Catching Up

Hey all! Happy 4th of July! Sorry for the delay between posts, it has been a crazy week or so. I came down with a dohble ear infection, dealt with the excitement of TS Debby spinning so close to us in fhe Gulf of Mexico, rehab, and preparing to return to work. But the good news is I am out of a sling completely!!! Yesterday was my latest rehab and the first time I worked in more than just range of motion by stretch and minor self movement. I was on a hand bike , which is by far the most stress I have had my shoulder under yet. They also had me doung some extension combined with movement. I was able to do all of it with almost no pain and very little resistance( only resistance felt was from the inflamation that is still in the shoulder). I am still firmly holding on to the belief that my rapidly progressing motion, flexibilty and strength is directly attributed to my EFX bracelet. I am very anxious to grt to my bext therapy and see how much more they open up my rehab. I am feeling like I may start being able to swing a very light ball in a couple weeks!!! I cannot wait to get my Tack balls back on the lane!!! I am hopeful that by August I will be in full trainging on the lanes for Team USA trials. Well I am off to enjoy the rest of the day with my beautiful wife!

Follow Up #2

Well yesterday was the second follow up and because of my flexibility they are already pushing me pretty good. Got on the sono heat and then started exercises. First I did some shoulder stretches just moving the shoulder blades. Next I used a fitness/yoga ball doing some finger roll which didn't bother me at all, and I was almost completely extended. Then was pendulum swings; I did rotation, side to side and front to back(almost a bowling motion). It all felt fine until the front to back, the joints and muscles were just too tight and it hurt a bit, but I was getting some great motion. I went back to the fitness/yoga ball for more rolls and was back to great extension again. Last was the electrical stimulation and the game ready; game ready is a machine that pulsates ice water through a padded shoulder brace and it feels amazing! All day after this session I was a little sore and really tightened up and by the evening I was hurting a bit. Today I am still a little sore but it feels pretty good again and I am starting to work the motion a little more. I am still sticking to my theory of my EFX band and my flexibility. Well, that's it for now and I thank you for reading and will post again after my Friday therapy. Last thing I can say is that I REALLY miss bowling at this point. Until next time...

First Therapy Session

Sorry for the delay on this post, busy weekend. So my first therapy session was Friday and I was really concerned about the amount of pain I would be in after. But to my surprise there was none, and let me tell you why. As my therapist began working out my arm he was shocked at how easily I was loosening up and how much flexibility I had after I was loose with no pain. He had to have mentioned it atleast 5 times on how shocked he was about it. All I kept doing was looking at the little EFX bracelet and could only wonder. So while I can't say it is the sole reason, or even the reason; by the reaction of my therapist I am s believer in the power of EFX. Not to mention the focus and success I was having on the lanes before my injury. I think it is also important to point out that I am not sponsored by EFX. I was a supporter going into surgery, I am now a believer and a HUGE supporter of the product. I am hoping EFX may even get me back on the lanes early! Until next time....

First Follow Up

Had my first follow up yesterday. All is well and I will begin early rehab on Friday. Most importantly I am officially 8 weeks out from picking up a ball again. I will be in flexibility and rotation for 4 weeks then intensive strength and flexibility training the second 4 weeks. My rehab is going to be at the D1 Training Facility and I plan to maximize my time and really work on physical conditioning as much as I can while rehab is in progress. I look forward to this journey and cannot wait to pick a ball up again for the first time! I will be back after rehab on Friday with updates.

Boredom sets in...

Four days post surgery now and man does it get frustrating to be so limited on what you can do! But I have been trying to keep up to date on everrything throught TV and internet while trying to not drive my wife crazy. She has been amazing supporting me and getting me everything possible. Not to mention changing my bandages when she can't stomach stuff like that. Thank God she is here though, I will miss her next week. I am very anxious for my follow up on Wednesday to get my early rehab schedule and hear the doctor's opinion on when I can pick up a ball again. I am also eager to really utilize the rehab to get back in to shape and maybe even in better shape than before the surgery. I want to see if there is anycomments about my flexibility and healing, after they make positive comments, I will then show them my EFXBowling.com bracelet! Ready for this sling to be gone and the pain to start fading away. I will be starting some studying up on surfaces and match ups. I have been out of the loop for so long with the technical stuff and the Champion of Champions really pointed out the need for that. I will share knowledge as I gain it. Once I start my rehab a little more I may see if I can get a few items for contest give-a-ways. Stay tuned....

Day after surgery

Well surgery went well. Afterwards the doctor tod me the labrum was completely torn. The doctor had to place two Bio-Anchors instead of one. My first follow up is Monday and will most likely start early rehab after that. The shoulder block used kept my arm numb all day yesterday, and has just worn off this morning. A little pain has came on but I have meds if it gets too strong. My wife has already been amazing in helping me ebery way possible, but lets see ehen she has to change the bandages...lol. Write agajn soon when I have any updates. Thanks for following and thanks for those that have contacted me for support a nd to check on me, I reaaly appreciate it with all my heart!

The Equipment

Well tomorrow is the big day and as promised this is a post regarding my current equipment and what I will be working with on my rehab and mission going forward. I want to stress that I am not currently sponsored by any company, I use the equipment that I have because it suites my game the best.

