Sunday, May 29, 2011

Small Light

I'm making progress.  My arm is getting better.  I can now see a small little baby light at the end of the tunnel.  It's just a speck, but it's there and I'm moving toward it.

My range of motion is improving everyday, and my arm is actually working like an arm instead of an awkward appendage coming from my shoulder.

My motivation to ride the trainer has arrived.  Mostly because my body is sore from running, hiking, and walking, but also because when I can ride outside, I want to ride.  There are places I want to go and things I want to see, so I better be fit enough to get there by bicycle.

On a side note, along with espresso, this was this morning's entertainment. 
Who knew there were black foxes?

Monday, May 16, 2011

Brutal Truth

When you first get injured, you have a certain disconnect with your injury.  As that injury is put into a cast and/or splint, the disconnect continues.  The injury heals and you don't actually have to do anything to it.
 However, as soon as that injury comes out of the cast/splint it is now it's up to you to get that body part back to what it was like before it was injured.  That's where the disconnect ends and reality hits, hard.  What used to be a strong, flexible, good working body part is now a stiff, weak, strange alien-like thing that is attached to you.  Nobody but you and your own hard work will get that strange alien form back to a familiar, good functioning body part.

10 years ago, I shattered my knee cap.  That injury and rehab process was horrible.  BUT, I learned a lot about myself, about injuries, and about recovery from injuries.  Now, with my broken elbow, that knowledge is either a blessing or a curse.  A blessing because I know what to expect in the rehab process.  I know what's it like to have shattered something, have it put back together, rehab all that, then get the hardware out, start the process all over again, then after a year or so, you are healed and back to somewhat normal.  Back then, I thought it was the end of the world.  Now, I know bikes will still be there in a few months, bike racing will still be there next year and my body will remember how to ride a bike.  During this time off it's important to enjoy it and enjoy the process of spending time away from what you love.

Or a curse because I know what to expect in the rehab process.  I know what's it like to have shattered something, have it put back together, rehab all that, then get the hardware out, start the process all over again.  IT SUCKS!! It's painful, it's horrible, it makes you miss doing the things you love, and it makes you feel pretty inadequate for awhile.  In my opinion, a person should not have to go through this kind of injury process twice.

Truth is, whether I like it or not, this is my reality and a lot of the time it sucks.  BUT, it's rewarding too.  Baby steps.  Today I was able to pony my hair all by myself and give He Who Can Not Be Named a real, two armed hug. I'm able to pull my own espresso shots and my running program has officially begun.  Being able to do these "new" actives makes me proud at how far I have come in the past 6 weeks.  Yes, I have a long way to go, but for now, as much as it sucks, I'm enjoying the process.

Friday, May 6, 2011

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Vacation

Went to Fruita for the weekend.
Camped
Got snowed on
Slept in the Van agon
Ate Oatmeal
No e-mail/Internet for 4 days
Hiked
Ate Mexican
Laughed around the bon fire
Hiked
Played with the dogs
Ate Mexican
No e-mail/Internet for 4 days
Relaxed

The weekend in Fruita was
Fun
Relaxing
Perfect

I am now
TIRED