplyDeleteIt was so good to finally see you back in the dugout. Definitely praying for a safe, speedy, and successful recovery. We miss you and know you'll come back better than ever!!. And never forget..
ReplyDelete"Setbacks are opportunities for comebacks."
"Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off your goal.”
Kris, Get this rehab done and get back before Strasbourg (man, that sucks for the Nats. That franchise is cursed worse than the Cubs).
ReplyDeleteLook forward to your thoughts on recovery and get back soon. Loved having a winner like you in the rotation.
you prob arent reading these... but, good luck with rehab. we really miss having you in the rotation! Cannot wait until you are back out there. Hope you get to hang out with the team through the end of year, you are part of the reason we are in 1st!
ReplyDeleteHope you get better!
ReplyDeleteAll I've got to say is: Oops there goes another rubber tree plant.
ReplyDeleteJust in case you didn't get the reference, I sometimes for get just how ancient I am, here's a video of the song about the ant and the rubber tree: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcNyxxZvf8I
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool. A star in the making is communicating to his fans about the behind the scenes details of rehabing from surgery.
ReplyDeleteI love it when people of your status embrace the internet like this. Twitter doesn't count, as good of a pitcher as you are, I don't care to read what you eat for lunch everyday.
Thanks for blogging about your rehab. I love that you're doing this.
Kris, you caught my eye the moment I saw you your 2nd appearance last season, and I have closely followed your progress through every appearance since. You're an awesome pitcher and a really cool guy. Was so sad when you got hurt, but you are certainly making the best of the situation! Having been through a long rehab process myself(ACL), I know that while the surgery and the rehab suck, they do eventually end....and you will be back, better than ever. You have an awesome career ahead of you, never lose sight of the amazing possibilities of your future. Keep us all updated, I for one will be excited to hear about your progress as you get back to being the awesome pitcher we all know you can be.
ReplyDeleteYou are just adorable....
ReplyDeleteIm glad you are doing this blog! Most of all for yourself as a release for all the things you are going through right now, thats why I started mine awhile back, although not for the same reason but for the same general reason just to get it out! I dont know what your thoughts are about faith and religion but Im going to share this with you, its help me a few times:Happy moments, praise God. "Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God"
ReplyDeleteKeep pressing on through Kris, you have a lot of people in your corner!
kris man stay strong man you will bounce off strong...you are my boy man i look up to u man......
ReplyDeletemuch love man
garrett from nc
i love the blog.. please keep posting. i want to know how the elbow is doing and things so please keep posting. thanks Kris
ReplyDeleteAhw, the Braves weren't the same once you got injured. Hopefully I will see you playing again soon:) You are by far one of our better pitchers. Cy Young award here you come:)<3
ReplyDeleteYou are my favorite pitcher, as well as my favorite player, for the Braves. You are ridiculously talented and quite goodlooking:) Hope you fell better soon!
Hey Kris-- Hope the recovery process is going well!
ReplyDeleteI was just wondering if you can give an update on your arm and what part of the process your in?
I am a freshman college pitcher out of Trinity College in Connecticut and I actually had TJ surgery in October (9 weeks post-op). I'm trying to learn as much as possible about the procedure so I can get a feel for what lies ahead.
All the Best!