Penguin on the mend

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Silver Penguin

Silver Penguin
Joined
Oct 10, 2005
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Location
Huntington Beach, CA
Today was THE big day. Six weeks from that fateful day, when the wild pack of Zombies dragged me from my bike, I had the cast removed from my leg. Since the doc said no weight bearing at all I've been essentially confined to bed for the last six weeks. I was able to get into a wheelchair but that only took me as far as the front for back door of the house, then back to bed again.

Now, I'm wearing a humongous leg brace and hobbling around with a walker. I can put about 50lbs of weight on my left leg. Who knew that I'd break a sweat walking a few yards in a cool day? Hobbling is hard work but sure beats sitting in bed all day.

I'm allowed to shower without a trash bag, for the first time in weeks. What luxury!!! I still have to sit on a bench but a proper shower felt awesome tonight.

My left ankle is about twice the size of the right and I have a big lump on my shin. My foot is happy in the position that the cast held it but reluctant to assume the walking position. Tomorrow is my first session with the physical terrorist. Andy has been there, done that so is taking the day off work to go with me. It will be my first time driving a car but he feels that I may be glad of a ride home, pain pills, box of Kleenex, Vicodin etc. after the session.

I'm nowhere near ready for two wheels yet but my little Honda is waiting for me. I have a CRF230L which is a very gentle little ***** cat. In a month or so, I'll be ready to take a test ride and see how it feels. After that, I'm looking at a BMW F700GS to replace my totaled 650. The F700 is actually an 800 cc twin but tuned differently to the F800. I'd prefer the latter but that is more diet oriented with higher clearance and thus much higher seat height. My little legs will only stretch so far. The 700 comes in a low frame, low seat option that would give me toes on the ground, both sides. It will take a while before I trust the weight of my FJR to the goth boots on my weakened ankle.

Sad to say, I've spent too much time on the pity pot but other news that I've read on this very forum had out things into perspective for me. I'm very fortunate, all things considered.

 
Good luck at PT tomorrow. I hope that the pain is minimal and the progress great. Good to know also that the F800 is diet oriented. I should probably get one!

 
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Please allow me to compliment you on your courage. So many times I have seen so called bikers scare themselves with a minor mishap and leave the motorcycle behind. You have shown courage, you have endured pain and misery, yet you are anxious to get back on a bike. I am so sorry that you have had to go through this but this is a much happier thread than the one we all posted to 6 weeks ago. Best of luck.

 
Thought Redfish did a good job saying what I was thinking. You sound great, Jill, even though I suppose you haven't felt so hot every minute these last six weeks. Hang in there and keep feeling better. I'm really glad to see you posting again, and planning your next ride too.

 
Thanks for the update Jill, I was wondering how you were coming along. A BMW? Good lord you may as well get a KTM :lol:

I completely understand the height challenge but hope you are riding sooner than expected and get the perfect bike for you.

 
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It takes time, SP, to heal. Good to hear you're doing it right. Sometimes you nurses are the worse at following good advice, jes sayin'..
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Chuffed as nuts that your doing so well.

Loved your line "Tomorrow is my first session with the physical terrorist." I sure that mine was a SS officer when she was younger.

Take your time and heal well girl!

 
Jill, so glad to hear that you are good enough now to get going on physical therapy. :clapping:

I don't know your pain, but having after knee operation therapy I know a little. I am convinced that I would hobble handicapped for the rest of my life if it wasn't for the therapist.

It hurts like hell, but it is a neccessary hurt to get back to where you need to be...which is riding and enjoying life and not living in a wheelchair.

You know we are all pulling for you! :clapping:

 
Good to hear you are shaking off the zombie attack and thinking about riding. I think all PT folks are sadistic people at heart but I have met more than I ever wanted to and the results are worth it. Drugs are your friend :rolleyes:

 
Thanks for the update Jill, I was wondering how you were coming along. A BMW? Good lord you may as well get a KTM :lol:

I completely understand the height challenge but hope you are riding sooner than expected and get the perfect bike for you.
Seriously, a BMW. I did my research last time around and the 650 GS was the winner. The market hasn't changed much except that the 798cc twin is now available. Basically, I want a naked bike that has some off road capability. It has to tolerate low speed tip overs in the dirt without breaking things. Seat height is the big decider that rules out a lot of competitors. The bike needs to be ok with 500+ mile days at highway speed and be able to carry luggage. My 650 was stretched to its limit doing that and of course, I'm spoiled with how easily the FJR does that. I like heated grips and ABS. I don't want chrome and I don't want the bike to be excessively heavy. Picky? You bet.

As for the KTM, we have one in the garage. (Blush!!!). I guess it depends what you want from a bike. Andy likes tinkering and fixing things so it works for him. I don't like the ratio of service time to riding time. My little Honda is on the far end of the spectrum regarding performance but also on reliability.

 
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