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Thanks for your note Seeking Solitude - I appreciate that. I'm nearly three months in now. Swelling is improved, range of motion much better but not completely returned. You get used to it hurting, that's just part of the deal. A few days ago I started being able to go down stairs one at a time. One Little Victory. The idea of kind of limiting myself away from more adventurous trips annoys me, but it is kind of a fact of life. It might sound weird, but it will force me to enjoy the park in a different way. I am hoping that for this next trip, I just kind of get through it (Hey, I can still do this!), and can then return to my semi-adventurous-but-definitely-not-getting-crazy-about-it trips for a few more years, and scale it back over time. Hopefully I'm smart enough to do that. A titanium rod should act as a decent reminder.
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MooseWhizzer Dave wrote:
A titanium rod should act as a decent reminder.
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Well done! Definitely made me laugh.
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Thought I would update. The fibula is coming along pretty well. Five months later, keeping up with the physical therapy (now every other week) and the associated exercises/stretches. I think both ankles/lower legs are stronger than they've ever been. The PT now focuses on strength and stability more than flexibility. Still hurts to do the exercises, that's just kind of the way it goes. This injury doesn't heal without pain. You get used to it. Normal walking I'm fine, though after awhile it'll start to hurt a bit. Have even been on snowshoes a few times briefly this winter. I am targeting March 14th to stop wearing the compression socks, that'll be 6 months since injury. Swelling is about 90-95% gone at this point. I was told the swelling would be the last thing to go, and that stairs would be the last thing to feel comfortable with. True in both cases.
I should be good to go for an ice out trip, and again, I thank everyone for the suggested routes. I'm just a little nervous about it, need to keep it simple, and I think each step I take, each day there, and completing the trip....I'll feel a lot better about it.
A word about compression socks. If you have to wear them, some Gold Bond in there can help with the itching. Didn't wear a normal sock over the compression sock until winter came and I kind of had to. That's like wearing double compression socks. Most of the time it is ok, but late at night, sometimes the itching is incredible, I succumb to temptation, and just fingernail scratch the ever-living H out of my lower leg. It is at once incredibly satisfying...and intensely unsatisfying...because no amount of scratching will make that itching go away. Believe me, I have tried. I scratch like there is no tomorrow, almost to the point of tears because it just keeps itching. I can't believe I've never drawn blood, but it isn't for lack of effort. Anyway, Gold Bond or something along those lines is more helpful than you'd think. Taking the blasted sock off and scratching at it like a madman helps in a way, there is a certain satisfaction to that, but Gold Bond or your skin moisturizer of choice is probably the wiser course of action. Sorry, didn't mean to drone on and on about compression socks. I can't wait to stop using them....
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Hang in there bud! I broke my back in 2014 and spent over a year learning to walk again, and have had to readjust my targets ever since- before it was about distance, now it's about stopping and smelling the roses (ok- wildflowers).
I can still trip, but it requires the use of sherpas now because I'm only allowed to carry 20lbs without restrictions, and 40lbs 1-2 times a day- so basically one portage a day, Before, I'd rush through each day to get to my planned site, now I plan shorter days and explore more on each lake, river, or portage.
I actually found slowing it down and taking it easy is more enjoyable because I'm not stressed about covering ground each day and generally book a couple of nights per site to rest and explore- I've found several little hidden waterfalls, pools with some brookies for dinner, old logging camp remains, and open glades perfect to lay back on with a good book.
Instead of the "macro" views of lake after lake, or portage after portage, I now look for the "micro" views of wildflowers, little streams, and small animals- there's nothing like seeing the hundreds of frog eyes looking back at twilight in a marsh while they serenade you. It's also nice to have a couple of extra coffees and a leisurely breakfast instead of one coffee and a couple of packs of oatmeal and hitting the water
Sometimes age or injury is a sign to slow down and enjoy what's around you instead of challenging yourself to get to a faraway destination...
