Today, my surgeon and I reached a consensus on what needs to happen going forward concerning my leg. I need to have surgery again to remove the steel appliance and the screws in my right leg. He wants me to have the surgery in the fall, as this gives me the best prognosis and outcome. I agree.
So this summer, I will need to append my plans for my trip as getting into the upper valleys with a painful leg, is mostly impractical. I still intend on taking my trip, however, I will limit the climbing to a minimum as I find it quite painful to attempt to climb or trek substantive distances with the plate in my leg. The leg swells immediately upon heavy stress, and the swelling causes other issues such as edema that doesn’t easily reduce.
The plan is to have the surgery in November, and it is hoped that once I have completed a period of rehabilitation, my leg may be more normal. The nerve damage I have suffered is appreciable, and that will not restore, and likely get worse, however the functionality of my leg should improve over time, which is essentially what I’m looking for. Less swelling, less pain.
Like many of you, at my age, who have suffered any number of accidents, pain is part of a daily ritual. I have been blessed with a high pain tolerance, so I do not take any pain killers, which I don’t believe in. Personally, I’d rather have pain. It becomes a measure of either improvement or deterioration, which then I can adjust my fitness regime to accomodate accordingly.
It also serves to let me know I’m alive and to live every day with a resolve to make that day exciting, interesting and as full of life as I can. May you all find interest throughout this winter and look forward with real joy to riding in the spring. I am like a kid, awaiting Xmas. This spring I will get to ride extensively throughout the western half of North America. I intend to fill my days with as much riding as I can handle. Life is for living. Get on with it.
Thanks for coming along for the ride…
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