Recovery on the Horizon
I saw Dr. Kowalsky on Monday. He took x-rays and showed me the fracture is healed. He said there are no limits to what activities I can do now. It's all about what it comfortable for me. He said I can even ride. I'm going to try it this weekend We will see how it goes. I know I'm going to be afraid of falling again and undoing all my progress. All Riddle did was trip to cause all this. She could easily trip again and it would be all over. Still, I can't imagine not riding. I need to get a new helmet. Since I hit my head in the fall, my helmet may have been damaged, so it might not be safe to keep it. Kevin wants me to have a protective vest too. I think that's overdoing it. Those vests are to keep you from being impaled when riding cross-country. One won't stop me from breaking my collarbone again. Anyway, I told him to buy me the helmet as an early birthday present.
I still have pain when I move my arm in certain ways. My therapist said that's natural. My muscles are still building up. That's another reason why I don't think I can ride for very long. I'm sure my shoulder will hurt pretty quickly. I don't think a lesson with Tara is in the cards any time soon.
My blogging friends are all talking about swimming and it's making me want to join them all. Mom's pool opened Memorial Day. In the past it would open Memorial Day and then would only be open at specific times on weekends, and wouldn't be open every day until the Fourth of July. This year it opened Memorial Day weekend and it's open every day from 10-8. I am dying to get back in the pool again. I'm not sure if I can handle much swimming, but I'm happy to try. Lately it either hasn't been good swimming weather or I don't have the time.
I have to make sure I use plenty of sunscreen. If my scar is exposed to too much sun, it will turn permanently purple. Sunscreen for the pool is fine. It's easy and quick to get out of the pool to reapply. I bought a rash guard for vacation because I know when I'm at the beach with my boogie board, I am never as conscientious about leaving the water and reapplying sunscreen as I should be. I spent a bit of extra money for one from Sharkskin that supposedly dries quickly and doesn't soak up water easily, so I don't have that nasty, heavy clammy wet rash guard feeling I hate so much.
This weekend I will emcee the dance recital and then dance class is one less activity I have happening for now. Tonight is my last class of the year. Linda usually pays me to emcee, so I will appreciate the cash infusion. Maybe I will have time to get the pool in the afternoon before dinner if it's hot and sunny out.
I hope everything stays steady with healing. Dr. Kowalsky said if my shoulder pain hasn't reduced significantly in six weeks I should come back and have an MRI. It's possible I tore something. My PT doesn't think that's the case, and I hope he's right. I don't want more medical expenses. I also will have to put treating my back pain on hold indefinitely. I had some PT for that and I know what exercises I can do to manage it. I will have to stick with doing those exercises and treating my back myself. I was telling Dr. Kowalsky that the area around the plate is still very tender. He said I can have it removed after a few months. That idea of removing it appeals to me, but again, I don't want the medical expense.