There IS a lot to do besides ride.

It's taken a few days, but I seem to have found ways to participate in the responsibilities I had and find new ones that I am happy to take on.  Overseeing the goings on in the barn are the hardest.  You know how when you are in the barn all day long, seeing the normal and abnormal behaviors and patterns of the horses, you just know what's always going on.  I can't stay in the barn all day long nor can I participate in ways that I can observe these things easily, so I have to rely on the interpretations of others; a position I'm not that familiar with.  But I trust the people who are in that position and it's a great experience for them to develope their horsemanship. 

What I have filled my day with is administrative chores.  We are hosting the CVDA Cavaletti Clinic with Jerry Schurink on Oct 24th and I've been able to assist Denny in organizing his activities at the Equine Affair in Novemeber.  Also, while I was only hospitalized for 10 days, since I was on narcotic pain meds, I feel as if I have been absent from my life for a period.  Little things like organizing handlers for the foals for weekly trimming  or for worming.  Getting the 3 yo broke (because I don't want to do it now!) Packing up the mares for their stay at Wadsworth Farm in Mass with Shan Lawton, remembering to send them off with vaccination records, equipment and all other pertinent information.  I know that may be normal for many of you, but I haven't boarded a horse in 17 years!  Lastly, there are all of the phone calls to be sure everyone else is as informed as I, or that I am as informed as others.

By the way, while I still wish my hands were free of crutches, I feel the value of them as my SI joint heals and my very sore hip flexor heals.  I have increased comfort in those areas so it's not just the "Dr.'s  orders" but rather I actually feel the benifit to them.  I can be more patient for 5 more weeks.  Oh, and one of my boarders shared a nifty little trick to diffuse a sneeze; that was great! No need to surpress it, it just goes away by touching the space between your eyebrows just above the bridge of your nose.  Big relief.

The appointments with the doctors.

Wednesday was the day I was looking forward to. From everything I read, pain levels seemed to dictate progress. In other words, if it didn't hurt it was ok, within reason of course. So I eagerly went to Dartmouth Hitchcock, excited about being able to walk with a cane, but on crutches since I would be walking a lot between the three appointments. I was really thinking positively. At the first appointment, Rradiology, a senior radiologist walked in to evaluate the quality of the images while I was still on the x-ray table and I overheard the question asked "Did she walk in?" when viewing my films. Clearly, it appeared I was moving right along....until appointment #2, the orthopedic opinion. The PA spent plenty of time with me, answering all my questions, and then dropped the bomb. "I don't think there's any sense in seeing you in less than 6 weeks. I'd like you on crutches doing the 4 point walk until then." GULP! What....crutches for 6 more weeks!!!! My hands full of crutches for 6 MORE WEEKS!!! ....doing what kind of walk??? Uuugggghhhh!!!!!

Needless to say, the next day wasn't a very good one. I am not sure when the last time was that I felt so desperate. But just as my mother always says, things will look better in the morning, and they did. This morning, the highlight was unloading the dishwasher. For the first time in weeks, my back got a good stretch. Later, I taught a few lessons and feel tons better. I am amazed at how important teaching has become for my sanity; I am CLEARLY not cut out for a desk job. I am so relieved to be able to teach; the days have purpose and I can feel engaged in what I love. The days are a bit slow, but...at least I get a break from the frenetic pace I usually keep. Still, I will do my best to figure how to make 6 weeks not feel like 6 weeks.

Mind games and schedules....

I confess, I had a fairly private pity party over the weekend. But today is Monday and the beginning of a new week and it's a week where I have things scheduled. That's a little mind game....if you have something scheduled, it means there's something to give your attention to. That makes time go by more quickly. On Wednesday I have my first doctors appointment followed by PT the next morning. Friday through Sunday I will begin teaching. Actually, I have done a bit already, but those were trial runs. I'm very excited to get back to teaching, it gives me purpose. I taught a lesson tonight and I feel much better.

