Out of action for awhile

[.]

It looks like I'm going to be going on an enforced vacation from riding for the next month. About a month ago I tore the AC Joint that holds my right collarbone and right shoulder joint together and was told today that the doc wants to put me back together this Thursday (June 6) which will result in my being in a sling for a month and some fairly strenuous rehab for the next couple of months after that. It appears I did it up right. The good news, however, is that I have pretty well forgotten all about my arthritic left hand but the bad news is the ACE and the Valkyrie are going to have to sit idle for at least a month (hopefully no longer than that-and maybe I can sneak a ride in by slipping the sling for an hour or so on occasion  ).


I know it needs to be fixed but dang it, it seems like this could have happened in December and been a lot more convenient. In the future I will have to be more careful how I schedule falling on my butt when I feel an attack of the raving clumsies coming on.


To all of my friends north of the Mason-Dixon Line, I promise next winter I'll say and do NOTHING to make any of you miss your riding time any more than you already do during that time. And to all my friends south of the Mason-Dixon Line-Karma is a hard mistress and takes no prisoners.


Happy riding all. Between now and Thursday I plan to put on at least a thousand miles on the Valk and at least install a new starter switch on the ACE. Then it's drain the carbs and off to the doc.   

[Xtracho]

Attitude is everything with something like that my friend. Seems like you've got a head start on that. Good luck with the surgery and best wishes for a full, complete recovery.

[Chrisj CMA]

I feel your pain 

[old2soon]

Well I WUZ gonna look you up as I ain't that far from the"Rock".  Let us know when you get better and are able to throw a leg over again.  And like I mentioned to Carl-listen to the medical types.  I KNOW it ain't fun but it will get you back in the wind quicker.  WHEN you can-RIDE SAFE.

[czuch]

Gee Whizzz, and you just got the hang of the Valk too. What, 4 months or so?
Get better quick,,,the quicker the better.

[saddlesore]

It's your choice.  Wait until November.
I may need the same surgery myself and I need a new hip.  I plan on waiting for winter to  do that.
I just don't know what year.
Heal up quick.

[Robert]

Sorry to hear about it, personally if I could I would wait.

[RainMaker]

Get better soon and stay off the bike until your doc gives you clearance.  My wife has the same family doctor and they talk, so if I try go go against Dr's orders, I got two women giving me heck.  Just better to go with the flow.

[Curley Wolf]

Best wishes from LA ("Lower Arkansas"); down here in El Dorado.  May you heal up and recover quickly.

[.]

Thanks for the good wishes everybody. Honestly, I considered waiting but the doc tells me there is already a fairly significant amount of internal scar tissue building up (the lump over my shoulder-which is the end of my collarbone now free, unattached, and looking for a girlfriend-has doubled in size in the past three weeks) and I can feel my shoulder getting stiffer by the day so he's recommending we get it done and over with.

On a positive note, I did repair the starter switch on my ACE last night and it works like a charm so when I do get mobile again, if necessary, I can start out on the much lighter ACE and then work my way back into the Valk. In the meantime, once this latest bout of severe weather clears out tonight, I'll have four full days of riding weather until I go under the knife, so until then, if you need me, I'll be riding. 

[MacDragon]

good for you Dale.  Glad ya got the Ace starter button working right again.  Hope you heal fast. 

[Xtracho]

From which side of the fence are you going to dismount? 

[donaldcc]

  I also had Grade 3 AC separation a number of years ago and elected to proceed without surgery and it healed up with a bump there and scar tissue holding it together.  Non dominant arm.  Doesn't bother me much at all now.  One month is nothing in healing process and surgery is always an option down the road.  For me, surgery was the last option.  

you are going to have arthritis in that joint regardless of what option you choose, but I would wait a few months to see how you heal (and you do not have to go on the injured reserve list with regards to riding your bike).  Good luck with whatever option you decide is best.  

http://thesteadmanclinic.com/shoulder_acseperation/overview.asp

[Liberty Bell]

Don't feel like the lone ranger!
On the 13th I'm getting my right knee rebuilt.

[.]

From which side of the fence are you going to dismount? 

The left side, of course. 

[.]

Well, I guess I lied. Actually, I changed my mind. While doing some extensive reading on this type of injury over the weekend and considering my own level of discomfort (currently far lower than even a week ago and getting less all the time) I called the doc to cancel the surgery and have my shoulder re-evaluated in three months. Apparently, there is no downside to doing so and I may even be able to avoid surgery altogether, which suits me fine. I already know I've got at least one surgery in the works for my left hand so the chance of escaping one session under the knife is a bonus. We'll see how it goes. 


What I have is classified as an unstable level three AC Joint separation (or something like that) which is the minimum level of injury for which surgery is indicated. But scar tissue buildup is taking care of the instability and at my age, this type of injury is pretty well a guarantee of an arthritic shoulder joint whether I have surgery or not. Three weeks ago I couldn't even lift a beer with my right hand but with grit, courage, unbelievable fortitude, and a steady regimen of 12 ounce curls (with the occasional pint tossed in to hasten the progress) I can carry a whole six-pack all the way from the grocery store to the car.

[donaldcc]

  I think that is a wise decision.  No rush for surgery, and a couple more months of nice scar tissue there and it will be as stable as if you had a big metal screw stuck in there.  Plus you can now still ride your bike without a timeout. 

[Hooter]

   Thats what I have, a bump and a good ol screw...(in my shoulder your hogs)