Muscles Remember

Ten weeks of inactivity = MUFFIN TOPS!

Ten weeks later I’m back on my roady!

As I rolled out of the marina I saw a few of my neighbours.

“Back on the bike hey,” he said.

I admitted I was scared getting back on.

Surprisingly the legs felt strong. Given the pelvic injury (see post) the core is still working it’s way back. Shoulder is going to take some time.

I cut myself some slack and set out for an hour. Passed my fave Saturday morning cycling gang. Arm in the air I was so proud.

“First roady!” I proclaimed as they rolled by.

The first raise of the heart rate up the seaside slopes. I felt the old familiar taste of salt. I was in heaven.

All along I kept saying to myself how grateful I am to have my health. How grateful I am to be able to ride. How grateful I am for where I live.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise upon my return to the bike shop for a social was seeing my son. He being the one I called first when I went down. I remember it like it was yesterday.

“Kyle, I went down really hard on my bike, you need to come and get my bike NOW!”

So I had him snap me a new picture. The lb’s are up. But the spirit is back.

And thank goodness.
The muscles remember!

Earned Patience

The thesaurus uses staying power, persistence and tolerance as synonyms for the word patience.

I’ve been hearing it a lot lately. Especially when it comes to trying to do anything physical.

Six weeks today since the pelvic and clavicle fractures.
Yesterday I managed 50 meters with the shoulder doing the breaststroke. The remaining 600 meters was water walking and on my back sculling. At least I can do something!

Walking is painfully slow still. Although I can do a block now, without sitting down.

Last night I met a woman who had back surgery in April. She was sporting a plastic back like brace. Her 4^th and 5^th lumbars fused back together with screws. Alleviating years of excruciating nerve pain.

She said to me, “Paint the picture of how you want to look and feel when you’re all healed up.”

As I hobbled away I imagined.

Then chuckled to myself thinking again her final words.

“Remember to be patient.”

Ironically right after I had a text chat with another pal who’d suffered a shoulder injury a year earlier. Now in limbo awaiting surgery. Still with pain and suffering.

Her gift in words to me was the slow down was the best thing that could of happened to her in her life. She’d met the man of her dreams, watched her eldest daughter graduate. 
Nothing was rushed.

I’m humbled by the people I’ve been meeting in my current situation.

And slowly learning to live with that word: patience.

Half Way Healer

Each day gets better. When I sit up and stand up I express gratitude.

Thank goodness I didn’t need surgery, and - I didn’t knock myself out!

Physio says another week for bone netting and then I can get into some exercises. Maybe some pool walking.

I’m off the pain meds. Doing a Traumeel tablet three times a day is all.

But the muscles they are a screaming!

Which will take longer to heal. The soft tissue trauma.

It’s three weeks today since I slid on the train tracks off my road bike and fractured my pelvis in two places, along with my clavicle.

I’ve taken the liberty of making a list of the challenges you come across when in this kind of condition. I’m currently walking with a cane:

1. No such thing as parking for injured people. You’ve got to take your chances. Borrow Grandma’s handicapped decal?
2. Having a walking stick doesn’t mean people will get out of your way when you’re in a crowd. Take heed! Especially for rowdiness!! You don’t want to get bumped and re-injure yourself.
3. Unless you ask, it’s rare someone will open the door for you. Make sure to ask!
4. Ensure any length of trek absolutely necessary has somewhere to stop and sit along the way.
5. It’s not possible to carry anything heavier then five oranges.  Pelvic injuries too close to core. Ask a neighbour to assist with carrying groceries from car to home.
6. Assistance required also for carrying laundry.
7. Sleeping is the biggest challenge. I can now do two hours on my back with knees bent and blankets stuck under feet to stop slipping. Then the next shift is best sitting up back against the wall – three pillows with one for lower back so head and shoulders tilt back. Repeated as necessary.
8. Patience. Daily reminders. This is temporary!! Cardio junkies don’t do well when their heart rates aren’t challenged and they’re not sweating!
9. Finally, mornings are hard. Slow and steady. Ambling off my boat to walk the dog is the toughest part of the day. But the most rewarding. I can do it. Moving is good!

I’m half way there for the mending of the bones.
Plan on coming back stronger.

Today. Calling myself the half way healer.