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Dre Armeda

and I love tacos

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Dre

A Rollercoaster of Mind and Body

Dre Armeda · Apr 29, 2016 ·

Thank you for all the texts and messages wishing me luck with the neurosurgeon visit yesterday. A lot of you have asked status and I haven’t shared with many as I am trying to wrap my head around it all.

What the hell is going on?

After a ton of tests and doctors visits, yesterday I received a prognosis from a neurosurgeon that came recommended by my Godparents, Dr. Abshire of Temecula Valley Neurosurgery. This is my second neurosurgeon opinion after countless MRI’s, nerve studies, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture and cupping treatments, sports medicine and orthopedic surgeon visits, physical therapy and so on.

Dre MRI Neck Cervical

During my visit yesterday, Dr. Abshire recommended a level 2 Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) on discs C4/5 – C6/7. ACDF is a surgery to remove a herniated or degenerative disc in the neck area of the spine. The incision is made in the front of the spine through the throat area. After the disc is removed, a bone graft is inserted to fuse together the bones above and below the disc space. Level 2 means I would be getting two done at once which is not awesome. Here’s a good simulation of what happens during an ACDF:

Looks pretty nasty, doesn’t it?

Symptoms and lack there of.

Now, for context. Anyone who has seen me or trained with me over the last 6-7 months knows that my left arm has completely atrophied (Hard to tell in the picture with these tiny guns of mine).

Left Arm Atrophy

What has most likely happened is C5 has bulged enough that it is sitting on the main nerve root that controls signals to parts of my arm. I have lost deltoid and bicep strength and range of motion to a point where I couldn’t lift my arm to hold a toothbrush or pour a cup of coffee. I had to learn how to protect that vulnerable arm on the mat. I have spent a tremendous amount of energy and countless hours on the mat retooling my Jiu Jitsu game in an effort to work around the dead arm. It was painstaking and saddening to feel like I was starting over again, but I did it. I never quit and I feel like a monster right now.

One Arm Bandit
Took 2nd at the Jiu Jitsu World League 2016 Las Vegas Super Championship with one dangling arm 🙂

It has been a huge challenge. The arm has certainly started improving over the last 3 months which has helped, but not considerably. I still get the sensation of pins and needles down the shoulder and to the bicep with certain neck/head movements. This is a symptom that shows that the nerve is still alive but still being impinged. My arm and shoulder still become extremely fatigued during training or when I work movements that use the Bicep and Deltoid. It’s super annoying!

The thing that really puzzles me the most about all of this is that I don’t have consistent pain, and have not since the last impactful episode occurred last summer. The first signs of neck issues started in March of 2014 where I kinked my neck warming up for Jiu Jitsu NoGi. I couldn’t move it hurt so bad. That kept recurring randomly every few months until June of last year when I started losing strength and motion.

Physical Therapy

Since then, I get sore but it’s not continual pain. It’s discomfort, soreness, and a ton of pins and needles. It is knots along my shoulder-blade and a crackling sensation when moving my neck left or right. However, no consistent pain, and that really concerns me. This lack of pain leaves me in a place not knowing what the right solution is, and the neurosurgeon’s don’t seem 100% confident in their prognosis due to there being no consistent pain.

So what’s next?

I am not quite sure. I know I have a lot of unanswered questions that I need to consult with Dr. Abshire about. In our initial discussions it doesn’t seem like there are a lot of options. Another viable direction with no long-term impact studies, especially when correlated with combat sports, is complete disc replacement. There have been short-term studies with good results but not enough data to make a determination that this direction is a long-term solution.

It is likely that if the ACDF surgery is the only answer, it won’t be something I am willing to do until after summer. Again, I am not in pain, I am just living with one functional arm and discomfort. I will keep researching and hunting for viable alternatives, and most certainly I will keep training for the time being. This may be the end of my Jiu Jitsu road, at least the paved road I have become accustomed to walking upon. I will enjoy every last roll until the bitter end.

~One Arm Bandit

WooConf 2016 Master of Ceremonies

Dre Armeda · Feb 24, 2016 ·

It’s official. I am headed to WooConf 2016 as the official master of ceremonies of the event.

WooConf MC

WooConf is all things WooCommerce and a way for you to master eCommerce. It’s 2 days of talks, workshops and networking with industry leaders, developers and agency folks.

From the official site:

Hear from over 40 top level speakers, sharpen your eCommerce and experience why over 30% of all online stores worldwide are powered by WooCommerce. With separate tracks for store owners and developers, hands-on workshops and unique opportunity to meet the team behind WooCommerce and troubleshoot IRL at the ninja help desk, WooConf is a unique networking and learning opportunity. An exquisite venue in the heart of downtown Austin will be the perfect setting to take your eCommerce knowledge to the next level. See you there?

The event is 6-8 April 2016 in Austin, Tx if you’re interested in attending.

WooConf 2016

The Eagle Still Stands Tall!

Dre Armeda · Jul 2, 2015 ·

15 years ago on this date I was floating a few hundred miles off the coast of California onboard the U.S.S. John C. Stennis. We were steaming home towards sunny San Diego from a 6+ month deployment. It was the first U.S. Navy WestPac of the Millennium. We where enforcing the no-fly zone guarding against attacks from Saddam and Iraq during our months in the gulf.

This weekend while you’re BBQ’ing and enjoying the holiday, remember what it’s for. Our independence and the foundation set when our forefathers fought to bring this soon-to-be nation freedom is the very thing our troops defend to this very day. Don’t lose sight of that!

Enjoy safely with your loved ones, but also reflect and educate our little ones. Tip a couple back for those willing to volunteer, those willing to suffer the ultimate sacrifice for you, all in the face of protecting true freedoms across the world. Whether you care to believe it or not, they are out there standing the watch for you and your loved ones while you’re eating ribs and popping bottle caps!

Thank you to all my brothers and sisters that stand the watch! I think of you every single day! I am honored by the oath you’ve taken and your vow to protect my county and my loved ones.

God bless you. God bless America!

The Eagle still stands tall!

From Jiu Jitsu Zombie to IBJJF Competitor. I Win!

Dre Armeda · Dec 17, 2013 ·

It’s not all that uncommon for a BJJ white belt player to catch the fever. You know, that zombie like state that consumes at least every other thought until you get on the mat to train that day? I quickly caught it!

BJJ Zombie

A couple of months into my BJJ journey, I was already really excited about where it could all end up. If you’ve ever practiced Jiu Jitsu for any length of time, you know how addictive it can become.

It was not long after this early yet jubilant revaluation that I set what I considered to be a lofty goal. Considering my inexperience on the mat at the time, I told myself and my team that I would compete in a real-deal Jiu Jitsu tournament before the end of the year.
[Read more…] about From Jiu Jitsu Zombie to IBJJF Competitor. I Win!

WordPress Security – WordCamp Europe 2013

Dre Armeda · Dec 9, 2013 ·

Here is the video of my presentation at WordCamp Europe.

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Dre Armeda, MBA, CISSP

Dre Armedaa

Head of Global Security Products at @GoDaddy, Dad to 5 girls, Navy Veteran, Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt, Angels & Chargers loyal, Jeep head & taco lover.

Vice President of Product – Resume

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