Two seasons, and hardly anything to show

[Tricks]

so as some of you may recall, I tore my right hand's UCL (ligament that moves the thumb) a couple of years ago trying to brace myself for a fall during an early season pow day. I had to wear a soft cast for 6 weeks, and was told by the campus health center I would have a full range of motion once I got the cast off. fast forward to this year... I work at an apartment complex in the summer doing maintenance, and this past summer, my thumb felt unusually unstable anytime I tried to lift something heavy. almost to the point where I felt like the ligament would tear again.

I made an appointment in August with a hand specialist to get it checked out, and after getting some x-rays / doing some tests, she confirmed that there was indeed a problem. turns out there is another smaller part to the ligament that keeps the thumb stable, that is most likely torn in half. if the ligament isn't repaired, the cartilage will wear away, causing arthritis in the thumb within 2-3 years... ouch.

long story short, I have to get surgery on it next thursday, and they're going to graft in a ligament from my wrist to stabilize the thumb. I went in for a pre-op this morning, and they told me I won't be able to ski for 3 months (six weeks in a cast, the rest of the time in PT), since if I fall on the thumb, the ligament could tear again, and I'd be back at square one. needless to say, after only getting in 5-6 days last year due to studying abroad, I am beyond bummed... was really looking forward to getting back on the hill this season. I mean, I guess the easy solution would be "don't fall", but really, who are we kidding here... that's half the fun of skiing.

this and next week are finals weeks, but I'm still going to try my best to get at least one day of skiing in before going under the knife... hopefully I'll see some of you this weekend.

[tyrolean_skier]

Did you damage it during your fall on Thimble? I thought that time was only the tooth that you did damage to. Looking forward to seeing you again this coming weekend. Unfortunately if the r*in event occurs, you won't get to experience the conditions that were experienced in the past weeks. Let's hope that K can recover from such an event.

Edit: Sorry to hear about the need for surgery. Wishing that all goes well.

[skiadikt]

bummer tricks. hope it all goes well.

[Humpty Dumpty]

That sucks. Sorry dude. Hope it's not the hand you discipline your weiner with.

[Mtn Man]

Wow dude, sorry to hear it!

I was there for the thumb bust, I remember it well on a powder ensconced Skyburst.

Heal up quick!!!

B)

[whiteout]

that sux, how's the band taking it?

[BoozeTan]

Sorry to hear that man. totally sux.
hope you heal up quick.....

[RustyK]

Sorry to hear this. Another year of SBF..and no tricks...

Can I use your boards while your out?

[MrsG]

Bummer Tricks . . . believe me, you don't want the arthritis thing at your age . . . hope to get a hello in this weekend Good luck!

[Ski-N-Sail]

That sucks dude, sorry to hear that.

I hope it doesn't affect your hand modeling career.

[icedtea]

good luck tricks!!!

i hope you get a thigh deep pow day to quell the itch.

[Stormchaser]

Effin bummer dude. I know how bad it sucks to be sitting on the sideline. Can't they reinforce your cast with metal splint and mold it to the shape of your ski pole?

[Mtn Man]

Effin bummer dude. I know how bad it sucks to be sitting on the sideline. Can't they reinforce your cast with metal splint and mold it to the shape of your ski pole?

Hehe, I like the way you think.....unless we're on a cliff in Italy....

Time to get out the acetilyne(sp) torch and welding goggles....

B)

[Tricks]

whitey, band is taking it well- doesn't stop me from doing vocals, so I'll use the extra time in winter for band practice. it actually looks like I'll be doing PT with one of mr. rawley's co-workers, should be interesting.

of course you can use my boards rusty, as long as you don't strap explosives to them or whatever...

ski-n-sail, I sure hope not. otherwise I'll never be as famous as the guy from zoolander...


stormy, I'll see what I can do... maybe they can tie the end of the new ligament onto a ski pole, so I'd have to have it with me at all times?


thanks for the + vibes everyone, appreciate it.

[Phantom]

of course you can use my boards rusty, as long as you don't strap explosives to them or whatever...

You forgot to tell him not to treat them like they were his own
After seeing Rusty ski Skyhawk I'm seeing a kinship to TreeRat.
Best wishes on the repair and rehab.