ON THE MEND.

Its been 17 days now since the accident. I am healing as best as can be expected, and then maybe better than most. I returned to work Monday, part-time for 2 weeks, and while I have no outward signs of injury, I really don't know what everyone expected. I know they didn't expect to see me that soon, or up and walking. Maybe they thought I would need crutches? (Ouch! not with broken ribs!). A wheelchair? (I'm injured, not crippled.) And of course there are those who had to say, "See what happens when you try to be healthy? If you were sitting at home eating bon bons, this wouldn't have happened." (If I was sitting at home I would also look like you!) Yes, I have some limitations, but I am doing what I can because I can. I have triathlon to thank for strength in getting through this, physical strength that I suspect many women at my age would not have. Good enough physical condition that it has slowed me down, temporarily I would hope, but not stopped me.

Yesterday, I returned for a follow-up with the orthopedic doctor for more x-rays (ouch, more pain!) and some sort of prognosis. He noticed something new, a compression fracture in the middle of my back, between the shoulder blade area. That is what has bothered me the most, making it uncomfortable to sit most of the time, and which for a pain description is like having a knife in the middle of your back and trying to work around it to avoid any unnecessary pain. Can't be done. He did prescribe 800 ibuprofen for that, together with a pain medication, which I am using only Tylenol x-tra strength. Works as good as Vicadin, in my experience. And the two can be used together, something I didn't know before. The two together seem to keep me feeling good most of the time that I am home at least. The prognosis of course is "no biking" (Really? No bike anyway.) Swimming if I can tolerate it. (probaably not yet) No running for 4 weeks at least. (that's to be expected with my ribs and toe) Walking as tolerated up to as much as 45 min. (meaning to me of course 1 hour).

So at least maybe I can do Race for a Cure next week, walking at least. Better than nothing. I have been walking almost every day since getting home anyway, so at least it was good to get the okay. I continue to progress every day.