Thyroid surgery today
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Yesterday, after a trip to the Crested Butte Arts Festival with my mom, I headed out for a late afternoon bike ride with my friend Heather. We rode Snodgrass- but, not the typical Snodgrass that comes to the minds of most people when they think of “riding Snodgrass”. Typically, riding Snodgrass entails riding a trail that travels along beside the mountain. Since Heather and I are both still recovering from ACL surgery and cannot yet ride single track, we cannot ride this Snodgrass trial. However, what most people don’t know is that there is actually a road that goes up to the top of Snodgrass mountain, although this road is closed to motorized traffic. This is what we rode up today. The ride to the top took us about an hour, starting from the ski area. And it was surprisingly fun! At the top, there are spectacular views of Avery Peak and the town of Gothic. I often bring a camera on my rides. But, today I didn’t have it. Sometimes rides are better left in pure memory without even a photo to reminisce with. Today’s ride was that kind of ride.
It took us about 10 minutes to descend the road back to Gothic Road. From there, we continued up Prospector Road, heading for one of my new favorite loops on the mountain. We followed Prospector to the ski area boundary, hung a quick left and then a right on to Painter Boy. Although Painter Boy is technically “single track”, Heather and I both have been riding it because this particular trail is easier than most of the dirt roads we are allowed to ride. I love how it weaves from side to side, through Aspen tunnels and grass troughs. I love how my handle bars try to hit the occasional tree and how the tallgrass tickles my legs. Riding this trail makes me realize how much I love single track and how much I miss it. But, not to long from now, just a little more than a month, I will be riding single track as much as I like. And I can’t wait for it.
My ride with Heather was the perfect way to spend the afternoon of the day before my thyroid surgery. It was the perfect recipe to keep my mind distracted from the nagging knowledge that I will not be able to ride my bike again for 3 more weeks.
As I prepare myself mentally for this surgery, I’ll admit, I’m quite scared. Yes, I’ve had three surgeries already- 2 knees (right and left ACL) and a left thumb UCL. So, you would think I’d be used to the whole surgery thing. But those surgeries were on my knees and thumb. There’s something about having the doctor take a knife to my neck that scales up the fear-factor a few notches, and the risk factor as well.
Add all this to the whole looming thought that I may or may not have cancer…. and won’t know until I wake up after surgery.
While I’m not looking forward to the surgery, I am looking forward to being done with it. I’ve been trying to avoid consuming my mind with the thoughts that surround this surgery. But, these thoughts are always there. And they won’t go away until the surgery is over and done with. Well, I’m ready for these thoughts to be over and done with and to move on with my life!
Next post: post-op!
More details on my thyroid condition and upcoming surgery:
http://www.14erskiers.com/brittanysblog/?s=thyroid&searchsubmit=Search
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