TeamUP Community

Streamwood

Illinois

I'll keep it short.....ish. August 23rd, 2014 started like any other day. I was out for my daily training run in the local forest preserve. A freak thunderstorm erupted and was upon me before I could get back home. I was taking shelter when a lightning bolt hit the ground 3ft in front of me. It was the brightest and most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, it was like time slowed down. The electricity went through my body, and exited out my back and neck, and into the apple tree behind me. Lucky I was able to contact my wife and she rushed to pick me up. I was told I had an episode with my heart, and damage to the muscles around the heart. The left side of my face is now numb, tingling like when your foot is asleep, with stabbing shocking pain. I was diagnosed with Trigeminal neurologia, a rare facial pain disorder with no cure but brain surgery. Surgery is not an option as the nerves are damaged from the lightning and my body needs to "re-wire" itself, which it has somewhat, to a point. I am just happy to be alive, I'll live with the pain, as the alternative could have been much much worse. Three weeks later I was able to compete and finish the Ironman Triathlon in Madison Wisconsin. Fast forward to June, 2019. I was at home when I fell over plugging in a lamp. I was unable to walk down the stairs without loosing my balance and gripping the railing to not fall. My right leg was numb from the center of the knee down to the base of my toes. Off to the doctor yet again. Ugh. It was determined I had nerve damage due to two herniated disks, L3-L4 and L4-L5. I had two emergency surgeries within the next two days and was placed in a medicated coma for a day and a half due to the pain. Finally I was released from the hospital after 9 1/2 days. I had to teach myself to live and function again, with the help of my family and physical therapist. I was finally able to return to work in October of 2019. I was fitted with an AFO to help when I run. It does help with raising my foot so I don’t trip and fall. Honestly I do not use it as much as I should, it hurts the outside of my leg when I run. I have developed balance issues because of the muscle is atrophied in my lower legs. Yes I have bad days, but who doesn't. I still strive to be the best me I can be. A good husband, father, triathlete, commercial diver. I will always stay strong, keep my chin up, and fight. I will beat this. Edward Stowitts

Spinal Injury, Other

Trigeminal neuralgia

Cycling, Running, Triathlon/Multi-Sport Events