It is not how hard you fall, it’s how you get back up. I have been there 2x since I started this odyssey. Several readers have shared their consequences of miscalculations. To everyone I wish successful recovery from the sudden stop and the courage and dedication to recovery and an active life. I have come to treat me on my bike as I would a loaded firearm except there is no behind the gun. My injuries have been the result of brain farts where I diss the situation as easy or thinking of how good that moonshine will taste. Heal up y’all.
Which connects to my recovery. The PT treating me says that i have range of motion but lack of strength which might be attributable to lack of sufficient tendon to reattatch to the bone. And that is what it will be. My damage left the skilled surgeon w/ shards of tendon to stitch together then the joined parts anchored to the bone. Lifting weight above my shoulder is discomforting and after horsing me and my bike around on Sedona trails I am feeling discomfort. What I do and the enjoyment I receive from activity outweigh what comes later. Moonshine and other medicine help me think of other things. It is what it is.
Two days ago I was examined by a dentist to determine my jaw pain. He said that my jaw resides too far back in the jaw socket which causes problems like sleep apnea, etc. Today i return to be fitted w/ a muscle training appliance to reposition my jaw. I remember a character on the Barth Gumble late night show that had a lantern jaw that required a head piece and an attached dribble cup. Funny how memories pop up.
Still riding the chunk here. I am still on the blue square trails. My confidence is rather rusty.
Next week is 6 months post surgery.
My van has Michelin tires, an MS model. I received a recall notice on a pair of the MS tires. The replacements were the new improved model, MS2. Previously a pair were on the front wheels and the van handling went south: the van rolled from side to side diminishing the handling. I found another pair of MS that I swapped for the MS2 and the handling returned to driving a Sprinter. The recall replacement tires were the MS2. This time they were put on the back. Same performance problem. I was told the tires were straight across replacements. Finally after my diligence I was connected to a Michelin higher up who told me the tread pattern was different and that they would not play well w/ the MS. Shit. To restore the handling I would either have to buy a set of MS2s or buy someone elses’ tires Michelin gave me 30% off the new tire price for tires that had 52% wear left. I got shorted because of their problem. I will appeal the settlement after I score more cell phone minutes consumed by being on hold.
Sedona weather continues to be short sleeves and shorts. The sun is tanning my skin. At night the temp is chilly enough to burn the heater on low.
I am starting a “Manure Free Trail” campaign which will require horse riders to remove their horse’s droppings from the trail. Many public lands require dog owners to pick up poop. Recreating on horse manure will be a stinky thing of the past. Horse riders it is time for you to respect those of us stepping on the product of your self centered recreation.
Gonzaga won the regular season conference championship then won the tournament last night. they will receive an automatic invite to the NCAA big dance, Coach Few’s 16th straight appearance. Go Zags. Terry, evaluate their play and success in the Dance.