...but the doctors said the hit to my chest was so hard I was like a police officer who'd been shot while wearing a bulletproof vest.
It was Monday at the Pier. Low tide, 30+ knot winds...an epic session was guaranteed for all. Except me. On my very first run (sailing a 4.0) I was overpowered within ten seconds of leaving the beach. I thought "let me go out a bit anyway...I'll rig down in five minutes." I got twenty more good seconds in before I stuck the leeward rail and got slammed hard, chest into the boom with all my weight.
It hurt. After a minute I waterstarted, and immediately knew I had to get off of the water and rest. Back on the beach breathing was painful and I felt stunned, and when I didn't feel any better after 20 minutes I grabbed my rig and began walking it back to my van. Jeff took one look at me and said "let me take that for you."
I sat around in a daze for an hour, watching everyone (Jeff, Jon F, John H, Scott, Jason, Fisherman, the Wolf etc) tear it up. It became clear that I wasn't going to be getting back on the water that day, so I came home. When I woke up the next day and felt no better it was time to call the doctor.
So when can I sail again? "Let the pain be your guide" said the doctor.
Breathing still hurts, so we wait.
GET WELL SOON! Really sorry to hear you are laid up and in pain. You must be pretty badly bruised, and you're very lucky you didn't break any ribs. Take care of yourself now so you can get back onto the water asap.
Posted by: Bunty | December 05, 2007 at 12:43 PM
Ouch! I hope you feel better soon and you don't have to miss too many good days. :)
Posted by: James | December 05, 2007 at 09:43 PM
Sorry to hear, too! A little Ibuprofen and you can sail again, for sure! It's happened to me too, a couple of times.
All the best,
Ely
Posted by: Ely | December 06, 2007 at 12:28 AM
Thanks for the good thoughts. I'm on ibuprofen (3 days later), but right now any change in body posture hurts (carrying a bag of groceries was tough, and getting into bed is a real challenge for some reason) I'm hoping that next week I'll be okay to sail.
Posted by: Michael | December 06, 2007 at 09:23 AM
Hope you're feeling better today. Drown yourself in those painkillers.
Posted by: Bunty | December 06, 2007 at 11:45 AM
So sorry to hear about the body slam! I can feel myself tensing up just thinking about it. Hope you have a quick recovery.
Posted by: scooper | December 06, 2007 at 11:19 PM
Bruised ribs - been there, done that, and winced trying to put on the T-Shirt...
Good luck, and speedy recovery. Hope the people around you don't take perverse pleasure in making you laugh.
Posted by: g-42 | December 07, 2007 at 01:07 PM
Ouch! Hope it does not take too long before you can get back in the straps. Rib injuries are rough...hard to wear a harness for a while. I had a similar rib injury during my 2004 kiteboarding stint, and now have a lasting "knot" on the damaged rib.
Posted by: Bill | December 07, 2007 at 02:03 PM
Today is a substantial improvement on yesterday (deep breaths are no longer scary, and getting out of bed was not a project.) Laughing hasn't come up as an issue, though sneezing hurts like hell. I think I'll be in sailing condition by next Tuesday*. I've got a great sports orthopod who distinguishes between types of pain:
Pain 1: You're feeling this because you're doing something you shouldn't. Stop that.
Pain 2: You're feeling this because you DID something you shouldn't, however if you don't mind the pain, go out and do whatever you please.
I've got Pain 2. Doc says "windsurf when you feel ready. The pain should be gone in 4-6 weeks."
Thanks for all the good thoughts and shared experiences!
*I may be dreaming.
Posted by: Michael | December 07, 2007 at 03:02 PM
Wait until it doesn't hurt anymore when you laugh/sneeze. And use a seat harness to go back sailing. I used it for a month last rib injury I had and I got so used that I almost didn't want to go back to the waiste one... well, not really.
Posted by: giampaolo | December 08, 2007 at 03:07 AM
That's a good suggestion, Giampaolo...it hadn't occurred to me that the waist harness could be uncomfortable. Bill mentioned that too.
Right now there's a forecast for good wind here next Wednesday...I'll keep my fingers crossed (and I'll find someone who can lend me a spair seat harness!)
Posted by: Michael | December 08, 2007 at 09:11 AM
are you fully recovered now?
Posted by: Rach | December 27, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Rachel, I'm feeling much improved, thanks! The important thing is that I can windsurf. Preposterously, sneezing remains a challenge. I've always found sneezing to be overrated...
Posted by: Michael | December 28, 2007 at 07:11 PM