Two weekends ago we headed off for our usual Saturday hike, this time carrying almost full packs (per our masseuse Natasha, each about "the size of a big turkey") with plans to drive over to our local 270 meter 'mountain' and put in a solid 20kms. It was a brilliant sunny day and things got off to a nice start with little difficulty experienced on approach and upward journey. We rested at the top while enjoying the amazing view across the local waters to the US mainland and our own coastal mountains.
We must have been a little too dazzled by the view as we decided that the 'up' portion had gone so well that we would descend down the more rugged back-side route. This would mean that Annemarie would not have the use of her poles for the first quite steep portion. Things started well, but at some point Annemarie tweaked her knee and continued along in her usual 'keep moving' style. Once we arrived at the bottom she told me that it only hurt when she stopped, so against her partner's sage advice she kept on hiking. Some 5kms later as we were heading back into the park area to re-climb the 'mountain' I heard Annemarie let out a significant yelp of pain, and I turned to find that she had come to a complete stop! There was no choice, we had to get her in for medical treatment, and it was fortunate that we had not yet entered the park. Although we were on a dead end road, I was able to fairly quickly arrange a ride for Annemarie. A very nice fellow from out of town (Keith) made sure that Annemarie was safely inside the clinic before he departed. A good Samaritan if ever there was one...didn't leave any contact information...who was that masked stranger?? I guess this could be interpreted as a Camino moment...we'll take it as such.
By the time I'd hiked back through the park, located our car, stopped for a hot chocolate (it's a joke people!) and arrived at the clinic, Annemarie had been checked out and told that there was no injury...did I say that there was a loud popping noise when her knee quit? I found the diagnosis hard to believe...I've seen lots of knee injuries on TV and those folks are always hurt, so why not Annemarie?
Long story short, Annemarie did pretty well to keep the knee 'fairly' immobile and iced for 4-5 days, but you know...its Annemarie. Enough said. I told her she couldn't drive either car anyway as she had hurt her left knee and with both cars being manual, she couldn't manage the clutch...so cool to know you have someone 'over a barrel'. Drove her to her doc the following Wednesday where she was informed that a tendon had been damaged and that it would be a 4-6 week recovery process. Somewhat limited activity initially and she has her first physio with a knee specialist tomorrow.
A set-back for sure, but for a while our Camino adventure flashed before our eyes...mine any way! Stay tuned... Still 12 weeks to get fully mobile again...time enough!
June 20th: Update: The injury is an odd one...small muscle in the back of the knee...should be back to normal in 4 more weeks if the physio and treatment are successful. Good news!
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