Jon, your strength will come back. It may even surprise you how quickly. Three weeks ago I couldn't walk through the house without holding on to chair backs, the mantle, door casings, etc. I couldn't have picked up 5 lbs. to chest level. Yesterday morning I replaced a bearing in a peanut inverter. We went and bought groceries at the supermarket and I was able to walk with the wife the whole time without sitting down. Late yesterday afternoon I shot my 20 ga. 687 SP II Sporting about 20 times at clays, off of a backyard trap. I was surprised at how easily I could hold the gun up. We're going to shoot a round of sporting this afternoon and I'm going to start off with my 32" Perazzi (9 # + gun). I'll carry the 20 ga. just in case the big MX8 gets to be too much for me towards the last.
I've pushed myself, understanding that the way to build back lost muscle is the use what you have left everyday until you are really tired, breaking down the muscle structure. Eat plenty of protein ( my reputation as a carnivore makes that easy, plus I add unflavored protein powder to lots of stuff), and get plenty of sleep, and the muscles will rebuild themselves. My GP told me to expect a 100% restoration of lost muscle mass.
Good luck, buddy. I can empathize with how you feel, and I'm pulling for you.
SRH
