The bracelet – black in color – rests on the left wrist of the 36-year-old bundle-of-eternal-and-optimistic energy.
It reads: “Yet.’’
He will – and it will happen in the not-too-distant future – get to where he wants and needs to be in his rehabilitation process.
But tell him he is not quite there and he will reply emphatically…
“Yet.’’
“There are goals and with each one we reach, we – my physical therapist, the doctor who did my surgery, my daughter, my sister, my brother-in-law and all who have supported me – agree that we aren’t where we want to be,’’ said Stockton, Iowa’s Randy Noggle. “But that day is coming and coming soon. “Yet’’ is just another motivational tool I use, but no one – outside of those close to me – thought we would be this close after a few (5) months. Things are great.’’
It is a gorgeous, sun-kissed Friday in early December and Noggle sits – and be advised, Randy Noggle is not a sitter, he is a go-getter – explaining the events that led to where he is on this day.
They are mind-boggling as to what happened and where he stands – without assistance – it should be noted, a far cry from where he came. His story is one of determination, grit and the deep appreciation for the skills of a gifted surgeon and an outstanding, ever-dedicated physical therapist.
Noggle’s wild medical journey began in late July at an area trampoline outlet, where he was enjoying an afternoon with his daughter Jayden. Then “it’’ happened, and the life of the single father was changed forever.
A gifted athlete and high-energy type, Noggle attempted a simple move on a two-tiered portion of the trampoline section he was enjoying.
And all was well…
Until he landed.
“You can tell when something is wrong and I could tell when I landed things weren’t good,’’ Noggle said with a smile and a hand wave, his way of signifying that all heck had just broken loose with his knees. “I tried to move and couldn’t. Tried to take my right leg and move it. It didn’t move. Same with my left. I call them gold (left) and silver (right) today, because one is a little better than the other. That day (in July) I noticed my knee caps weren’t where they were supposed to be and swelling was starting to take place. So, yes, I knew things were different.’’
For the record, Noggle is not the panic type. He, with some help, made his way to a corner of the trampoline facility and waited for assistance from his brother-in-law, who would transport him to the hospital.
It was determined upon examination and imaging that Noggle had – in his knees – ruptured bilateral patella tendons, leaving him with no structural support in either leg, facing a tedious surgery and a lengthy, arduous, rehabilitation.
Life as he knew it had changed.
“In the hospital, I was forced to toss aside my ego and succumb to a couple of situations where pride was thrown out the window,’’ Noggle said.
But…
The tremendous skill of surgeon, Dr. Tuvi Mendel, put Noggle’s knees back together.
“The response from Dr. Mendel to get to my issue in a hurry was amazing,’’ Noggle said. “What a gifted surgeon and just a great man. I can’t thank him enough for his work.’’
Noggle – after research – found the perfect rehabilitation match in Rock Valley Physical Therapy. He knew the road before him would be lengthy just to return to normal activities, and even longer to get him back to the active lifestyle he led before the accident.
“Best decision I could have made,’’ Noggle said of doing his rehabilitation at Rock Valley’s Walcott, Iowa-based clinic and the benefits of the off-the-charts work of clinic manager Alison Warnecke, PT, DPT, LSVT.
Warnecke earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Iowa State University and her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.
“I searched for something close to help me, but when I saw Alison’s credentials and the credentials of all those with Rock Valley and saw all the success they have with their patients, I was sure this is where I needed to be,’’ added Noggle. “I needed someone to work with me, not just give me things they thought might help and set me off to the side. I needed something close and I needed someone who would “get’’ me.’’
Warnecke, tireless in her pursuit to “Make Better Lives,’’ was just the person and Rock Valley Physical Therapy was just the place.
Noggle says he has found a home with Rock Valley and landed upon a dedicated, patient-first therapist, who continues to go above and beyond to meet his rehabilitative needs and better his life. Warnecke has worked to challenge Noggle at every turn, but most importantly has listened and come to understand the needs of someone who arrived without the ability to use both legs.
“I knew my situation was not normal, but Rock Valley – Alison – I learned quickly could handle it,’’ Noggle said. “If Alison were rigid in her approach this never would have worked and I never would be in a position to achieve my goals. If she didn’t care or understand me I would have left long ago. She is amazing on many fronts.’’
Faced with a variety of challenges, Warnecke had on her side the fact Noggle was motivated, had set a number of goals for himself and was open to the rehabilitation plan of success she had charted for him. A plan, both sides say, changes with regularity, simply to better Noggle’s path to success.
“We have been through many challenges from him first being in a wheelchair and transferring with just his upper body, to now he is working on continuing strengthening and beginning agility exercises,’’ Warneck said of Noggle. “He also has kept an online journal on Facebook called “Change in Plans,’’ and I have learned a great deal from him through that. It’s an avenue of communication I can check. It’s just another way to know how Randy feels about what we are working toward. It helps a great deal to have a motivated patient.’’
It also helps to have a patient void of self-pity and unafraid to work to get better. Part of the recovery process, Warnecke says, is to rid oneself of preconceived notions.
“Randy loves a good challenge, but we both know we can modify whatever we put in front of him to have success,’’ Warnecke said. “And we have had to modify things to achieve success. The great thing is Randy is willing and cares so much about getting better. It’s been the most fun challenge.’’
Warnecke learned early that the goal-oriented Noggle was going to be in tune with what stood before him.
“Randy was really athletic before this happened and one of my goals is to get him back to strength for everyday and then the specific agility for the athletic side of his life,’’ she said. “It’s been a cool challenge for me. He won’t back off and he laughs when there is pain, so that’s a sign. He is highly motivated to return to the way things were before he was injured.’’
There is no specific release date for Noggle, but he is down to one therapy session per week. He is now lifting weights on his own and managed recently to sneak in a trail walk at Wildcat Den State Park.
An ambitious goal is to return to work full time in January (2023) though time – and continued progress – will tell. But to be where he is along his recovery path after just five months, is nothing short of amazing.
“This really is a great relationship,’’ Noggle said of what Warnecke and Rock Valley Physical Therapy have done to have him where he is on his path to recovery. “I cannot say enough about Alison. I have been challenged at every turn, but been cared for and taken care of as well. I have setbacks and I fall from time to time, but I am so lucky to be where I am. I’m not quite there.’’
“Yet.’’
By: Johnny Marx, Storyteller