Mike Breiding's Epic Road Trips: ***

February the 25th 2025

Being married to me has been a hazardous occupation for Betsy: 2 car wrecks, several bike wrecks, and more than one fall while hiking that required medical attention.

Yesterday, while hiking in the Starr Valley of Tucson Mountain Park, Betsy caught her toe on a rock and went down hard on her knee. The result—a fractured patella as shown by several x-rays at a local urgent care facility. That was yesterday—February the 25th, 2025.

The day of the fall - crutches and wearing an immobilizer.

This afternoon Betsy had an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee and shoulder arthroscopy. Fortunately no surgery will be required. She was fitted with an adjustable brace that is now set in the "straight" position. In two weeks it will be readjusted to allow more flexion.

No crutches!

Remarkably, Betsy has not received one injury that stole her smile. How she does this, I do not know, but I am truly grateful for it. And, as with all the previous accidents, she will make whatever effort is required for a full recovery without so much as a whimper and without one complaint.
I am a lucky guy.

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Betsy went out for her first "hike" since the accident. We went over the Saguaro NP to the ADA Nature Trail and took a stroll.

The Nature Trail loop is .40 miles - perfect for test driving Betsy's knee.

I borrowed a 3 wheeled walker just in case, but Betsy did fine with just the cane.

It was a fine day to be out and there were lots of folks enjoying the desert and posing for photos.

Most years we would see a few wildflowers in bloom this time of year, but is has been dry, dry, and the only plant we have seen in bloom so far is the ocotillo.

Here is an ocotillo with flowers on each tip. Ocotillo means "little torch" in Spanish.

A close look at the ocotillo flowers. We sometime see hummingbirds feeding on them.

A close up of the ocotillo stem. It is drought deciduous and sheds it's leaves during dry periods. When there is enough moisture, new leaves start growing, sometimes lasting just a few weeks when the will drop again.
The Ocotillo is often use as "fencing" because its spines stop people and animals from passing through.

A couple of days later Betsy had her second appointment with the orthopedist. He adjusted the brace so it could be set for a 30 degree bend when she is sitting. Then she sets it straight again for walking.
The brace will need to stay on for 6 more weeks and it may be up to 3-4 months before she is back to full strength and flexibility.

Today (3/15/25) Betsy took a short drive in the car to see if she could manage getting around on her own. She had some pain afterwards.
Soon she will start PT and start the road to recovery.

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May the 1st 2025

It has now been a little over two months since Betsy's fall that resulted in a fractured kneecap—65 days to be exact.
Since that fateful day, much progress has been made. After weeks of physical therapy in Tucson she continued when whe got back to Morgantown.
She recently had and appointment with a orthopedist who had new x-rays taken. Upon reviewing them he told Betsy she had made good progress in the ammount of time passed since the fall. The x-ray revealed new bone was developing and he felt after 6 more weeks of PT, he could "cut her loose". YIPPEE!

Today was a milestone. Betsy was able to walk 4.5 miles without discomfort or pain. Was she tired? You bet. But being tired is a way of life for us robust elderlies—it's a good thing!
That walk took us down to a place called Round Bottom on the Mon River Rail-Trail. It is a walk we love, especially in glorious spring time.

Here is Betsy on "our" bench at Round Bottom. We always like to sit here for a spell, take in the scenery, and see what birds are about. Today we heard a Prairie Warbler calling and the disant gobbling of a tom turkey along with a number of other birds.
The emerging ferns were gorgeous, and we had a nice bonus as well.

This was the only morel we saw on our walk today and we decided to leave it for others to enjoy.

Today's 4.5 mile walk was on a well groomed rail-trail and just about flat as a pancake. Betsy's next challenge will be hiking the up and down, twisty-turny and sometimes slippery and rocky hiking trails at Coopers Rock SF and Tygart Lake SP.
It won't be long...

See you next time...
Mike and Betsy

 

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