A trip to the surgeon instead

With time on his hands with retirement, Bob decided to take care of some nagging aches and pains that have developed with "age". Some fixes were easier... physical therapy for shoulder pain, steroid shot for neck discomfort, but the double hernia found out by ultrasound needed old fashioned surgery. (Well, maybe not so old fashioned...it was done outpatient in the doctor's office...my oh my how surgery has changed since my nursing school days!). Bob went under the knife this past Monday and now has the slow walk of the post op patient. He's doing better each day and is grateful for pain meds and his private duty nurse... ah wife, I mean.

Due to this development, we had to cancel our backpacking trip for this summer. It was a difficult decision as we had all plans set and those reading this blog knew of our "training" hikes. Still, when the doctor states that "if you feel extreme lower abdominal pain and feel a lump in the area, get to a hospital immediately", it doesn't feel right hiking with a 50# backpack in the middle of nowhere. Really, can anybody imagine me getting Bob out of that situation? After the doctor said that, my thinking was, "why make a manageable situation unmanageable?". The straw that broke the camel's back for me was plantar fasciitis pain returning in my right heel after our hikes...I just figured two wrongs were not going to make a right here.

As with most things, we are looking at the silver lining. One of the neighborhood kids from our Iowa days is getting married in Seattle in late July and we get to go to this joyous occasion. Also, once Bob is healed, we will not want for day hiking trails...there are hundreds to choose from and in reality, day hikes will be better for my heel pain. It just seems as if backpacking is not in the cards for me. Bob may decide to go along with Bruce next year, but I think I will stick to trails around here for now. Anybody need a bear bell?