Let me start off by saying that it was the suggestion of one of my doctors to start keeping a journal of my progress to help keep me in a positive state of mind. I am not posting this for pity or for attention, but to help myself (and maybe some others) deal with the months ahead. A big “thank you” to all of you who privately messaged me asking how I am doing. It’s much appreciated. The mountain biking community is an amazing thing and I appreciate the support and well wishes. I have already marked my calendar for the Trail Jam at Austin Badger next August as a “goal” to strive for. Also – a huge shoutout to my amazing wife who has been helping me deal with all of this. Without further ado – lets get to it.
Two weeks ago I got in a pretty bad accident at Austin Badger on my dirt jumper. I drove up to find out that it had rained the night before and it left the dirt surface of the dual slalom track slightly slick. I did a trial run and ended up taking a hard fall on my right side shortly after. I limped back to car and tried to shake it off. Ended up with a pretty awesome bruise on my hip, a few bruised ribs, and a slight concussion. This, however, was not the cause of my current injury.
A week later, I went out to a concert at the Summit County Fairgrounds with my lovely wife and the next morning in my grogginess (a second low-blood sugar episode, perhaps?), I jammed my shoulder into a wall, causing it to immediately go numb and limp. I tried to “hot shower” it off, but that left me with no relief and a slightly burned arm from not being able to feel the temperate of the water. We went about our day at my suggestion (and to the Haunted Garage Sale in Cleveland – which was amazing), but by the time we got home, my arm was still numb and I was unable to move it. Sunday I relaxed and iced it with nothing getting better.
Monday I went to the doctor, who suspected I might have pinched a nerve when I hit my shoulder and put me on a steroid due to the swelling in my arm. A few days later, my hand was able to move slightly, but it felt like it was on fire. The pain was immense now and I went to my Chiropractor Thursday, who thought I MIGHT have dislocated it and had it snap back into place, possibly pinching a nerve and tearing something in the process.
Friday morning I went back to the doctor, unable to move my arm and with my hand going from numb to pain in a cyclic, hellish fashion. They gave me a nerve test and took serveral x-rays. I spent the weekend trying to stay positive and going for walks to try and keep up and moving. Ashlea has been extremely supportive and patient, and Harper keeps kissing my arm because it is “hurt” and she wants to help. I am a lucky man. Sunday night the pain was unbearable and I couldn’t sleep. Fun times.
Monday morning I went back to the doctor and found out that the X-rays came back and there was no current dislocation and no broken bones in my arm. The nerve test, however, came back with some mixed results. The doctor said it was time for an MRI to determine if there is actual damage in my rotator cuff, or if it’s something neurological. Fun times. It does happen to be the rotator cuff I hurt in my motorcycle accident over 20 years ago. Coincidence? I think not. LOL.
Currently my MRI has been scheduled for Tuesday, and that will HOPEFULLY determine whether or not I need physical therapy or surgery. Both of these are better than any “neurological problem” that could be causing it. I am about 95% sure – now that the swelling went down from the Prednisone – that it’s a rotator cuff issue. The shoulder brace I have now is definitely helping put my lower arm to use by taking the pressure off my shoulder, and conveniently holds an icepack as well. A+.
I am still trying to stay positive and dreaming of having my arm back so I can properly hug my wife and kids, get things done around here that are on my “honey-do” list, play guitar, write my name, and ride the hell out of my mountain bike again… in no particular order. LOL.
I made so much progress on my free riding this year – so hopefully I will be back on the bike so I can keep pushing myself again sooner than later. It could be worse. As my wife would say, “nobody died.” 🙂
Stay tuned. I’ll have an update sometime this week.
Peace.
