Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Wordy Wednesday: When Good Knees Go Bad

Not my knee.
My husband's.
So the dream of the 100 mile 10 day backpack remains just that...a dream. 
Fifty miles in 4 days is pretty respectable however. I just wish it had only been forty, since he walked the last ten miles AFTER blowing out his knee.

The doc says it's the meniscus and ACL. Vicodin to the rescue; the MRI is scheduled for Friday; the orthopedic surgeon is booked till July 1 but we're working on moving that up. Ted, he of the superhuman pain threshold, doesn't think he can take it till July. For those who knew him for his previous neck fusions and knee surgery, when Ted says he can't take the pain it's about a 15 on the 10 point pain scale.

The only one who seems fine and dandy with being home early is Toby.
Wanna go for a hike, Toby?

Thanks, but I think Leo and I will just enjoy the cool kitchen tiles today -
So what did Toby think of his adventure? Apparently he didn't see why he had to sleep on the hard floor of the tent and was so insistent on getting on the sleeping bags that Kevin finally made him a bed out of their fleece jackets. He was too tired to eat his breakfast on that last 10 mile day (though on arriving home that evening he more than made up for it). He was the darling of the trail shelters though! He is now on the cameras of untold numbers of Appalachian Trail thru-hikers and other campers (I know Ted gave some of you this blog address - if you're reading this please leave a comment!)
They say Toby was happy every minute of walking on the trail. Putting on his backpack...not so much.
Grizzly mama and cub seen through a spotter scope at Yellowstone National Park

One night Kevin heard a bear (black, not grizzly) approaching the tent. The food was up in a tree for that very reason. Toby heard the bear too and listened intently to its footsteps without his usual alarm growl or bark. The two of them listened to the bear investigate the area for several minutes before lumbering away. I wonder if Toby sensed potential danger; it is very unlike him to be quiet when he hears strange noises.
Toby probably doesn't appreciate the views like we do. Here's a panorama shot Kevin took:
Why We Backpack!
My wifely advice to Ted was: next summer do the last 50 miles only and call the dream realized!

19 comments:

  1. Great photos! So sorry about Ted's knee. I love camping however I do sleep on the air mattress with Ma and Daddy-dog (don't tell Toby or that will be next)!

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  2. Toby looks happy! Sorry to hear about Ted's Knee. Hope he heals qucikly. Have a wonderful Wednesday!

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    1. Thank you and thanks for visiting Venus!

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  3. So sorry about your husbands knee Toby looks precious as always
    Urban hounds

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    1. Thank you, I'll relay your kind wishes to him.

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  4. Fantastic photos! So sorry to hear about Ted's knee...that's the pits! Hope he's able to get fixed up faster and feels better! Toby looks plenty happy there on the tiles :)

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    1. Yes he's getting his energy back now but he was pretty worn out!

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  5. Oh no!!! That's no good ... if Dad can't take the pain it must be awful! I think them doing the last 50 next summer and considering it done is a great idea! See you this afternoon! (oh and I love that you named Toby's toy Leo... haha)

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    1. Currently fighting with him over the Vicodin...take the max dose you ding-a-ling!!!!! Pain is not helpful. At. All.

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  6. I hope the knee is better soon. Maybe you can take this walk later? Thanks for sharing this great pictures with me

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    1. You're welcome - the Shenandoahs are so beautiful.

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  7. Oh no, what a terrible disappointment, and even worse, a bad injury. I hope that something can get Ted's pain under control sooner rather than later. I can only imagine how sad he feels... Hugs to all of you.

    I'm glad that Toby is happy, although I bet he's worried about Ted.

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    1. Thanks KB, yes we are both disappointed. This will certainly wipe out our trip plans for the summer; definitely will have to postpone a week in Grayson Highlands, our favorite State Park. :( But the main thing is to get his knee well so we can get back out there in a couple of months!

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  8. Sorry to hear about hubby's knee - I did the partial ACL tear, so I can only imagine how painful the full blow out is - ouch!

    Though I did have to chuckle when I read the wifely advice at the end, that so would have been what my Mum said too! :)

    Wags to all

    Your pal Snoopy :)

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    1. Well imagine how well the advice was received! I felt kinda bad, like I'd kicked the poor guy when he was down. Still think I'm right though!

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  9. So sorry Ted hurt his knee...that's no fun!! Hope the MRI went well today and that he can get in with the surgeon before July 1st!

    Toby sounds like Chloe camping--we took her when she was younger (before I had Riley), and she put herself to bed early...in the tent...on top of our folded up blankets and sleeping bags! Creature of comfort.

    And of course Toby was the highlight of the trail!! :)

    Elyse and Riley

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    1. The MRI went smoothly and he was able to see another surgeon in the same practice next week...so hopefully surgery very soon.
      Haha Chloe is my kind of camper!

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  10. Sorry to hear about your hubby's knee, paws crossed for him

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