Finally, I'm Free!

Hi December Friends I saw my orthopedist today, and he said that I am well healed and can go back to riding horses tomorrow! This has been a long, miserable summer for me. I broke the arm in June, had surgery to fix it in mid-July, and was off work rehabbing until last week. I am so thrilled to be able to get back to my passion, I can hardly stand to wait until tomorrow after work. Oh, and no, I will not be riding the horse I was riding when I broke the arm. I still haven't sold her, but I do have a new horse that I will be buying if we suit each other when I start riding her later this week. But for tomorrow, I'm riding an old school horse that they use for beginners. He's a very patient soul that is used to being kicked and yanked on and having people hanging off of his side, and just keeps doing his job without any fuss. Basically a horse that will build up my confidence again before I start riding the beautiful, well behaved mare they have found for me. I wouldn't want my nerves at riding again to influence how I start off with this new girl, so the poor school horse gets the job. I am very greatful to have healed so well, and quickly. I'm sure that no longer being obese has helped in that process. I don't think my body could have tolerated the 6+ hours of surgery that was required to repair the fracture at the weight I was last year at this time. I shudder to think what would have happened to my arm if I hadn't had the bypass in December and had this non-healing fracture. I realize that I am very fortunate to be alive and whole once again. Thank you all for bearing with me this summer! Deb

Sounds like you have been through quite an ordeal. Glad to hear that you are on the mend. Good luck and be safe riding.

Hey Deb, I'm proud of you for "getting back on the horse"! Just be careful and get rid of those little jitters before you try a different horse. I'm glad that you are all healed up! Enjoy your ride! Jill

Al RIght Deb!!!! Here's an idea: Get an English Shire and a suit of armour. Then if you fall, nothing will be broken. Nona

I have thought a lot about how hard it would be to ride again. You must love it with all your heart to be brave enough to do it again. Horses are so beautiful. I am happy you are recovered. Does it still hurt? Pillows tied around everywhere sounds like a softer landing then armour. =P Allison

As nervous as I am about riding again, it has been far harder for me to NOT ride for three months than it is to get back on today. I'll admit it, I'm a horse-aholic. I have no pain in the arm, and just occasional twinges in the hip (where they took the bone graft.) My physical therapist did a wonderful job of getting the range of motion back in the elbow and shoulder, so my only concern with the arm is the lack of muscle strength. I started working on that this morning, and it didn't feel as bad as I thought it would. Personally, I've been thinking of covering my saddle with velcro... but then I have images of me on the ground with no pants.

Enjoy your ride! I think you are making a wise decision to ease into it! Old school horse is better than NOTHING at all! I find it amazing that I can get out of bed and walk downstairs in the morning and my joints don't pop/crack or hurt anymore! Amazing what -85 lbs can do....will be even better when it is -110 lbs! We just don't realize what we were putting our bodies thru because the weight just crept up on us gradually...IF we were to wake up and suddenly be 100+ lbs overweight I think we would feel the full impact. Glad you have healed up wonderfully! Take your time--that arm will get stronger. It took me several months to feel normal after my break 5 yrs ago. I still look at my arm now and think it doesn't belong on my body--doesn't look the same as it did before the dbl fracture.

That's so awesome! I am so glad your getting back to your passion. . Let us know how things go and take care of yourself. Di~