dove 0 #1 February 9, 2002 Wow. This has been the first reallly tough day for me. I have maintained a realy positive attitude, and I still am positive, but I just got a call from a friend who was on a 20 minute call for the sunset load. I could hear all the excitement and typical dz antics in the background and tears welled up in my eyes. I miss skydiving, the feel of the wind on my face and body, the joy of flying around the sky, the bliss of being under canopy, the comraderie of the best friends in the world. And unfortunately I am alone this weekend, a gorgeous weekend with beautiful clouds and temps in the mid 70s. So I am feeling very melancholy. On a more positive note, I get sliced open on Monday! Finally, I can start the healing process! Today is the first time since I broke my tibia that I can just barely see the edge of my knee cap. The swelling was that bad! Looked like I had planted tulip bulbs in there! Unfortunately with the swelling going down, the bone pieces have more leeway to scrape against each other so it's been excruciating. But I am thrilled to be on my way (or almost on my way) to FULL recovery! So if you think about it this Monday at 11am eastern time, say a little prayer for the dove's knee. I know - you are thinking "I didn't know doves had knees!" but this dove does! Thank you everyone for your support and I hope you are all enjoying your sunset wherever you are - on the ground or in the sky.Love,dove Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #2 February 9, 2002 Hope you get back to the sky soon !! my mind is like a canopy - 9 cells and I'm happy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #3 February 9, 2002 Good luck dove! The next few days will be tough, but know that we're all thinking about you and sending good vibes your way. pull and flare,lisa--What would Scooby Doo? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LittleJumper 0 #4 February 9, 2002 Good luck Dove. It was YOU who was scheduled to work the Olympics this year in Utah! I was sooo looking forward to meeting you. But you need to heal...and I'm very sorry about your accident. Saw your pic!! You're one awesome lady!!Take care, and I will pray that you can return to the skies soon!!!TerriWhat you "think" you cannot do ...you CAN if you "think" about it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nws01 0 #5 February 10, 2002 Dove,Keep your spirits high. This is only a temporary setback and you will be in the air again before you know it. Utilize this time to really think about your "life to date" and understand that you are free and doing what you want to do so for you life is just the way you want it. We have had discussions in the past and I know what you want out of life and you will accomplish your dreams. Do not let your family make you stop skydiving "I know they tried before and that did not work so I know it will not happen again". You are a Beautiful intelligent woman and you will make your dreams come true.I will not be in Florida anymore...moving to Virginia but keep in touch via e-mail, im, and dz.com. Let me know when you are jumping again and I will try to make it for the return jump!-Nathan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zennie 0 #6 February 10, 2002 Wishing you a successful surgery and a speedy recovery! "Zero Tolerance: the politically correct term for zero thought, zero common sense." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #7 February 10, 2002 Good luck, speedy recovery, and enjoy all the good drugs that you'll get Political Correctness - At least one person at any one time will be offended by something Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #8 February 10, 2002 Good luck with the surgery and recovery, Dove!Just one word of caution (and those of you who've had ortho procedures before can back me up)...careful of the physical therapists! You think that skydivers have a wierd sense of humor...just wait until the P.T. makes you move your leg and get up and walk the day after surgery! ;^)No...really...we have a few rules of our own (yeah, I'm a P.T. :^)1) Never tell us that it hurts...we'll push you more! We LIKE pain!2) Never tell us it's easy...we'll push you more...add weights...or make you walk farther!3) Never tell us that you don't know what rep you're on, we'll make you start over at #1 !4) And the rest you'll have to find out on your own ;^).No....really...we're very nice people who LOVE our work and want you to get better. You'll want to scratch our eyes out sometime, but hey...what the heck...we -know- you're motivated and want you back in the air asap too!Grins friend,ltdiverPS PM me if you have any questions. We're all pulling for you!__________________________________________http://www.discover.net/~ltdiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freefallfreak 0 #9 February 10, 2002 Dove,Good luck with the surgery. From one who has been there way too many times, I can tell you, it may seem rough recuperating but I have confidence in you. You will do well and will be back sooner than you think..Love and prayers to you, always...TripleFBOOBIES, BOOBIES, BOOBIES, BOOBIES...(Whoops, I said it again...Tee-hee...) