don's report archive

by Donald B. Ardell, Ph. D.

Wellness in the Headlines
(Don's Report to the World)

I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce and agriculture in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain. John Adams (Portrait of John Adams by Eliphalet Frazer Andrews, 1881)

The commentary about what to study by John Adams shows an admirable degree of perspective, an appreciation for the big picture and the value in a long view of things. A broader look at any situation is good for stress management and critical thinking, especially in times of crisis. A change in life, such as a setback, usually contains seeds for different, possibly rewarding new directions.

All of which leads me to a personal story, a follow up to my mention of an MRI I had a few weeks ago to check out persistent knee that interfered with my running. ("To Be Or Not To Be - A Subject Of Medical Tests," E-AWR 366). Well, the MRI results revealed an OCD - an osteochrondral defect. Not good. It means no more running, though biking and swimming are OK. The impact of running would, according to my osteopathic physician, cause the deteriorated femoral condyle to collapse, sooner or later, with unpleasant consequences.

So, the question I faced was, "Is life worth living without running or doing any more road races, duathlons and triathlons? Certainly not!

That, at least, is how a not-so-sensible-person might feel, initially. Before I had a chance to think like a not-so-sensible-person, I sought a little therapy, "Beatles" style. I sought a little help from my friends. Besides family members, I informed a handful of my closest friends and/or running and triathlon buddies. A few of the latter included my biggest rivals. They all provided perspective.

Here is a sampling of excerpts from the advice offered. (I'm omitting most of the sympathetic words to the effect of that's devastating news and "so sorry" and my condolences and get second and third opinions and you are/were such a good runner and so on. All such considerate and empathetic phrases were appreciated, but the remarks I’m including are perspectives that got me back on track.)

• From Rick: Of course there's really nothing that anybody can say to make such a situation right. In the end, we all have to face these burdens for ourselves. But it's easy to identify with, as anybody could be just a moment away from a similar dilemma.
  
  
• From Florence: While I still miss running (due to a similar problem), I feel healthier now that I swim instead (not as beat up). I still ride a bike and weight train, as well. My suggestion, besides second opinions, is to do what you must to keep your heart rate up. Please let me know what you are doing and how you are doing it.
  
  
• From Joe: If the doomsday diagnosis is corroborated by another orthopedist, my first thought would be to bike and swim extensively, and run the bare minimum to be able to compete in mostly sprint triathlons, and perhaps one or two Olympic distance events a year. Running all out 5km events would apparently be risking everything you do. Albeit easy for me to say, don't ever, ever give up.
  
  
• From Bob: The most sensible advice I've heard for dealing with irreversible adverse conditions is Steven Hawking's comment, "Everyone has to play the cards they're dealt." Obvious, yes, but coming from someone as handicapped as Hawking is, it has a certain nobility. At least that's how I took it. It sounds like you have no choice in this matter, so you will certainly make the best of it. No question about that. Onward and upward.
  
• Another bit of perspective comes from Daniel Gilbert, the happiness researcher at Harvard who says humans--including super-human athletes like yourself--are equipped with something like a happiness set point, or thermostat, that keeps our emotional state relatively stable over a fairly wide range of circumstances. I believe that is true, especially for people who have full lives and lots of interests. Bottom line is you'll miss running, but you'll remain just as happy as you were last week, or last year. And there will no doubt be one or more insightful wellness essays about coping with this kind of loss.
  
  
• From Bud: Is this for real? Yo, that knee thing is terrible. The problem is you are “addicted to running”. Let us see the kind of man you are now that your athletic career appears to be ending. You lasted a lot longer than me. There are other things in life you can enjoy as much, but you know that. Sometimes it just takes a little time to find what they are.
  
  I can’t tell you how many X-rays, MRIs and other tests and evaluations I’ve had on my own athletic career-ending Achilles tear as well as the same tests and such for race horses in the short time that we have owned a few of these four-legged athletes. I will say this: These problems are due to the wear and tear that come from overuse, combined with the pounding of racing. Human and equine. Pure and simple. Consider this: You have had more years than most – and more successful years, as well. I was/am always envious.
  
• From Jon (my son): On the other hand, what you have done is so legendary and stunning I'd say there is little left to gain by competing, anyway. I believe that future Ardells and casual observers alike will marvel at your ability, determination and success for eons to come, and any more accomplishments might even have the unintended affect of setting the bar too high! Keep us informed. Take it easy. Definitely don't jump!

Well, as you can imagine, I was almost over myself at this point. I can walk just fine, I can bike and swim and otherwise stay super fit, which is a foundation of my wellness mindset, along with a commitment to critical thinking, the quest for added meaning and purpose and so on. Most important, I’m otherwise healthy – there are millions of other fun things to do besides run.

Still, I needed a bit more propping up before I could convince myself, let alone my wife and others, that I was completely, 100 percent able to adapt cheerful and with panache to this genuine setback to a long- cherished aspect of my valued lifestyle. Woody Allen once said, More than any time in history, mankind faces a crossroads. One path leads to despair and utter hopelessness, the other to ruin and annihilation. Let us pray that we have the wisdom to choose wisely. I was at a crossroad and the alternatives (stop running or face a total knee collapse) made me feel, at times, as if my choices were despair or ruin.

Then I got this from Lenore.

I'm sure you will emerge from this with a new and exciting way to excel physically because that's who you are. Physical setbacks are tough to handle and, for me, at least, a bit of perspective has always been the key. The person who helped provide it for me for many years was my cousin, Karleen, who died a while back of multiple sclerosis at the age of 58. She had the disease for over twenty years and gradually had to relinquish parts of her body as the disease progressed. The last time I saw her, she was in a hospital for the terminally ill. She was completely paralyzed and even had trouble breathing. Nevertheless, she was the life of the party. She "wrote" comedy skits and plays in her mind and directed the hospital staff to produce them in her room with all mobile hospital residents invited. She wrote her own music and lyrics for these skits and kept the hospital completely entertained. All of this from memory since she couldn't write a thing down! Anyway, just the thought of it still brings tears to my eyes -- she was a complete inspiration for me for a long time. When all she had left was her brilliant mind, she used it to its fullest. Whenever I suffer a physical setback (as with my two eye surgeries last year, I am quickly brought back to reality when I visualize Karleen and how much she did with what she had. She and I grew up next door to each other and many times I've thought, "It could have been me who got the nasty disease." Anyway, when I'm feeling down about aging or illness, I'm quickly brought back to reality just by thoughts of my cousin.

I don't mean to carry on in a melodramatic way but perspective is a wonderful tool. (As is denial.) I'm sure you'll find new ways to delight yourself and others that don't include a perfect knee. I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

That was my cure. Now any time I feel tempted to fret about my knee, I think about the sound advice from my friends and, if that does not do the trick in two seconds, then I remember Karleen -- and I’m sensible again.

Save yourself all this trouble. Next time you face a setback, think of the time I wasted (not that much, actually) regaining a healthy perspective on a bum knee – with a little help from my friends. And Karleen.

(Note: This essay will be filed in the archives in the MEANING DOMAIN under the skill area of applied wellness. Additional articles related to this theme may be found there.)

(Ed. Note: Views expressed in this and other columns are those of the author and not necessarily those of the SeekWellness Editorial Board.)

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