NO surgery, NO cast, NO weight-bearing

I named this blog “bent on the road” 1) to write about people, places and other stuff associated with riding our recumbent bikes on the road; 2) to remember to be bent (read: attentive) on the journey, not just the destination; and 3) to record the bent-up parts of the journey when things don’t always go the way we plan.  The current events definitely fall in the third category as my eyes still tug at burried tears from time to time.

We drove home from Colorado Springs yesterday (Monday).  I’ve driven this route many times, but yesterday’s ride seemed the slowest of all.  I sat in the second row of captain’s chairs in our minivan with my splinted right leg sometimes resting on the armrest of the front passenger seat, while at other times I sat sideways with the leg on the chair beside me.  Getting out of the van to use public restrooms was a bit of a challenge as I’m still honing my crutch-walking skills.  At one restroom, a young lady entered the facility just before me and chose the handicapped stall when the other stall was available.  I waited because I knew I needed to use those support handles on the wall if I didn’t want to risk falling.  When she opened the door and saw me and my crutches she said, “Oh, my gosh.  I’m so sorry.”  I said, “It’s okay,” knowing full well that I’ve probably done the same thing in the past—unnecessarily claiming the big stall.  At another restroom, a woman was particularly helpful in opening and holding the door of the stall and the outer door for me.  This broken leg gives me a new perspective on daily activities, attitudes and people.

While en route yesterday I called the Orange City Health System to arrange an appointment for today.  It was good to be greeted by familiar faces and facilities.  The most painful part of the visit was when they removed the sticking (non-stick) Telfa pads from theroad-rash under the ace bandage of the splint.  They re-did the x-rays of my ankle and leg and compared them with Saturday’s x-rays.  The ankle still showed no breaks (yeah!) and the break in my fibula seemed to be lined up better than on Saturday (yeah! yeah!).  My doctor was able to consult with the orthopedic surgeon who was in town for a satellite clinic today.  In a nutshell, they said, no surgery, no cast, no weight-bearing.  They’re keeping me in the splint and after three weeks if there is no pain  I can start using it and maybe begin riding again!  I am allowed to unwrap the splint to check the road-rash and to flex my ankle a bit each day.  I have a follow-up appointment next Thursday.  Thank you to Dr. Kamstra, Joyce, and Kari Broadway for your attentiveness and care this morning!

Many times during the day yesterday and today, I find myself thinking of what must be going on at the Sea to Sea camp, where they are biking, etc.  I pray that all is going well and that there are no more ER visits!  Being here in Orange City and away from Sea to Sea is a bit surreal. 

I actually had to decide what to eat for lunch today.  I’ve grown used to packing the same food in my bike bag each day and pulling out a few bites every hour or so.  Even though I had the luxury of going to my closet this morning, I easily chose to wear one of the three camp shirts I had with me on Sea to Sea.  This minimalistic lifestyle of the tour has grown on me quite easily.   I confess, however, that I enjoy not having to walk 200 yards for the bathroom.

I hope to use the next few days prepping for my classes this fall.  I had planned on doing this on the road (since I didn’t get it done before leaving on June 21), but I may as well do it now!  Rudy also has a few days to get things ready for his substitute teacher before he returns to Sea to Sea this weekend.  I hope to join up a week later after my follow-up doctor’s appointment, but we’ll take things a day at a time and remain flexible. 

Thanks for all your prayers and well-wishes!  God is with us, no matter where we are, what Kingdom-work we are doing, or how bright or dark the day.  “Not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven.”  ~Heidelberg Catechism Q & A 1.

Blessings, my friends,

Shirley