Ridecamp: [RC] boring collarbone saga

I know zillions of you get hurt all the time and don't see fit to
publisize, but since chose to get hurt so publically, and quite a few of
you are so nice as to check on me, I'm giving an update. If I don't reply
to you, I *really* appreciated the notes, just am in a major bind having
to get my students' grades reported before I have surgery tomorrow.

Went in yesterday to meet the surgeon who will be plating my collarbone.
He was pretty shocked to see this would be my second time to plate this
one. He said he'd been in practice specializing in breaks for 10 years
and I was a first. >g< (I'm sure there's a dozen RC subscribers who could
surprise him)

 He said he sees no reason to remove the plate later. My first surgeon
said he took it out later to make sure the collarbone would break if I
ever did this again (imagine that). He thought otherwise the shoulder
socket might break instead. Any thoughts or experiences there from
anyone?

Turns out that besides the clean break and overlap there's also a chunk
broken off one of the bone ends. He wants to reserve the right to do a
bone graft off my rib. Says that the circulation in my bone may not be
great since it's been plated and unplated in the past.  I think someone
who wrote had had the graft. I'd love details on what to expect from
that...extend the layup any? He said I may have to stay 2 nights instead
of just one.  

He told me I had a 60% chance of healing on my own within 6 months
without surgery. I think he thought that sounded better than I did. Who
wants their dominent arm strapped to their stomach for 6 months? A couple
of ridecampers had gone that route and warned me to go for the surgery.

 He seemed bothered that he didn't know how well the first healed. I told
him all I remembered was that I did a 50 miler 5 weeks after the surgery.
He was pretty impressed. (or distressed) I was glad he didn't know Julie
did Tevis 5 weeks after hers or he'd have yawned at my appalling
accomplishment. :-)  

I really appreciated all the advice I got from those on ridecamp. When he
started giving me the "cons" of surgery it really helped that I'd heard
from people who had dealt with everything he mentioned...right up to the
muscle spasms I'm having now from the short shoulder :-P Thank you every
one who wrote. Wish me luck. Be home Friday or Sat. Ridecamp's great.
:-))

Angie

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