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On Ski Injuries and Magical Thinking

May 4, 2015 by braveskimom

ski accident lake louise
A sled ride I could have done without.

brave ski mom logoFor the first week I indulged in magical thinking.

I would lie in my bed in the morning and if I was pain-free, wrapped warm and cozy in a narcotic haze, I’d think about skiing.

I’d picture myself jumping out of bed, stretching my arms skyward. Then I’d see myself buckling my boots and clicking into my skis. I’d feel the cold on my cheeks and the pressure of goggles against my face.

I’d run a mental loop where I did everything right, instead of one thing wrong. I’d try to rollback time. I’d even picture my ski clothes whole, not shredded by the scissors of a paramedic.

Eventually though, the pain in my shoulder would return and I’d have to get up.

I’d have to face the fact that instead of stretching my arms and buckling my boots, I’d be asking my husband to help me dress. In the blink of an accident, I gone from self-sufficient adult to mostly helpless toddler.

lake louise alberta
15 hours before my accident. All smiles while walking on beautiful Lake Louise (the actual lake, not the ski resort!)

But I Only Fell Over

I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve been skiing since I was three and this is my first season ending accident. I plan to make it my last.

Like most accidents I didn’t see it coming. And as with many accidents, I have no one to blame but myself.

We were on day four of a five-day Canadian ski holiday. I was with my family at Lake Louise and we were skiing First Tracks with a guide.

On this morning, I’ll be the first to admit I was pretty tired. I’ll also admit that I was pretty stoked. New snow had fallen over night and we were looking forward to better visibility and winter conditions in the resort’s inspiringly steep Back Bowls.

back bowls lake louise
Skiing the Back Bowls of Lake Louise by braille, the previous day. Go figure, the day I get injured, my sons report amazing conditions and much better visibility.

Since we were out early, only the front side of the mountain was open. West facing, there is plenty of terrain on this side, but it can get sun-effected and icy. There are also some stunningly beautiful views of the Canadian Rockies. And I was looking at these views rather than looking for ice. Checking my speed with a left turn, my edges slid out from under me and I landed squarely on my left shoulder.

front side lake louise
Lake Louise has many, many friendly wide groomers on the front side. Not where I would expect to get hurt, I forgot about the perpetual ice at the top of the World Cup Downhill course.

I didn’t hit my head. I didn’t hit my hip. My shoulder took the force of the fall and as pain ripped through my arm, I knew I was done for.

Not wanting to ruin anyone’s ski day, I told my husband and sons to go enjoy themselves while I waited for patrol. I also told them to take the camera. I still wanted to see the view.

They looked at me as if I was crazy. I wasn’t. I was just thinking magically.

By the time patrol arrived I was pretty sure I had a dislocated shoulder. Not only did the pain makes sense, but my arm was very tight in my jacket.

The next 30 minutes took days. The ride down the mountain was ridiculously painful. Getting in and out of the patrol sled was nearly impossible. Taking off my jacket was an ordeal.

A Full Disco, Plus

With my arm undressed, the verdict came quickly. It’s a “full disco” one of the patrollers diagnosed, as another assured me that I’d soon feel better.

And the magical thinking continued.

As I saw it, my shoulder would be put into place. I’d rest it for a few days, or maybe two weeks. And then I’d end my season with some fantastic spring skiing.

view banff mount nor quay
Of course, the next day was sunny and warm with spring conditions at Mount Norquay. While the boys skied, I rode the North American lift to check out the view.

The reality has been otherwise. For in addition to a “full disco” I had a broken arm. Still as I was leaving the hospital where I went for x-rays, I felt pretty good. For what I thought I heard was that I would be fully immobilized for three weeks and then free.

More magical thinking.

banff gondola
If you’re going to get hurt, you might as well be some place fun and beautiful – like Banff. On day two of my injury, we took the sightseeing gondola up Sulphur Mountain. With a long boardwalk and interpretive information — it’s a great outing.

Back Home Again

Because I had both a dislocation and a broken arm, my immobilization has actually been closer to six weeks.

bow river walk banff
Getting hurt out-of-town means hiking with the family, eating out and maid service at the hotel. It’s harder when you get home. Here, we’re walking along the Bow River near the town of Banff.

At three weeks I began doing some basic isometric exercises, but I still couldn’t move my shoulder. At four weeks, I could free my arm from the sling a few times a day. As we approach six weeks I’m still predominantly one-armed and one-handed.

Not surprisingly, most of the magical thinking ended weeks ago.

Instead I’ve been living a world in which I can’t drive, I can’t type, I’m unable to cook or tie my shoes. I’ve had to rely on family and friends, and thank goodness for them.

I’ve gone from enthusiastic winter athlete to mostly bored couch surfer. I’ve also become an excellent dog walker. I’ve played countless games of Words with Friends and gone on Netflix benders, compulsively watching full seasons of Freaks and Geeks and Downton Abbey.

At times, especially after I began sleeping well, this has been fun – an unexpected, if mandatory, holiday from responsibility.

But I‘d be lying if I said it wasn’t killing me to miss the surprisingly powder-filled end of the Colorado ski season.

Sharing my envy with a friend, she reminded me that there would be other powder days and other seasons — but that I’ll never get another arm.

So I’m trying to be a patient patient.

Magical thinking, indeed.

awards ceremony
Meanwhile life goes on. A spring time whirl of academic awards, lacrosse games, music festivals and more.