It's been really great to have so many visitors as well. I've really enjoyed NOT having anything to hurry up and go do while visiting with friends. One other indulgence was signing up for Showtime series Dexter. After I realized another perk to that - Dexter is on for 10 weeks. I am 2 weeks into my 12 week lay-up. When Dexter is over, so will my lay-up! That works... :)

So on Wednesday I will see the doctor and get new X-rays (I can't wait!) and my girls will go to Shan Lawton, my dressage trainer, who generously offered to take the mares to keep them going. I'm so grateful for his generosity and thankful to Daryl Kinny for riding them the last week. Those of you who know Phoebe, know that bringing "The Monstrosity" back into work after 3 months off would be a daunting task. Of course, even more I am excited to have the benefit of Shan's training. However, I will miss thm and it will be weird to "board" my horses.

Lastly, I am afraid I have screwed up and somehow the last 2 blogs I wrote, are floating in cyberspace, or something. They aren't here anyway. Hopefully that won't happen again. Grrrr.

Home again

Sorry I had to take a few days off from posting this week. Mon started out a great day, but by noon, had became the worst day! The pain meds weren't anywhere near enough which led to me flat refusing to participate in the last PT session. But with the help of Oxycodone, Oxycontin and Flexeril (and ice), I was a much happier camper on Tuesday! However, all that did make typing on the iPhone incredibly challenging and needless to say, I gave up! I spent more time correcting than I did typing.

So the pain meds have been reduced and I can resume typing. I've been home for 2 days now and been settling into a new routine of mincing around, sleeping on the couch and trying to find reasons for a visit to the barn. Fortunately, the couch is a bit old so it conveniently has the necessary dip in the middle, facilitating the choice position for rest. I hope I can return to my bed in a couple of weeks.

Seriously, I have been able to spend a good part of the day standing and have noticed changes in my body daily....I just hope they are all good. I even did a little teaching tonight, although I'd be the first to admit it was a tad premature and I should wait a bit longer before doing that again. I have my first follow up appointment on Wed and I am very excited. (It's another milestone) I look forward to these appointments like they are report cards or reviews where the reward is being given more privileges.

It's great to be home and making strides forward (even though they are shuffle steps!)and it was great to see my horses. Thanks again to all who are holding down the fort and those who are reaching out to help.

Monday

I'm about to start my therapy sessions for the day. I have 3 1/2 hours of it today so it will be a little intense; I hope I'm up for it. I spent the day resting yesterday so I would be fresh for today; we'll see how it goes.

The weekend was filled with entertainment; many friends stopped by after their rides at GMHA. I really enjoyed hearing the stories of the weekend's challenges and sharing the excitement as each person discussed their moments of self-discovery. Everyone, including myself, is looking forward to a winter of homework and development. The "off season" is a great time to fill in all those "holes" we find while competing all summer. It is also a time to let the horses "down" a bit and remember to enjoy our partners without the pressure of a goal interfering. Personally, I will miss hacking amidst the colors of the fall, but I will certainly be relishing the beautiful fall season in other ways.

At 8:30am it is time to start the day, learning ways to make these next few weeks easier and doing my best to retain some of be fitness I still have.

Have a good day; I plan to.

Weekends are quiet here in rehab. We are scheduled for only one short therapy session either OT or PT. While both are useful, I'd like to focus on OT since that's what I need to go home! (It's still the shower thing.) I can always get outpatient PT at home. Today I am scheduled for a half hour of PT in the early morning and that is all. So today, I will eagerly look forward to the live updates from GMHA to see how my friends and students are doing with cross country, and will be looking forward to their visits this afternoon. Good luck to all today and I will check in later...

Hi there....

Well it's taken me about a half hour for this technically challenged user to figure out how to begin a blog. At least with all this bedrest/downtime I am able to improve my computer skills!

Mt Ascutney's Rehab Center has been a nice, low key, personal place to begin therapy. I sure am grateful I didn't have to go straight home with 10 broken bones and figure things out! The weekends, however, are pretty quiet here; there aren't to many therapy sessions scheduled. Visiting hours are 4:00 - 8:00 for friends, although they don't seem to be really strict with that. I certainly enjoy company, so visitors are welcome.

Looking ahead, I was informed that one of the criteria for discharge was to be able to walk approximately 150'. Yesterday I walked about 35'; I'm eager to see how far I can get today.

I wish I could be at GMHA today coaching and cheering everyone on, but I guess I'll have to be there in spirit. Good luck to everyone today and I hope everyone has a great ride!