Jacob "Jack" Robinson Race walking Longmeadow, Mass. Overcame: Massive stroke
Jacob Z. "Jack" Robinson, now 85, had a massive cerebral hemorrhage in May 2006. The prognosis was not good. It was "bleak -- certain death within the next few hours or days," said Robinson's daughter, Betsy Bertuzzi.
Brain injuries are always frightening, and it is impossible to predict how someone affected by a stroke or other brain injury will bounce back. If at all. Robinson's road to recovery was further complicated by his living will.
"He could not hold his head up, follow a simple command 'say aaaah' or chew. He spent two weeks in the hospital, taking in no nourishment at all (following his explicit wishes stated in his health care proxy)," Bertuzzi said.
But even before he began his recovery in earnest, Robinson was focused on returning to the 2007 Summer National Senior Games. Bertuzzi remembers, "From the third day after his stroke, he was telling people, 'I'm going to Louisville to compete in the 2007 Senior Games -- if they'll let me.' " He spent more than a month in a rehabilitation facility, learning basic physical and mental tasks again. Eventually, although he had some trouble with his balance, Robinson could walk again.
"It is a testament to his prior physical conditioning (running and race walking three times a week for 30 years) and healthy habits (eating lots of fish, refraining from fried foods and alcohol due to a lifetime of stomach ulcers) that he was able to recover and then, step-by-step, regain his abilities to the point that he was able to compete and medal in the 2007 National Senior Games," Bertuzzi said.
F. Michael Sisavic Softball Portland, Ore. Overcame: Prostate cancer, back problems
Sisavic, 68, says he has had four strikes, but he hasn't given up his turn at bat. "It's like when your car passes the 100,000 miles warrantee and everything begins to fall apart," he said.
Strike one was like a fastball down the middle. It was fast, obvious and sudden. While making a play at shortstop in July 2004, Mike felt a sharp pain in his lower back. A few weeks later, he had spinal surgery to repair a ruptured disc. Although his foot continued to flop for almost a year, he was back playing in eight weeks and had a season batting average of .684.
Strike two was more like a change-up, because there were no symptoms. In February 2006, Sisavic was diagnosed with clogged arteries during a routine exam. Sisavic had a triple by-pass two weeks later.
Strike three was a big one. "That was almost an out," Sisavic said. Last summer he was diagnosed with serious prostate cancer. Surgery was a success, and Mike played his first post-op tournament one month later. He batted .735 for the season.
Strike four came in November 2007 when Sisavic was diagnosed with a torn meniscus. After surgery, he expects to play in Senior Softball USA's Tournament of Champions in February. "Most of the guys think I'm crazy and should take it easy," Sisavic said. "Who knows? Maybe I am crazy. But then again, I am passionate about the game and I'm still at bat."
Neil Gussman Cycling Lancaster, Pa. Overcame: Broken vertebra
On May 9 last year, Gussman, 55, crashed on his bicycle while going approximately 50 mph during a downhill training race. The accident was horrific. "I flipped to the road on my face and right shoulder," Gussman said. "In an instant I broke three vertebra in my neck, smashing the seventh, and broke four ribs, my collarbone and shoulder blade and my nose. I was Medevaced from the scene." Two days later, doctors replaced Gussman's shattered C-7 vertebrae with one from a cadaver. "Eight days later, I walked out of the hospital and … on Aug. 3, with two of the guys who saw the accident, I rode down the hill I crashed on." Gussman also has re-enlisted in the National Guard after an absence of 23 years. The communications manager for the Chemical Heritage Foundation has joined to offer his expertise on chemical weapons. He chronicles his National Guard experience at http://armynow.blogspot.com.
Wayne Christopherson Long distance running Alpena, Mich. Overcame: Heart attack
The last 59-year-old you'd expect to have heart attack was Wayne Christopherson. He's a marathoner and he's competed in a number of ultramarathons.
But Christopherson did have a heart attack, and it occurred ironically after he finished a one-mile race in June 2007. "Luckily, he was standing next to Mike Gardiner, an ER physician and a respiratory therapist, who knew [Christopherson] had complete cardiac failure," said Christopherson's friend, Joseph Gentry.
CPR and emergency medical technicians, who jumpstarted Christopherson's heart after they arrived on the scene, saved his life. At the hospital, tests determined that Chrisopherson had a 90 percent blockage in a key artery. A surgically inserted stent has allowed him to return to his life as a runner.
His first race after the heart attack was two months later -- the Tahqua Train Run, a 25K race on August 25. He finished in 2:28.12, placing fourth in his age group and 29th overall. Over the winter he continued to compete by racing in cross country ski races.
John King Track and Field Portland, Ore. Overcame: Hip replacement complications
King, now 67, won more than 200 medals in a 10-year period throwing the javelin and discus and putting the shot. But four years ago he began developing pain in his left hip, which was later diagnosed as severe degenerative arthritis. He delayed surgery until January 2006 for fear of not being able to return to competition.
When he did have his hip replaced, complications followed. The hip had to be cemented and wired back together, forcing King to be confined to his house for the better part of three months. At that point, he said, "I had really accepted the end of my Masters career."
King underwent therapy in his house and in a local pool. The hard work paid off. Seven months after the surgery, King returned to competition. He competed in four meets at the end of 2006 and won 16 medals.
Continuing his weekly therapy, King had a very successful 2007 season. He competed in 11 track meets, winning 11 gold, eight silver and eight bronze medals. After one full season under his belt since the surgery, King says he's looking forward to an even better 2008 season.
Cycling
