Dangit! That didn't quite work as planned...

[vifferman]

So... I hadn't driven since June 17th, and hadn't ridden the VFR since June 16th, and I was getting mightily tired of being a passenger (and cranky too). Yesterday looked like being the only sunnyish day in D'Auckland for a longish spell (not that I'm a fair-weather rider though). Monday night was supposed to be the day the cardiologist gave me the "All Clear! Ship's Away! Haul Anchor!!" for driving, but he'd cancelled the appointment. I'd figured he'd just ask me some questions, like, "Have you had any dizzy spells? Blackouts? Strange hallucinations? Visual Disturbances?", and the asnwer was mostly "No". So I judged myself more or less fit to drive.
This made me lie awake for many <s>hours</s> minutes plotting my escape from <s>Passenger Dumb</s> Passengerdom.
Come Tuesday morning, I got ready in what for me was a small amount of time, and went out to the gargre with the VFR's key. For the first time in two months, I sat on the seat, unlocked the steering, and pretended I was riding. Hmmmm... not too uncomfortable.... the odd twinge from my muntered shoulder, but OKish, even with turning the bars.
I raced inside, found where my jacket had been hidden (we're having renovations, so things are in weird places). Man - this thing is heavy!! Why come? I gingerly stuck my left arm mostly in, but was thwarted by the "pre-curved" arm, the snug fitting, and the sheer weight of the thing resting on my shoulder.
Dangit!!

So, I had to menace the roads in the car instead. I guess it will still be a week or four before biking's the In Thing. (Much to the vifferwifegrump's relief, no doubt, judging from her ranting reaction when I told her my exciting tale last night...)

OK. As you were....

[Mom]

You need to train for a ride. Start out by wearing your jacket for 3 minutes twice a day and increase when your tolerance levels rise.

[tamarillo]

the art of patience...

[Pwalo]

You'll just have to wait. Same thing trying to get my gloves on after breaking bones in both my hands. Took six weeks after my surgery until I could get back out on the bike.

I imagine it'll be hard work for a while with the shoulder, but it will get better.

[onearmedbandit]

Just do what I do, don't bother putting your left arm in your leathers lol.

Good to hear you're back on the mend.

[avgas]

been there and done that vifferman.
sucks arse - but I can tell you honestly that if you push it, it takes twice as long to heal.

[SMOKEU]

Just jump on and hang on for dear life.

[Edbear]

Just do what I do, don't bother putting your left arm in your leathers lol.

Good to hear you're back on the mend.

Now there's an idea! :yes:

You'll get there! :sunny:

[nudemetalz]

Get well soon and then be back on the freedom bird !!

[beyond]

Mate, just cut the sleeve off :)

[vifferman]

Thanks for all the kind comments, peeps. I'm kinda resigned now to just waiting impatiently.
Cardiologist phoned me last night - apparently he has some paperwork to do before I can drive. Didn't tell him I already am/was. :shutup:

been there and done that vifferman.
sucks arse - but I can tell you honestly that if you push it, it takes twice as long to heal. Well... I was originally told it would take about six months for my shoulder to heal. :shit:
"Oh dear!", thought I, rolling over and taking it like a wimp.
"Fuck that!" followed soonly after, and I made an appointment with the physio, for two sessions a week of torture. Still don't have a lot more mobility, but the pain's a bit less. oh - and the physio at the hospital finally phoned me, three (or was it four?) weeks after I went in to see them. Luckily, I'd anticipated things would move somewhat glacially, hence going privately (a bit like the heart operation I'd probably still be waiting another 6 months to a year for....).
Probably no work today - I've got physio this morning, and apparently need an ECG (which probably won't work, as that large, lumpy clunky thing in my chest seems to have disappeared. I suspect it's been stolen, as there's now a big zipper down the front...:blink:)

[vifferman]

Found the problem: shoulder armour.
Oh - that, and insufficient determination.
Once I was detemined enough to push past the pain barrier, the jacket went on OK (and I didn't even cry... although I very nearly screamed at the <s>Machiavellian Torture Shoppe</s> physiotherapist's this morning, when the otherwise lovely Sarah massaged the blardy great knots in my shoulder :shit:
"Sorry, Dude!"
"Aarrgghhh!!! I bet you're secretly enjoying this, innit?"
"Yeah... it's what I live for...":blink:
Still, I must say, apart from the bruise on my shoulder from Tuesday's episode, and the 7cm scar where the previous week's 'treatment' with sticky tape ripped a nice strip of skin off, right down to the subdermal layers, it's all good. Ish...
Mobility is improving, and the Happy Day of Motorbicycling Joy and Smileyness doth steadily approacheth.
Yay! And all that...

[avgas]

Well... I was originally told it would take about six months for my shoulder to heal. :shit:
Bummer, but sounds about right. When I snapped my deltoid in 2 that took about 4 months. First 2 weeks were spend taking shit loads of drugs so I could sleep. Or crying into a pillow at night.
Most painful thing I have ever done. Felt like it was cut with a steak knife.
Physio was like getting hit by a truck, at a frequency of 0.5 Hz......
Breaking my leg in comparison was a walk in the park :innocent:
I wouldn't wish that on anyone. You have my sympathies.

[Swoop]

Doh!

Did the Vifferbabe hide the bike key?:shifty:

[vifferman]

Doh!

Did the Vifferbabe hide the bike key?:shifty:
Noo....
I think she thought her stern telling off, arms akimbo and serious face was enough. Unfortunately it was enough to piss me off...

I'm really tempted to take her up on the "The surgeon said you should do short rides around the neighbourhood first!" suggestion, especially given it's fine at the moment, I'm home, and the VFR looks most unhappy in the gargre.
Oh - and the Satantune's currently in "definitely not stealth" mode. :shifty:

I think I'll go our to the gargre and check the tyre pressures....:yes:

[vifferman]

An oxygen thief perhaps? Didn't cause too much trouble - I just sucked some out of the inside of the gargre (did I see the walls bulge inward slightly? :confused:) redirected it into the balck thingies, and they were up to spec again.
Can't remember when I was last so excited about going for a ride! :scooter:

Getting my gear on was a problem - even though I'v lost 7 or 8 kg, it alll seemed rather snug, and I couldn't find my jacket horn (trouser horn was still where it belonged:shifty:)
Soooo.... out to the gargre again, key in, bike starts readily (albeit a bit lumpily). Oh - that's right; it's a V-four!
Hmmm... Satantune sans spud was much noisier than I remembered - must've grown some of my hearing back.
And off we go! Weeeee!!! (or something; not really sure what).
This is a doddle! Actually feels easier'n driving, not too much discomfort at all (apart from Houdini-ing my way into my gear).
As per surgeon's/wife's instructions, I kept it neighbourhoody - just a cruise around the block, a u-turn and back again. Enough time to warm the engine up, open the thermostat, circulate the erl.

So - I hereby adjudge myself fit to ride, and will issue myself a permit forthwith! Fifthwith, even (or is that less quickly? :confused:)
Soonly then. :yes:

Watchout, motorists!!


I'm a biker <s>again</s> still!