We need to call this blog “Bubble Boy.” I’m now like the boy in the bubble. I can’t do anything fun. Yes, I injured my knee playing volleyball in Hawaii. It happened Friday afternoon with the folks from Matco Tools. They had district managers from each of the five regions playing different games and I was a good sport and joined in. I was having a blast. I went up to hit the ball, I was in the middle, I hit it hard and someone bumped into me and when I landed I came down funny on my knee. I heard a pop and I knew I was hurt. There were a lot of people around and everyone got really quiet. They were concerned and called hotel security. They took me to my room in a wheelchair. I talked to some of the folks from our team and they said I need to go to the hospital and have it looked at.



So, Diana Hurst of our team took me to the hospital late Friday afternoon. When we got there, they said it was a four-hour wait. The nurse asked what I did and I told her, so they took us in right away. That was nice of them. They took x-rays and felt I pulled or tore something. They couldn’t tell much, but recommended I see a specialist when I got back to Las Vegas. I had to spend all day Saturday in Hawaii, but in my room. I didn’t get to surf or swim with the dolphins. Maybe that’s a good thing I didn’t surf. Who knows what would have happened to me?



You don’t realized what it’s like to be handicapped until you get injured. It was really hard to travel. I had a lot of nice people helping me. I wasn’t in first class, so that five-hour plane flight was rough. I couldn’t stretch my leg, but the flight attendants did their best to make my flight comfortable. I relaxed on Sunday and got ready for the doctor Monday. Bazemore joked that he hired one of the Matco guys to take me out like the Tonya Harding/Nancy Kerrigan skating episode. I can tell you, it’s not true!



I finally got to the doctor Monday and they did an MRI. They discovered I tore my meniscus and some cartilage. They could do surgery or let it heal. They didn’t want me to go under the knife because we have to race next week. So, I came back the next day and went through some mild rehab exercises. I passed that test, so that plan is to take it easy and get some mobility in my legs. I won’t be able to do my pre-race routine or jump off the roll cage after we win, but it won’t keep me from racing. I could drive right now.



I’m bummed because it’s NASCAR week in Las Vegas and I’m a big NASCAR fan. I was looking forward to going to the track and hanging out. I’m close with Jeff Motley and Chris Blair of Las Vegas Motor Speedway and they’re setting up some PR stuff for me to do on Saturday afternoon. I’ll definitely be there.



It’s hard being on crutches. It makes all the little things hard. I need to grocery shop, but getting around is tough. It really makes you appreciate being able-bodied. We really do take things for granted. I’ll take it easy the rest of the week. I’ll do rehab every other day and every day next week until I fly to Florida Thursday morning.



Despite the injury, I had a great time in Hawaii at the Matco Tools Expo. It was great to meet all the Matco distributors and employees. Vicky Perrin was really helpful to our entire team, and John Torok always takes good care of us. It was great to meet Matco Tools president Tom Willis. It also was great for me and Baze to bond. We’ll do another blog after NASCAR this weekend and I’ll be good as new for Gainesville.