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dove 0 #10 February 10, 2002 Lori - thanks so much! Your post was really helpful. I have been told I will have to get up and walk on it the next day by others but my doc hasn't said anything to me about that. I want to even though it will hurt like hell cause it is weird not having used my left leg for 2 weeks! But I was wondering if they will want me to since my tibia is not only shattered it is depressed on one side. Isn't there a danger of re-compressing that bone? Maybe I will just have to move it and not put weight on it? I know I should be asking my doctor this but I ask him a million questions and the second I leave I remember a million more I forgot to ask! Anyhow - thanks for the info. And I will be good to my PT - I really want to get back soon. I want to "wow" the doctors! Nathan - I will be heading north a couple of times this summer. We will have to get together at Orange - you will love it there. Have a safe trip and congratulations on your new job! I'll keep you posted on how all the silly ducks and palm trees are doing. We'll miss you!!!!!doveP.S. 25.5 hours til slice-time.... and counting! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
airann 1 #11 February 10, 2002 Dove - I was in Orthopedics for a really long time. Things get better. But before they do there is a healing process and that is always too long and always less than comfortable. But your mind is your most powerful drug. Then again, drugs are dangerous. Your mind may have you trying to jump in a cast...(no names please- Ann) Your mind may say that -too soon -I can surely chase my dog down the street, the little bastard- and then you are back on the couch watching relatives on Jerry Springer..... My key to speedy recovery and I have seen this one a million times by skydivers, dont do stuff too soon. Dont try to be -all that-. If you dont do what the Dr. says you will be my age someday having the aches and pains every time it rains.Also, after your deal is all stitched up and PT has started. Ask your doctor to point out every thing on the xrays and compare them to the previous xrays (he has your xray jacket with him and all your films are there) If you are squared away on the facts of your body and how quickly it heals and what it needs to do next - then you will know a good hurt from a bad hurt. Also, you will know how much more time you need to chill till the calcification process is complete. Be sure to go thru every little thing with your Ortho. He likely takes care of other professional athletes, so he is used to it. -and its very important to be clear on things you can do with your damaged leg until its fully recovered. And he will appreciate your interest, know you are serious about your sport, and direct you toward a faster healing process. Then you get a brace and fly.During my years at a particular Ortho practice, I met tons of famous and not so famous athletes, pro basketball, hockey etc. They all were concerned with the time period. The doctors worked hard to be sure that they "rebounded" ASAP. And every single one, even if they had to fly back to see this particular doctor, wanted to know if it was ok for them to play now. They didnt want to talk to any doctor but him. The main thing is that if they started back too soon then their careers would be shortened in the long run. Some of these pros couldnt even read... but they knew this... if they wanted to continue to play they had to do the right thing recovery wise. So they are not stupid.http://www.AirAnn.comUgly Girl #6 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveMonkey 0 #12 February 10, 2002 One good thing is that you'll be saving money by not jumping, so when you get back you can jump as long as you like !! You shouldn't put a knife in the toaster - but you're an adult now !!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DENGOPHER 0 #13 February 10, 2002 hi dove keep the positive attitude ... i will say that prayer for you good luck and get well soon!!!!!!just jump!!!!!gopher Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ltdiver 3 #14 February 10, 2002 Glad to be of service, Dove!Good questions, too.Let's see...I tell my patients to write down their questions -before- talking to the doc. That way they get all their questions answered and don't suffer through 'delayed intellegence' like everybody does (when they leave the doc and then remember the most important questions -after- the fact). So, get a pen and paper out. The docs are -very- busy but most like to keep their victims (ah..patients) informed. As for 'walking' after surgery...you most likely will be NWB (non-weight bearing) for quite some time. Injuries near joints (like the knee) can be some of the most difficult to rehab from. Mid-shaft fractures are -so- much 'easier'. Sorry. Get out the weights are start exercising those triceps! They'll need it! Crutches will be your friend for awhile ;^).As for drugs (the legal kind)...TAKE THEM! Why be in pain when you don't have to be. It is only temporary but they help ALOT! I agree with Ann, though. Don't get back up in the air too soon. I'll PM you a story about someone who did and it wasn't pretty.Anyway...good luck with the sx and keep us posted on your rx.Blues,ltdiver__________________________________________http://www.discover.net/~ltdiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SpeedRacer 1 #15 February 10, 2002 one of the great things about skydiving is the people. I remember seeing people on crutches at my DZ. Of course, they weren't jumping, they had just come to hang out with their buddies there & drink a beer with them afterwards. So don't be afraid to hang out at the DZ just because you can't jump.Speed Racer"Fill your hand, you son-of-a-bitch!" Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
