Snail

I once had to solve a math problem where a snail would climb 5 feet up a 10 foot pole during the day but slide back down the pole by 3 feet during the night. 

Yesterday afternoon, my arm and hand felt good, looked good, and I was certain slow but steady recovery was being made.  Five feet upward!

And this morning, three feet backward, just like the snail.

Maybe it's because I ate too much sugar.  Sugar is my kryptonite, I can hardly resist it and when I do succumb, I eat enough to make Oompa Loompas turn away in disgust.

Perhaps I slid backward because I didn't sleep well.  It took me a long time to get to sleep and then I was awakened by my girlfriend and it took even longer to get back to sleep after that.  At one point during the night, I woke up with my fingers tingling and my mind racing that I'd somehow hurt myself again.

If I was training for cyclocross season or for a MTB event, I'd be perfectly OK with the ebb and flow of effort and recovery.  Being tired or sore from training or from a crash are things I'm familiar with.  Being tired, sore, stiff, swollen, and numb 3 weeks after surgery are things I am definitely NOT familiar with.

Sure, the doctors said I should expect the swelling to persist for a few months.  Yes, they also said that the nerve recovery will take even longer.  I know these things.  I'm doing what I've been told to do, following the doctors orders.  Isn't there something else I could do to reach the top of the pole a little faster?  Or am I stuck at snail pace, moving forward and sliding backward, with very little control over the progress?

Ahh...yes...words of wisdom from a snail wearing a bike helmet.  Somehow, it all makes sense now.  :D