Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Break a leg


I broke my leg at Mt. Snow. I stabbed dabbed around a corner and knew it was broke right away. Sorry for the people who had to sit with me until medical came. I was crying and grovelling in the dirt. I was in a lot of pain and could not believe how bad a broken leg could hurt. The X rays showed a spiral fracture of the fibula and a crushed tibia. I got surgery in Bennington Hospital to put in the 9mm titanium rod that goes from my patellar tendon down to my ankle. Then there is a plate and screws for the tibia. I guess its a common skiing accident, but mine is much lower on the leg. The 10 hour drive back to Harrisonburg was brutal and the last couple of days have been miserable. Today, is the first day I feel a little better. Two weeks on the couch doing nothing and then to the doctors to see how it is healing up.

My first broken bone at my last race. It is not exactly how I wanted to go out. But right now I feel lucky that I don't have to play in the silly circus anymore.

Thanks to everyone who called or emailed their speedy recovery wishes. It really means a lot to me. It feels good to know that people care about me when I'm down and out.

30 comments:

  1. bummed to read the news, heal up qwik! 10+ weeks to be ready for the Gnarly North in Oct?

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  2. I'm sorry to hear that you broke your leg, we've been thinking about ya down here in SVA. Heal up quick. Make your way to Baja and I'll buy you and Tim a beer.

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  3. Wow Sue,
    what a way to go,
    so sorry to hear this,
    hope to see your smile in Sept.

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  4. thats crazy. I was mt snow in the feedzone for your race / I also met you at old pueblo, you won 1st place 5person coed - my team was 5th. stay tough / hope you heal up as quick as possible.

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  5. So sorry to hear about your injury. At least it was not your first pro race, right? Who knows where you would be now if that were the case.

    Right now, it is you and Ruby living the retired life on the couch! You need cable...

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  6. Sue,
    I could have cried when I saw it was you down. I know you will heal up right quick, though! Hopefully we will see you at the Rattlesnake.
    Take care,
    BETSY SHOGREN

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  7. Hang in there Sue, every cyclist in the DC area sends positive energy your way. Try to think positive and you'll heal faster.

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  8. what a bummer. i'm so sorry this happened. you'll heal fast. wishing you a speedy recovery.

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  9. Now that's going out with a bang, or perhaps more of a soft crackling..... OUCH Sue - not what I care to read about - glad you're recovering. Hey, CONGRATS on your amazing pro career and I'm really looking forward to seeing what you get up to next (and keen to participate at some point). Loads 'o aloha, catch you in HI or AZ... or who knows where else!

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  10. suze, we care about you whether you are "up and in" or "down and out"!

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  11. If distance can some how help. Let me tell you that someone I the other side of the Atlantic ocean, has sent you a good vibe to you,from Portugal.

    Joao

    http://asminhaspedaladas.blogspot.com/

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  12. I've known you since the Moab 24 hour races way back when... Who is that chic riding solo doing just as many laps as our 4 men sports team? Sorry to hear about your ankle. Wishing you a fast recovery so that you can celebrate your retirement! And lots of cool and fun rides in future!

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  13. Zeke and I were dumbfounded when we read what happened on VeloNews. Zeke was like, "Not my Sue!" Many speedy recovery prayers have been sent from Georgia and Tennessee. Hopefully your doctors understand your passion and will have you back on your bike soon ... even if it is just the trainer.

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  14. Sue - you are my 5 and half year old daughter's mountain bike hero.

    Of all the nasty injuries that one could endure over such a long and brilliant cycling career - this one is a tough retirement prize - leave it to you to get the Ti rod instead of the Au watch!.

    Hang in there, heal up strong and good luck with the next phase of your life - we know it will be awesome!

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  15. Sucked to hear the news, I know you'll bounce back quick! I'm a believer in whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Congrats on an awesome career. It's hard to think about it now but we'll be talking about this in 20 yrs when we're all surfing and hanging out on the beach in Hawaii. Get well soon!!!!

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  16. Sucked to hear the news about your leg, I know you'll bounce back quick. I'm a big believer in whatever doesn't kill you will make you stronger. Get well soon so you can start your pro surfing career!

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  17. Damn Sue. I'm so sorry to hear. Take care of yourself and work and do all those things you can't do when you are racing....like I don't know...there's gotta be something..

    kristy scheff

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  18. That really sucks. Maybe Lorena and I will have to bring you the unicorn wheel to help see you through your recovery? Oh, and I'll bring you your favorite book to help the time fly ..."Moral Consequences of Economic Growth".

    Really though, wishing you a speedy recovery and best of luck with the next chapter of your life!!! Maybe back to Kenya?!

    ...sorry this got so long

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  19. sue- I've always admired the way you race and carried yourself- from the 24 hrs of Canaan through the athens olympics struggle, to kicking butt at the SM100, and racing around the world.

    last year you cheered me on, a guy in the pack at the tacchino CX race, and I was struck by how cool it was you hung out to watch the races and cheer for strangers.

    I know a lot of people are rooting for your speedy and full recovery and seeing you back doing the things you love. -marc

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  20. What huge bummer. Hopefully you will be all healed up in time for some epic fall rides in WV. Let us know if there is anything we can do. Being off the bike sucks but when you get back on it, it is oh so sweet.

    JOEY an Mandi. AKA: the little riddles.

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  21. Sue- You are my mountain bike hero too :-)

    Sorry to hear about the break. I hope you have a super speedy recovery!!!!

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  22. Ooh, ouch.

    But much love and respect. For everything. Good on ya, Sue.

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  23. Hi Sue,
    How are you feeling today? I know what you're going through and I promise it will get better. Be sure to take all your pain meds and enjoy the down time. Keep us posted on your recovery. We're all thinking about you and wishing you the best. Hang in there champ!!

    Alison Dunlap

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  24. Sue, I am so sorry to hear about this. You really broke 2 "legs" (as I am sure you are able to calculate). I broke my tibia when I was 13 and still remember the pain. In lots of ways it has determined how I live my life because that experience has never left my consciousness. It probably is the one thing that I think about every single day. I guess what I am saying is that "good" will come of it all I think! You have inspired me and so many others over the years and you will continue to do so in whatever sort of retirement is coming!

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  25. Hey Sue
    Sorry to hear about your leg, that's crazy. Hope you have a speedy recovery :)
    Take care of yourself.

    Mical

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  26. Hi Sue~
    Listen to Alison D., (take your pain meds and enjoy the down time)...I hope you recover painless and fast. I am sorry to hear for yor misfourtune. All my best~ Tomarra and Bruce.

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  27. Sue, just wanted to let you know that running down that muddy, sketchy trail in oversized flip flops to get Zach and Dusty was really hard. Probably way, way harder than lying in the middle of the trail waiting for medical to come and fetch you after you had crushed multiple bones in your leg ;)

    I'm bummed for you, but I'm sending some Vermont love your way. Tell Tim to keep his eyes on the mail at the shop.

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  28. I'm sorry to hear about your leg. I'm sure you'll heal fast and be XC skiing at White Grass before you know it!

    You were an inspiration to many a racer (male and female) and the positive energy and attitude that you showed on the race course will be missed.

    Heal up fast.

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  29. Hope you get better soon!!!

    alice

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  30. SUE SUE SUE SUE what the hell did you do? Here's to a quick recovery lady!! As for your couch...I say we throw some "knobbies" on it and let er' rip....downhill of course. Hey at least you will be comfy...lol jk jk jk. Get well soon love!!

    Marci

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