Although this is the first mention of our March trip to Alberta, it won’t be the last. Despite the injury, I have wonderful things to report about skiing at Sunshine Village, Lake Louise and Mount Norquay. Look for enthusiastic posts — and photos of the stunning Canadian Rockies — come Fall! 

More on Accidents, Recovery and Ski Safety:

  • How a Ski Accident Changed Our Lives, January 21, 2013.
  • One Tough Mother, July 11, 2012.
  • Talk to Your Kids: Skiing Safety and Skiing Safely, January 12, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

© 2015 – 2019, braveskimom. All rights reserved. Any use or publication of content, including photos, requires express permission.

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Filed Under: Being Brave, Canada, Health, Reflections, Skiing Tagged With: bravery, health, ski, skiing

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. julesolder says

    May 4, 2015 at 8:50 am

    Glad you’re up. More than sorry you were down. You got game.

    • braveskimom says

      May 4, 2015 at 9:47 am

      Thanks Jules! It’s getting better every day…and I must say, as I look back at the photos, we still had fun, even it if wasn’t skiing fun! Definitely better to be on holiday than at home…Cheers!

      • sjflanagan says

        May 6, 2015 at 12:35 pm

        I feel your pain. Literally. (But at least you have a decent story. 🙂 I fell on the ice walking to work two days before my Park City vacation. Broken wrist, broken elbow, sprained shoulder. I went on the trip anyway – hell, it was already paid for and I could still lift a wine glass with my left arm. I’m now a pro at one-handed buttoning and zipping. That said, I own a lot of slip-on shoes and was a huge fan of sweat pants even pre-injury. Like you, I had some fun anyway. The Olympic Park and museum was great (got to watch the women’s luge team practice), the art galleries were very nice, and unlike the old days in Utah, the wine was flowing.

        I’ve just ordered “The Fall Line” and a Warren Miller film that I somehow missed. Is summer over yet????????

        • braveskimom says

          May 6, 2015 at 5:09 pm

          Oh, I think you’ve got a pretty good story too, and a great attitude! So sorry about your Utah trip, but it sounds like you made the most of it. Enjoy the films! Live vicariously and yes, winter will be here before we know it! (At least that’s what I tell myself!)

  2. David Knott says

    May 4, 2015 at 10:49 am

    I know your pain. I broke my clavicle and tore two tendons in a wipeout on my first day of snowboarding years ago. It was also on hard Spring snow. Luckily, it was bad enough to require surgery, so the doctors could get in there and rebuild it properly. That recovery process definitely requires patience and a good support team of friends and family. Looks like you are well set with both. Hope you have a speedy recovery!

    • braveskimom says

      May 4, 2015 at 1:02 pm

      Thanks David. We need to watch out for the hard spring snow! Better to sleep in, than get hurt…I hope your collar bone and tendons are completely healed…and stay that way!

  3. http://www.milehighmamas.com says

    May 4, 2015 at 11:31 am

    Ohhhhh, I’m so so so sorry but hoping you’ll be healed in time for mountain biking season!

    • braveskimom says

      May 4, 2015 at 1:03 pm

      Thanks Amber! It’s slow going, so I suspect I won’t see much biking this summer! But getting the bone totally healed will be worth missing any time on dirt! Happy Spring, and end of school year, to you!

  4. keith says

    May 4, 2015 at 1:03 pm

    Injuries just suck, glad you are healing

    • braveskimom says

      May 4, 2015 at 4:04 pm

      Thanks! I just keep trying to remember that it could be so much worse! I am thankful that it’s not.

  5. Nique Burson says

    May 4, 2015 at 1:42 pm

    Feeling your pain! I tore my MCL near the end of February, and only two weeks later my best friend tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus. She’s now post-op, I’m now training for a half marathon, neither of us skied another day.

    • braveskimom says

      May 4, 2015 at 4:05 pm

      Wow! I’m so impressed that you’re training for 13.1! I have to say, I’ve really missed running, so I’m both in awe of you and jealous. Best wishes to you and your friend. I hope you both heal perfectly and ski many, many days next season! And good luck in the half marathon, too!

  6. Linda W says

    May 4, 2015 at 5:02 pm

    So sorry about your accident! Ugh – injuries suck. After being down most of the fall and part of the winter recovering from bunion surgery, I know all too well how frustrating it is to rely on friends and family for basic needs and transportation. Hang in there – it does get better! Bones heal, and before you know it, you’ll be back to normal. And this episode will be but a blip on the radar screen of life. 🙂

    • braveskimom says

      May 5, 2015 at 9:18 am

      Ah Linda, I didn’t know you’d had bunion surgery. What a bummer, but I hope your feet are happier now! Cheers!

  7. Diane Sweeney says

    May 5, 2015 at 7:37 am

    So sorry To hear about your injury. Hang in there, your positive attitude will take you places.

    • braveskimom says

      May 5, 2015 at 9:18 am

      Thanks Diane! I will try to remember that!

  8. Jennifer says

    May 6, 2015 at 9:26 am

    Hope you feel better soon and are back at it. At least it didn’t happen in December!

    • braveskimom says

      May 6, 2015 at 11:22 am

      That is so true! Even with the early end to the season, I still had many, many great days! And there are more to come next season! That’s the wonder and beauty of living in Colorado.

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I'm Kristen, a western Colorado mom, wife and trail boss in a busy outdoor family. Our family has a passion for skiing and my goal is to provide information to help other families enjoy their skiing adventures. Whether you have tiny toddlers just learning to slide or grown children with whom you're planning a reunion, you're in the right place. Cheers!

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