I'm In

So, it turns out I don't have a hernia. The pain in my groin that I am feeling is some sort of soft tissue damage in my lower abdomen. What this means is, although I'll feel a bit of discomfort there is no harm in going on the canyon trip. The past few days have been kind of a roller coaster of emotions. At one point I was pretty sure I wasn't going. I stupidly tried to go snowshoeing, and put myself in a lot of pain for 36 hours. However, after the kind surgeon's diagnosis I'm going.

I have stuffed everything I need into a HUGE Watershed Dry Bag, selected just the right kayak, and I am on my way.

See you in a month...

Down But Not Out

An absolutely miserable and violent stomach virus last Friday left me with a lingering pain in my lower abdomen. Yesterday afternoon my suspicions were confirmed when my doctor diagnosed me with a small inguinal hernia. This poses a few particular problems:





















This what my physical activity has been reduced to...for now


1) I am fanatic about physical activity. It is very seldom that a day goes by where I do not experience at least an hour of physical activity. For the moment my activity is going to be significantly limited. I've been given the ok to ride a bike and walk. To me, that sounds like a prison sentence. I feel a little like a caged animal, but I am committed to not making a bad situation worse.





2) The skiing is excellent right now. As I write this, Adrienne, Bill, and Brady are on the way to Avalanche Pass to ascend the trapdike, and ski down the southeast slide off the top of Mt. Colden. It is absolutely killing me that I can't particiapte.





3) I leave for the Grand Canyon next Sunday: This is probably the one thing that is worrying me most right now. No one is telling me I shouldn't go, but there are concerns. What if it gets worse? What if I can't paddle a kayak? What if I am in pain for the duration of our 25 day trip? I guess, all questions will be answered in time. Regradless of all trepidation...I AM GOING!!





I have more questions than answers right now. I've never really been injured like this before. I keep telling myself that it could be worse, but nonetheless...IT SUCKS

Settling into winter

Since the last time I posted we've really been settling into winter. Today is Saturday, which means it wood stacking day (we've really got a routine going here) Unfortunately the weather has been anything but settled. It snowed a bunch early in December, but the rain came down hard right around christmas, leaving us with few options to escape the hoards of wonderful people that support our community this time of year. There was a lot of marginal skiing at whiteface, partying on new years (but not for me, I was in bed before 11), a couple of fantastic trips to Avalanche Pass, and one sketchy skiing misadventure for Bill and I.

It's a brand new year now. 2008 kicked butt. Looking back, it's hard to believe I fit all that good stuff into just one year. 2009 is already off to a good start. I'll be on the Grand Canyon before the end of January.