Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Lee Weld blog: a season of rehab
Jan. 29, 2011
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois right-handed pitcher Lee Weld will be keeping a blog throughout the 2011 season, giving Saluki fans an insight on what it is like to be a student-athlete at SIU. Here is his first entry of the season...
Hello Saluki baseball fans,
I'm Lee Weld, a sophomore relief pitcher from Dana, Ill. I am currently sitting out the 2011 season with a torn labrum in my throwing shoulder and will be writing a blog on the rehabilitation of my shoulder, updates from the season and an inside look at Saluki Baseball.
I injured my shoulder in summer ball. The injury was a surprise to me because there were no telltale signs of anything wrong until I got back to SIU to start the fall practice season. The X-rays and MRIs were all taken and it was shown that I had a partially torn labrum. I will start my blog with the day of my surgery and continue to provide updates on how the recovery is going, along with giving fans an insight to what it is like to be a student-athlete.
Day One - Jan. 6, 2011
Pre-Surgery - I had an early start today, as my parents and I got on the road at 6:00 a.m. to start the three-hour drive to St. Louis. I will be having my surgery at around 11:45 a.m. and should wake up around 1:45 p.m. The surgery is done by using arthroscopic and will only require two holes about the size of a pen. The plan is to shave the tear and anchor it back to my bone to make sure that is stays in place. I'm extremely anxious and nervous at the same time, since this is something that can either make or break your career as a student-athlete.
The worst part of surgery day is that I won't be able to eat or drink from when I wake up until after my surgery. I woke up at 5 a.m., so I'm going to be pretty hungry. Let's hope the doctor had his breakfast and is ready to go!
Post-Surgery - We left the hospital around 2 p.m. to drive back home. The surgery went extremely well from what the doctor told us. He said my shoulder was very clean and there were no problems other than my shoulder being slightly abnormal. My right arm is completely numb with a pain block going through it and my mouth is dry from having a breathing tube. I came out of the anesthesia with no problem other than a headache, but I was pretty hungry. We had a three hour ride home with a stop to get some pain medications since tomorrow the pain block will wear off and all I will have is ice to get me through tonight to keep the swelling down.
I'm also in a sling with an abduction pad to keep my arm out at an angle that makes doing anything a tough task one handed, especially since I had surgery on my dominant hand. We stopped for food on the ride home, but my mouth was so dry it was almost impossible to eat. I was finally able to enjoy a meal later that evening. I'll be sure to update you again later this week. Thanks for reading and Go Dawgs!
Lee Weld #29