Ride Home - Monday, July 11, 2005.

Not to much to tell here.  Because of my hand we opted to go inland.  We cruised Cannery Row one last time, and then took CA-68 towards Salinas.  Since the fog was lingering on the east (US-101) side of the valley, we took a county highway (G17) down the west side for some distance.  We got onto the 101 at Chualar.  Gassed up in King City.  Then we took CA-198 to Coalinga.  This road was fun to ride.  I felt comfortable on the bike again, blowing off cars fairly rapidly.  We got to Coalinga and then stayed off of I-5 by going south on CA-33.

We took the shortcut to Buttonwillow, had a great burger in a small stand in Buttonwillow.  Gas at I-5. Then it was a typical boring ride down I-5 to home.  Michael peeled off just south of Gorman, taking CA-138 back towards Quartz Hill.  I got home around 2:45.

Medical update (7/17/05):

The fracture was bigger than previously thought.  I saw an orthopedist on Tuesday.  Now it is off to a hand specialist for surgery.

Next update (7/20/05):

Had surgery on Tuesday, July 19.  They had to pin the bone back together at the joint on my left ring finger.  Here is the pre-surgery x-ray.

Update (07/27/05):

The soft cast and some stitches were removed.  The hand is back in a splint for the next 2 weeks.  The splint is painful, my finger had been curving inward and the splint holds it straight out, much like pressing your palm on a table.  At least I can use the thumb, now.

Update (08/12/05):

Current status of hand - The splint has been removed.  I can almost use the right 2 fingers for the clutch again.  The left 2 fingers hardly move, but I soak them in hot water each day and try to move them.

I decided to go back to Weight Watchers.  I have known that I would be free of my other meds (high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes) if I would lose weight, but sometimes taking the meds was a bit of a crutch, so I would not get serious about losing weight.  As I was laying in the hospital, waiting for surgery, and having been asked about my 'pre-diabetes' condition 5-6 times, I actually resolved to do something.  Apparently, the diabetes has an impact on the anesthesia, and they were carefully monitoring me.  Also the reason I wasn't wearing jeans on the ride was that I couldn't fit into my riding pants.  I am 1/2 way through my 4th week, and down 15 pounds (305->290).  I still have a long way to go, weight loss after the initial few weeks tends to be 1.5-2 pounds a week max.  I have been down to 185 before on WW, but both of those times I started at around 220-225.  I know I have 1.5-2 years of work to get to 185, but from past experience, at 250 or so, I can lose or at least cut back on the meds.

Update (10/19/05):

I can get the ring and pinky fingers to close just over 1/2 way towards the palm.  I go to a therapist 2x a week.  Orthopedist says it will be up to 6 months before full range can be achieved.  Weight is down to 277.  Here is a crappy scan of the latest x-rays

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