Healing from tib/fib surgery

[guineapiggie101 0]

Because of my insurance. I had to change docs to someone that was within my network. So I went to see the new doc today and got x-rays taken. I had the staples taken out on Monday. From the x-rays, u could tell that it was a pretty severe break, but he fixed it up good with a plate on both the tib and fib.

I don't have to have a cast put on (yay), but I can't put ANY weight on the leg for 6 weeks (when my next appt is). After it heals I will need some PT to get my full range of motion back. It's looking good.

I still havent decided if I am going to go on and get my license or give it up. That is a hard decision. I do miss being at the DZ and being in the sky.

[Trafficdiver 8]

When you're old and looking back on life, are you going to say "Thank God I quit skydiving" ? Of course not!

Get better and get back on that horse. You've already gotten past so much. This is just another obstacle to overcome.

[shah269 0]

I'm told if they "rod" your bone the recovery takes time. And well if they take the rod out...you have to recover all over again!

The plates are better from what I'm told, but my bones were in three pieces so they had to "rod" me. But yeah, I remember being in the hospital and thinking....is it worth it? And when I got out I actually told my X wife that if she was worried I would stop.

Well she's an X now and I still skydive.

Will I ever stop? No. I don't think so. It's the only peace I can find now.

Am I scared of getting hurt? Yes. Every jump 10ft from the ground feet together and I worry that I may not be able to walk away.

Is it all worth it? I don't know.
For me? Maybe? From the moment of the divorce to the moment I stepped off that king air at 13k ft I had not so much cracked a smile. I was a raw nerve. I had a few dozen emotional break downs. I was not eating. I was not sleeping. I was just existing one breath at a time. Yet, when my feet were free my bones felt light and half way into my free fall I smiled. My buddy Sim did my check dive and you can see in the video exactly when I start to smile again.

Will you recover? Yes. Will that recovery hurt? Yes it may. Will you walk again? Yes. Will you be able to run as if nothing ever happened to you? I don't know. I'm still working on that. But I can walk without a limp and I still rock climb. I haven't tried skiing yet. That's next year. Will the leg hurt every now and again for no reason? Yeah.
Will you ever find yourself in the big blue ever again?
That for you to decide. You may come back or you may never come back.
Either way you did something others only dream about. You flew your body. And you should always be proud of that.

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!

[ghost47 18]

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I still havent decided if I am going to go on and get my license or give it up. That is a hard decision. I do miss being at the DZ and being in the sky.

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When you're old and looking back on life, are you going to say "Thank God I quit skydiving" ? Of course not!
Get better and get back on that horse. You've already gotten past so much. This is just another obstacle to overcome.

Though this is the Bonfire, I'm going to give a slightly different response:

This is YOUR decision, guineapiggie, and yours alone. Do not let anyone pressure you into going back, with the siren call of how close you may have been to getting a license, or how much you've accomplished. Both things are true, but it's also true that your next jump may kill or maim you.

I was out over six months because of an injury to my spine. I chose to return. And I'm glad I did. But I realize, now more than ever, how one little thing can leave a person dead, paralyzed, brain damaged, or a host of other things.

Obviously I think the risk is worth it, because I still jump. But that's a decision you need to make for yourself, eyes wide open.

Which it sounds like you are. But you'll probably get (and have already gotten) a lot of cheerleading to get back into the air. Ignore them. Make your own decision based on a rational assessment of your experiences, your own abilities, and the joy you get from being in the air.

Good luck!

[skybytch 273]

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I still havent decided if I am going to go on and get my license or give it up.

Luckily that's not a decision you have to make right now. Include an orthopedic surgeon's advice in your decision making process, preferably one who is familiar with your break.

Whatever you do, don't rush it. A "rule of thumb" that I've heard is don't jump until you can run at least a few steps without pain.