And now for something completely different...
It's been a LONG time since my last post. And a whirlwind of emotions have swept through me. We spent the time after I wrote that post preparing for Alycia to head off to Iraq. We went down the checklists and bought everything that was suggested. Everything one could reasonably be expected to carry was included. We also bought things that I would send along separately, to meet her there when she arrived. We spent the time together as much as possible and prepared others in our lives for the inevitable departure. We also worked out a lot, to make sure Alycia would be physically prepared for the rigors of her deployment. That, as it turned out, would change everything.
Behind our house runs the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. It is property that was originally responsible for channeling drinking water from the Croton Reservoir upstate to New York City. It has since been replaced by a higher volume system, but the land is still owned and protected by New York City. It also happens to be a very long and level path that is frequented by runners, bikers and even horseback riders who enjoy the peace and solitude of the wooded nature trail.
We had used this trail a number of times, both running and biking, to keep in shape and to just relax. We had even estimated a one mile mark as a turning point for a timed two-mile run. On this day we decided to go for one of those two mile runs. Alycia usually keeps back a bit as she tends to be much better at pacing herself than I do. I usually get a faster start and suffer the consequences later.
We had only just stretched out and started our run when I realized that I didn't hear footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw Alycia off on the side, obviously in tremendous pain. I ran back and she told me that her right ankle popped and she couldn't put any weight on it. We were about a quarter mile from the start of the trail and there was no way that Alycia was going to walk or hop out that far. She was pale as a ghost and ready to pass out. Of course, I had also left my cell phone on the charger at home where it would serve no useful purpose!
Another runner came by and offered to get his car and meet us at the head of the trail. I carried Alycia out to the head and met him there and we drove down to my truck. We then headed over to the local community hospital. They took an X-ray, provided an air cast and a pair of crutches, and said it should be better in a few weeks.
Most people who have never had a sprain, or at least, not a bad sprain, do not understand how painful and debilitating a sprained ankle can be. Some people twist their ankle and think it's a sprain. That usually heals in a day or so. It turns out that there are a number of different degrees of ankle sprains that can be as mild as a slight stretching of the ligament to a complete tear of the ligament. The degree of sprain can sometimes be determined on examination based on degree of stability of the ankle joint. X-rays do not show ligaments and cannot determine the degree of ligament damage. What we also found out is that fractures do not necessarily show up immediately on X-rays either.
Our immediate concern was with Alycia's planned deployment. Within a week she was to begin mobilization and would be expected to carry heavy loads and to perform physical training exercises. Concerned, she called her unit to inform them of her injury and was soon told that she would be replaced and would not be deployed. Yet.
Being in the military, one learns to ignore rumors and not to believe anything until it actually happens. There had been rumors of deployment for months prior to actually receiving orders. Upon receiving orders, reality starts to set in and you mentally prepare. Now, with this injury comes a sense of limbo. When the injury heals, maybe you'll go, maybe you won't... It's hard to make long term plans. It's hard to know what to expect. How long will this take to heal?
Combined with state of limbo is a feeling of immense guilt. Alycia had been training with this group of soldiers for a long time. Now, she feels like she's letting them down by not going. This would be a feeling that I could not help to relieve. Only her fellow soldiers could help her to get past this.
Her fellow soldiers went off to training and Alycia stayed home, working her ankle as much as possible to get it better fast. But it wasn't getting better. She tried physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, NSAIDs, rest, stretching, strengthening. We went to two different doctors to try to figure out what was going on and they said that it would heal. They didn't even look at it! No follow-up X-rays, no MRI, no detailed physical exam. Nothing.
Following the advice of a close friend, Alycia decided to "fire" her doctors and take her care into her own hands. We went to see our primary care physician and explained what had happened. He agreed that a follow-up MRI was in order. He also suggested an ankle specialist in NYC. We're setting up an appointment to see him in the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile Alycia's fellow soldiers are in Iraq and we're trying to support them from here, as I had planned to do for Alycia when she was slated to go.
Paul
Behind our house runs the Old Croton Aqueduct Trail. It is property that was originally responsible for channeling drinking water from the Croton Reservoir upstate to New York City. It has since been replaced by a higher volume system, but the land is still owned and protected by New York City. It also happens to be a very long and level path that is frequented by runners, bikers and even horseback riders who enjoy the peace and solitude of the wooded nature trail.
We had used this trail a number of times, both running and biking, to keep in shape and to just relax. We had even estimated a one mile mark as a turning point for a timed two-mile run. On this day we decided to go for one of those two mile runs. Alycia usually keeps back a bit as she tends to be much better at pacing herself than I do. I usually get a faster start and suffer the consequences later.
We had only just stretched out and started our run when I realized that I didn't hear footsteps behind me. I turned around and saw Alycia off on the side, obviously in tremendous pain. I ran back and she told me that her right ankle popped and she couldn't put any weight on it. We were about a quarter mile from the start of the trail and there was no way that Alycia was going to walk or hop out that far. She was pale as a ghost and ready to pass out. Of course, I had also left my cell phone on the charger at home where it would serve no useful purpose!
Another runner came by and offered to get his car and meet us at the head of the trail. I carried Alycia out to the head and met him there and we drove down to my truck. We then headed over to the local community hospital. They took an X-ray, provided an air cast and a pair of crutches, and said it should be better in a few weeks.
Most people who have never had a sprain, or at least, not a bad sprain, do not understand how painful and debilitating a sprained ankle can be. Some people twist their ankle and think it's a sprain. That usually heals in a day or so. It turns out that there are a number of different degrees of ankle sprains that can be as mild as a slight stretching of the ligament to a complete tear of the ligament. The degree of sprain can sometimes be determined on examination based on degree of stability of the ankle joint. X-rays do not show ligaments and cannot determine the degree of ligament damage. What we also found out is that fractures do not necessarily show up immediately on X-rays either.
Our immediate concern was with Alycia's planned deployment. Within a week she was to begin mobilization and would be expected to carry heavy loads and to perform physical training exercises. Concerned, she called her unit to inform them of her injury and was soon told that she would be replaced and would not be deployed. Yet.
Being in the military, one learns to ignore rumors and not to believe anything until it actually happens. There had been rumors of deployment for months prior to actually receiving orders. Upon receiving orders, reality starts to set in and you mentally prepare. Now, with this injury comes a sense of limbo. When the injury heals, maybe you'll go, maybe you won't... It's hard to make long term plans. It's hard to know what to expect. How long will this take to heal?
Combined with state of limbo is a feeling of immense guilt. Alycia had been training with this group of soldiers for a long time. Now, she feels like she's letting them down by not going. This would be a feeling that I could not help to relieve. Only her fellow soldiers could help her to get past this.
Her fellow soldiers went off to training and Alycia stayed home, working her ankle as much as possible to get it better fast. But it wasn't getting better. She tried physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, NSAIDs, rest, stretching, strengthening. We went to two different doctors to try to figure out what was going on and they said that it would heal. They didn't even look at it! No follow-up X-rays, no MRI, no detailed physical exam. Nothing.
Following the advice of a close friend, Alycia decided to "fire" her doctors and take her care into her own hands. We went to see our primary care physician and explained what had happened. He agreed that a follow-up MRI was in order. He also suggested an ankle specialist in NYC. We're setting up an appointment to see him in the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile Alycia's fellow soldiers are in Iraq and we're trying to support them from here, as I had planned to do for Alycia when she was slated to go.
Paul
posted by Paul at 11:52 AM
0 comments
