Big Bad Hurricane Bill

Well Hurricane Bill came and went and gave the Jersey shore the expected juice we love. Friday night was pretty good. A storm front rolled through, the wind turned off shore and cleaned up the chest high surf. Saturday morning was crappy, on shore wind, rain and a building swell. I started out Sunday morning 6 AM, I picked up my buddy "Doggie" in Ocean City and headed south to Strathmare. When we got there the swell was running about 6 to 8 feet with no wind and glassy conditions. We hit it for about 2 hours until the winds picked up and blew it out. The seas continued building to about 10 to 12ft (that's faces) at around 14 sec. I had a tough time getting out, but when a finally did make it on my third try the prize was well worth it! I had me a couple bombs, one right and one big, big left. You know there's nothing like gliding down the face of a big old peak with my 10' Yater Spoon http://www.yater.com/history.html My knee felt pretty good while I was out surfing but when I got out of the water was another story. There was a bit of a current running. I wound up about 6 blocks from my beach. Walking back was a bitch! When I finally got back to my spot the stinkin thing felt like it was on fire...no kidding. That night my wife headed home to hang out with our 13 year old Yellow Lab Otis and I headed up to Captain Ron's house in Long Beach Island, he's the un-offical mayor of LBI and at 55 he tears the place up. The wind was on it pretty bad so we decided to drink whisky, toast good old King Neptune and wait until Monday morning. I was glad we did. 4 to 6 LBI 21st Street perfection! (see pictures above)

A bunch of the guys in my crew showed up as well as some new friends (Patrick, Kyle, Z-man, Cake Boy, Little Mark, Wooter, Wardo, and the Captain) Everyone killed it. (even me) We surfed for about 4 hours and would have stayed out long but the wind switched and tide got to high. I was one of those days I will always remember. After that session I didn't care what the F&^$ing knee felt like. I even drove over my cousin Sue's and gave her 12 year old son Alex his first surf lesson. Considering the semi-heavy conditions he did pretty damn good for his first time out. Caught his first wave on an 8ft soft top board. Man, he was super stoked! I love sharing the sport that gives me so much pleasure. Teaching my little cousin is somthing he will remember for life like all of us who remember our first wave. On the way home I had to stop at Taco Bell like I always do for a little post session feast. When I got home my wife said I was acting like a little kid. I say wouldn't you after a day like that! Today reality hits, going for the pre-admission testing on Thursday. The good news is there maybe a little swell running Friday I'm going the see if I can drag Big Wave Dave's (aka the Sloth) old ass out there. I don't think he's been out since 67' Time's getting tight I got to get as many waves as I can before Senior Cut Day. Can't wait UGH!

Peace

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My Doc, My Cut Man

I just thought I'd post a little note about my Doc. Even though he's not a surfer, he's the man when it comes to MIS-TKR. Make sure you check out his web page. There is a pretty cool video that explains the surgery.

Jess H. Lonner, M.D.
Director of Knee Replacement Surgery Booth Bartolozzi Balderston Orthopaedics, Pennsylvania HospitalMedical Director, Philadelphia Center for Minimally Invasive Knee Surgery
An international leader in the treatment of arthritis of the knee, Dr. Lonner is uniquely qualified in his experience with minimally invasive techniques for total and partial (unicompartmental, patellofemoral, and bicompartmental) knee replacements. He is one of the first surgeons around the world to use robotic-assistance during knee replacement surgery and continues at the forefront of development in these areas. Dr. Lonner is routinely sought out by physicians and patients from around the United States and throughout the world for his cutting-edge and innovative treatments for knee arthritis.Clinical excellence is a mainstay of Dr. Lonner's work. In his career, he has been recognized both by his patients and peers for his commitment to providing outstanding surgical treatments to his patients and for his ability to teach the latest and most cutting edge surgical techniques. Dr. Lonner lectures extensively and has authored several textbooks and over one hundred chapters and scientific publications. In 2003, Dr. Lonner became the youngest member of The Knee Society, considered by many to be an organization of the top 100 knee replacement surgeons. He has been on the design teams for several innovative orthopaedic implants and further contributes to the field through his work on the editorial boards of professional journals such as the American Journal of Orthopedics, Seminars in Arthroplasty, Journal of Arthroplasty and Techniques in Knee Surgery.

Big Swell heading my this weekend called Hurricane Bill it's a Cat 4 right now, looking to be a Cat 5 by tomorrow. The wave report is calling for the swell to start filling in Friday and by Sunday should be double overhead at 14 to 15 seconds. OW! Looks like my whole crew will be getting in the water (even Big Wave Dave) I love surfing with these guys, we have been doing it for years. I'm really stoked cause this maybe my last big swell for about 8 month. Hopefully my next waves will be with the Big Fish Surf Tour. Looks like we will be heading to Nicaragua in April next year. I have been setting up these trips for 21 years and still going strong. Not hip replacement, divorce, marriage or a knee replacement can stop me. I live for that trip. We where thinking about going back to El Salvador (we have been going there since 06 but I got word is thing are not good. My friend Jan Carlo (great surfer) informed us the gangs are out of control since the leftist government got into power. It's so bad he wants to move his family to another country. To bad the place really goes off and my crew and I have made a lot of good friends there. They are great people and my prayers are with them. Anyway I am psyched to surf, I will update after the weekend so till then,

Peace

Fish

P.S. Started on the Max GXL today I will keep you updated with the results.

Six Weeks and Counting

Well this is my first blog that is inspired by my blogging buddies, Surfsister and Tango who both have undergone TKR Total Knee Replacement. Tango, Bi-lateral (that's both knees at the same time...ugh!) Surfsister, TKR and me, Minimal Invasive TKR. All three are different all have one thing in common, to get us out in the water surfing with NO PAIN. I have already had a minimal invasive THR Total Hip Replacement 4 years ago. I have fully recovered and have amazing ROM Range of Motion (see picture above) El Salvador one year post op. I am hoping to have the same result from my TKR with some hard work and a little guts. As of today my surgery is scheduled for September 16th. I have to say am a little freaked. It's not like I haven't been under the knife before, in fact I have had 4 knee surgeries, one ankle, and the hip. (note left hip/right knee) talk about being bionic. Being an ex-jock (I played college football and club lacrosse until I was 45) It seems like I am rehabbing something every 5 years since I am 18. It's getting to be a real pain in the ass. I'm not looking forward to the long process of rehabilitation, it really sucks. Anyway enough of this crying. The surgery will be performed at Pennsylvania Hospital by Dr. Jess Lonner MD. I will be getting a Zimmer NexGen knee and Doc will be doing a modified minimal invasive procedure due to my previous surgeries. I am also going to start taking MaxGXL recommended to speed the healing and rehab process. I understand the minimal quad-sparing operation is a much easier rehab with less pain...yea right! Just hope I get me some good pain meds. I know the 16th is going to be here before I can say knee replacement so I'm going to train to get that leg and get it as strong as I can and surf like there's in tomorrow. I only need mother nature to provide some waves here on the East Coast, New Jersey (it's flat today). That's it for now, I will up date as my special day approaches.

Aloha