Great topic. I can totally relate. By far, the mental aspect of injury recovery is the biggest factor.

I severely broke my right arm a few years ago on a mellow, early ski-season powder run. A fracture that left my arm held together by only muscle and some connective tissue, coming within a breath of losing the arm completely.

After a couple surgeries that included removing my triceps, piecing together what was left of the bone, adding a hardware store worth of metal plates & screws, futzing with all the nerves, etc, etc., I had a semi-functional arm and hand, miraculously.

I managed to keep a positive attitude, knowing how lucky I had been, & bounced back in only a few months. Then -wham- I fell on some icy steps & re-broke my arm in the exact same spot, mangling all the internal plates in the process.

That second incident totally burst my bubble, knowing I’d have to go through all those painful surgeries again to remove the plates/screws, re-re-set the bone, add more plates & screws, and go through the whole bloody recovery process again.

For me, this brought on a ton of fear that I was totally screwed up, fragile, & unable to do the things I’d always loved to do. What if I fell again? Am I cursed? Chronic nerve pain, chronic aching, fear, fear, fear was everywhere. Depression set in, Vicodin became a crutch.

Sadly, a death in the family jarred me to my senses. It completely put my situation into perspective, & forced me to take stock in what I had. I really did have it within myself to overcome those overwhelming fears, & it was up to me to take control of them.

Once the psychological portion of the recovery got under control, the physical part fell right in line. Over the past few years I’ve recovered amazingly. The fact that I’m taking up rock climbing is something I’d have never imagined a couple years ago. I’m taking it slowly, but talk about working through fear… geeezus.

If nothing else, my injuries forced me to slow down, appreciate the world around me, & not sweat the small stuff.

If you’re recovering from a serious injury, try to be patient, keep it in perspective, stay in close contact with your friends and family, & don’t force yourself to do too much too soon. A re-injury can be MUCH more harmful, physically & mentally, than an initial injury.

I hear ya... I got like 12 screws and pins and two plates
in my ankle.

I over-did it yesterday, first climbing in 3 and a half years !!
I feel like I'm starting all over again.

I'm sick of being lame, I just gotta do something, I
don't care if it falls apart, then I'll just have to get
it fused if it does I guess.

Hope your arm heals OK, sounds like a real terrible time
you had with that.

WAY TO RIP DAVE!!!!!!!!!!! Just wanting to go out is a start. Your first post a few weeks ago was very different from what you now write. It is nice to know the community has helped to raise you up - literally. Keep getting out- and keep posting - these two things sound like the best medicine for you. We are pulling for you - you should be too!!!! Keep it going Bro.

Thanks Kevin !!..Thats just the medicine I need.

It's hard not to sound corny but I sorta feel
like Rocky Balboa...

Adriaaaaannm !!
(cue music)

Okay... I guess its my turn, last February I subluxed my shoulder and broke my neck. I've been in a brace for two months and am just now getting out of the damn thing. My index finger remains numb but at least the fracture looks like it has healed well. I'm told I was lucky it wasn't worse. My Dr. and PT say no climbing yet but I'm not sure they understand how mild easy TR's are. I went in for Rolfing and the therapist recommended waiting six months! I can't stand it! Adding insult to injury, it looks to be a killer season for ski descents. Any opinions would be welcome...should I be patient and wait or gradually get back into it?

Awesome, Dave! I'm guessing the really hard part will be getting used to climbing at a lower level for a while, but just getting out there is the most important part. Being patient with your strength & ability will definitely pay off.

Dave,

I think that it is really awesome how this thread inspired you. It's encouraging as I suffer but plow through my injuries and stay after it despite what doctors and everyone else says...I am still young though so we'll see when it bites. Sometimes you just can't say no regardless of what the majority thinks or believes. Perhaps one of the toughest things I have ever had to do is sit back on an injury and miss out on those amazing moments that only us ourdoor aficionado's can appreciate.

One idea, did you happen to ever look into getting the troubled nerves removed? I have no idea if this is at all feasible with the nature of your injury but I have heard of this and that it has worked for some people.

Anyways I was looking at your two pictures and think that if you are up to it you should post some more. I mean you've got the bad hair day and the muscle man next to the bird rock. Let's see some big smile shots as you spite the pain up them rocks!!!

Seriously though, it is truly awesome that you're not taking no for an answer!

Nice work Dave! Like the chalky hands...

Easy Big Dave---- take baby steps as you are still discovering what you can do. You are too far along to risk a slip bouldering , get on a friendly rope . Just feeling your hand in your chalkbag ......... ooohhh boy...... nice . ROCK ON DAVE safely. You're getting there dude.

You are right kevin..I gotta be careful.

It's ironic that all the risks I took climbing
skiing etc.. I crashed and burned on a
f*ckin ladder on a stupid-ass job.



I'm tryin' not to do anything crazy. Toproping would
be the prudent thing to do indeed.