I recently added the first time to my game and it made a HUGE difference. I began wearing the EFX bracelet from EFXBowling.com. Like them on Facebook or check out their web page. I can truly say that my focus was on point and my balance and confidence were amazing when I bowled with one on. I will be using the bracelet through my rehab in hopes of increased flexibility. I am a FULL EFXBowling.com supporter! http://efxbowling.com/

I currently have 5 bowling balls in my arsenal, they are as follows:

Track 919C - I got this ball for tougher lane conditions that I anticipate seeing through some bigger tournaments. I actually tossed it a little in my last tournament where I believe I tore my shoulder. It is definitely not the norm compared to the other balls in the C series. The 919C checks up earlier than the other balls if there is not enough front end oil for it to skid through, but for me that is good, as soon as it starts checking to early, I know that is my signal to pack it up and move to my 716C or 503C depending on the reaction and the lane play. http://trackbowling.com/products/product_detail/919c

Track 716C - Originally I got this ball just to have something between the 919C and the 503C, but I am very glad that I picked it up. This ball gets through the front of the lanes and has a perfect break point for my game, I am actually able to play this ball longer and jump right down to the 300C if the lanes don't see to be fit for the 503C. But it is also an amazing transition to the 503C, this is definitely a utility ball for me. http://trackbowling.com/products/product_detail/716c

Track 503C - LOVE THIS BALL! This is what I consider my benchmark ball, I always throw it first and then gauge what ball to go to from this. In less than a year back to the sport from a nearly 5 year layoff from competitive bowling this ball has given me a 300 and was instrumental in my 2nd place tournament finish right before the tournament I was injured in. http://trackbowling.com/products/product_detail/503c

Track 300C - This ball is a nice transition for the later part of the tournaments, it really gets down the lanes and has a smooth break. If the outside is open, the 716C and the 300C make a great pair to really score. http://trackbowling.com/products/product_detail/300c

Track 100P - Nice spare ball! Nothing much else to say here. http://trackbowling.com/products/product_detail/100p

Premium Player 3 Ball Tote w/ Pouch- Blue/Gray - Nice sturdy bag! http://trackbowling.com/products/product_detail/premium_player_3_ball_tote_w_pouch_blue_gray

Premium Player 2 Ball Tote - Nice tote! http://trackbowling.com/products/product_detail/premium_player_2_ball_tote

I am wearing the Dexter SST 6 Black shoes. These are very comfortable and very nice when facing tough approaches! http://www.dexterbowling.com/

Hope you enjoyed this information and I will hope to be blogging some tomorrow after my surgery, but if not I will post as soon as possible!

Thanks for reading, have a great day!

Jeffrey

Details of my Injury and Surgery

How or when my shoulder injury occurred is not known. But what I do believe is that during one of my tournaments is when the actual tear occurred. The injury is commonly known as a SLAP(Superior Labral Anterior Post) Tear. Basically after the MRI they determined that I had blunting and tearing of the anterosuperior labrum and fraying at the base of the superior labrum. The labrum is the connect between the shoulder and the bicept tendon(as it was explained to me anyways). I will be undergoing arthoscpoic outpatient surgery on June 5th. They will be using a Bio Anchor to attach the tendon and the labrum at the point of the tear. I have been told to expect 2 months of rehab prior to getting back to the lanes. Hope you enjoy my updates, I will be completing another post soon with the information of my current equiptment(all Track at the moment) that I have and that I will be rehabing with. If you would like to help me succeed in my goals please consider sponsoring me at the link at the top of the page!

Thanks!

Get to know me

I began bowling at the age of 13 thanks to a high school club, I think I averaged around 92 for the season. The next year I joined a regular youth league and by the end of the season was averaging near 190, my career began. Most of the kids I bowled with were years ahead of me in tenure on the lanes so I was always climbing twice as fast to catch up. By the time I reached my last 2-3 years of youth eligibility I was really becoming competitive. I won a couple tournaments, began placing high in others and was closing in on my honor score achievements. My second to last  year as youth I shot my first 800 followed by my first 300 my last year at state tournament. With city and state plaques my last year I was ready! My first year as an adult bowler I shot 2 more 300 games and cashed in my very first PBA Regional tournament. I then began my learning double time again to catch up to the superb bowlers in the area and the region. I competed in 2 Master's tournaments and learned so much. As I was heading in to the 2005-2006 season I was very amped and looking forward to getting back to Regional action and being competitive, however that was not the case. The first have of the season was lack luster and I was not keeping energy to complete even a 3 game series. After a series of doctor visits I found out the reason behind my issues was due to a cyst in the sinus cavity in my cheek. So in early 2006 I had surgery to remove the cyst and was out of bowling for 2-4 months(or so I was told). The recovery after the surgery was longer than expected, I had to rebuild my stamina and my respiratory capabilities. It took me nearly a year to be able to bowl 3 games without getting winded. In the summer of 2008 I decided to get on the horse again and bowl the Cream of the Crop tournament, 2 months later I broke my non-bowling elbow. Frustrated I gave up even trying for awhile. In 2010 I started getting the itch again and began bowling. I was really enjoying it and felt READY! So in late 2011 I purchased all new equipment and began practicing a lot. In 2012 I started bowling a couple tournaments and bought some more equipment to have a full arsenal. During the tournaments I was having some shoulder pain but thought it was just getting back to the game, three tournaments in and I placed 2nd! I then headed to the biggest tournament I had bowled in a long time, after 4 games I was +4 and had just gotten lined up shooting a 255 to get there. I then had to wait 20 minutes for my next game due to a slow cross. My shoulder completely tightened up and I was not able to make a quality shot over the next 6 games. I knew something was wrong and headed to and Orthopedic sports doctor to check it out. Low and behold another set back, I need shoulder surgery. My blog will pick it up from here, hope you enjoy following my journey!

If you would like to help me succeed in my goals, please click the link below of the Give button at the top of the page. Thanks!

Sponsor my Journey!