Melissa I
Strong

1.2015

Difficult Decisions: to return to Hueco or to stay at home--listening to injuries

 

To return to Hueco or to stay at home—not something I usually ask myself.  Life has presented me with some challenging decisions due to another shoulder injury.  On the positive side, I don't see surgery in my future, but to continue to climb, especially on steep physical terrain like Hueco, would only make the injury worse.  This was not the plan, but for once, I am trying to be smart about an injury and listen to my body—with my right shoulder, I stubbornly tried to push my way through prolonging the recovery over the years.

 

November in Hueco was great, dreamy in fact. We were having fun.  I felt strong.  Adam's elbows were not hurting for the first time in three years.   Good friends, good times, Hueco in the off-season, we got cool temps and not so busy.  The one unwelcoming aspect was my shoulder seemed to be failing and getting exceedingly crunchy daily.  I was definitely concerned and laid off, especially when I felt fatigued.  Figured it was ok to baby it a bit, give it a rest when we came home for our planned working holiday.  Home was a wonderful respite.  I love Hueco, but I adore being at home. It was a great winter break; it was cold and snowy, and we got a Christmas tree!  Getting shifts managing was helpful, as well recovery time.  I decided to go to a physical therapist, chiropractor, and doctor all in one and see if I could get my shoulder better quickly to return to Hueco.

 

Quick was not part of the deal.   Dr. Neff from Truebility in Boulder was able to locate issues and break up scar tissue, and it has been a roller coaster ride since. Each week brings hope and pain and weakness and hope.  I made an MRI appointment but just canceled it because we believe it is a partial tear, and I am on the mend!  Dr. Neff's work has helped speed up the process, and the correct decision was made—to stay here and have treatments, that is.  I have been able to climb a few times a week on our garage wall and feel like I am safely maintaining strength while healing.

 

I couldn't hold Mr. Strong back!  He has fought a three-year battle with medial epicondylitis.  He is off to Hueco for a bit while I hope to mend myself before Switzerland.   Here's keeping my fingers crossed and hoping Hueco will still be there next year (this is a bit of foreshadowing about the next blog which will probably be about the current access issues at Hueco Tanks)!

 

I am trying to make the best of being at home (Estes Park, CO) in the winter, working, playing, and visiting with friends that summer busy months usually don't afford time for.  I have been to the top of two popular mountains, and I am ashamed to say I have never stood on the summit before Twin Sisters and Estes Cone.  Being so dedicated to bouldering, I spend my days off climbing the same canyon, Chaos Canyon.  Since I am here and not spending my days off hiking to climb, I can hike for the sake of seeing beautiful destinations all in my backyard!

 

Despite making the best of it and healing, I am sad I am not in Hueco.  In addition to missing the beauty of Hueco and the climbing, I was hoping to represent Wagon Wheel Co-opt at the first of a series of meetings with the El Paso Senator and TPWD to assess Hueco's 2000 Public Use Plan.  I am working on our paperwork, and Adam will represent us the meetings physically with me on Facetime. 

 

My time here is bittersweet, surrounded by beauty and remarkable people, but missing my love and Hueco.  And keeping my eye on the prize, 7 weeks in Switzerland in a month from