Closing the Zipper...

[Zipperhead]

First, I'm Sean. I'm 27, and I live in Virginia, USA. The story behind Zipperhead is as follows:

At 18, I joined the Army Reserves, went to basic training, AIT and everything was fine. Shortly thereafter we moved to Pennsylvania and I started to go to college. In Sep of 2006, I lost control of my Jeep (WOO HOO JEEPS!) on a wet country back road and slid off the road into a ditch. Didn't really cause too much damage to the jeep, and I was shaking, but I thought I was fine. About 2 weeks later I started getting really bad headaches, and while sitting on the ground waiting for my Russian class in college, the floor started to move without me... So off to the Doctor's office. At the time, my OVERLY cautious doctor told me that the symptoms could be anything from stress headaches all the way to a leaking aneurism... GREAT! So one MRI later, I find that it's not the leaking aneurism (Thank Goodness), it's a birth defect called Arnold Chiari Malformation. Over the next few months, I went from Dr. to Dr. and went through test after test to try to figure the WHOLE situation out. After 4 months, and more tests than I can count, my Neurosurgeon and I decided the best course of action was brain surgery.

So, on January 22, 2007, I underwent an 8 and a half hour surgery to remove a chunk of skull and part of my top vertebrae. Luckily, I was up and walking the next day with little to no help. It wasn't fun, but I was walking. ICU for 2 days, regular hospital room for 3 days, and discharged. After that, it was 3 months of doing nothing and a little physical therapy to regain the movement in my neck... it was kind of my own little slice of hell.

Now, keep in mind that I've been in the Army reserves this entire time... but I just haven't been showing up. When I get back to normal attendance with my unit, my soldiers bestow upon me, the nickname of ZIPPERHEAD, because of the zipper like scar running up the back of my neck! So everything starts to get back to normal, when a deployment schedule comes up, and my name is on it. I have no problems with deploying, but some people above me, don't want me to go because of the surgery... Understandable... Needless to say, the Army then decides to look into my medical issues. BAM! Big fiasco ensues... Since then, they have tried, and failed, to kick me out of the Army.

But I digress... Ever since the surgery, I've let the "zipper" be the excuse for not doing certain things: exercise, normal activities, FUN STUFF! I'm sick and tired of the little voices telling me to use the surgery as just cause for not living life and fulfilling my obligations! It has been a long time coming, and I'm doing pretty good.

I have found others with the same problem. Some do the same thing I have done, and allow it to control their lives. Others have used it as an excuse to live life! I want to be that guy! Because of being lazy I was up to 221lbs, at 6'3". That's too heavy for me. About 8 months ago, I started Crossfit, but I don't do it regularly enough for it to do any good. But that all changes today!

Zip

[61stRevolt]

eh hem, so now that I've picked my jaw up off the floor, let me welcome you to OUR army, the rebellion! This is a great place to find motivation, and we're all pullin' for ya! I've thought of like a thousand cheesy zipper puns but I'll spare you from them. No more excuses, Zip, we'll hold you to that! Good luck!

[tenaciousglee]

Welcome from a fellow Virginian and a fellow Ranger! Will you be joining the 6 week challenge with us?

[Zipperhead]

eh hem, so now that I've picked my jaw up off the floor, let me welcome you to OUR army, the rebellion! This is a great place to find motivation, and we're all pullin' for ya! I've thought of like a thousand cheesy zipper puns but I'll spare you from them. No more excuses, Zip, we'll hold you to that! Good luck!

No Excuses! I'm heading to Crossfit right after work! And Thanks!

Welcome from a fellow Virginian and a fellow Ranger! Will you be joining the 6 week challenge with us?

Thanks! And Yes, I'll be joining the challenge. I just have to figure out my goals...