The New Bike Helped

Four weeks ago I broke my collarbone, two weeks ago I noticed my left bicep was no longer there. Found out that I damaged my brachial plexus and I have lost all use of my bicep. Today I had an MRI to see if the doctors can tell if a bone chip is crushing it or if maybe I just stretched or bruised it. The doctors told me that I have a 50% chance of regaining the use of the bicep and may never regain the strength even if the bicep comes back. I broke the collarbone in a mountain bike accident, the doctors told me I may never mountain bike again. Three weeks ago I was depressed, now I have a new road bike and my depression is gone. I bought a Scott CR1 Pro and I love it. I ride on a trainer about three to six miles a day, depending on the pain in my arm. Looks like I will be on the trainer for another couple of months, but riding the new rode bike has really helped my depression. Thank you to everyone for their warm wishes of a speedy recovery.

Oh, no, gobles, I'm so sorry to hear about the complications! But I am glad that you have your new road bike and that you are able to ride on a trainer.

And I'm glad you bought the Scott. Because I remember that your other choice was an Orbea, and I am looking at one right now that is one of the last of the 2006s, and I know there are not many local Orbea dealers and I was a little worried that I was about to swipe your bike!

That is so cute of you. I was looking at the Bicycle Chef for the Orbea. My riding buddy is at Interbike right now and said that the new Orbea's are beautiful, but I received a really good deal on the Scott and found that the only thing I did not like about the Scott was the handlebar width and I had planned on changing that out anyways.

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Originally Posted by gobles

Four weeks ago I broke my collarbone, two weeks ago I noticed my left bicep was no longer there. Found out that I damaged my brachial plexus and I have lost all use of my bicep. Today I had an MRI to see if the doctors can tell if a bone chip is crushing it or if maybe I just stretched or bruised it. The doctors told me that I have a 50% chance of regaining the use of the bicep and may never regain the strength even if the bicep comes back. I broke the collarbone in a mountain bike accident, the doctors told me I may never mountain bike again. Three weeks ago I was depressed, now I have a new road bike and my depression is gone. I bought a Scott CR1 Pro and I love it. I ride on a trainer about three to six miles a day, depending on the pain in my arm. Looks like I will be on the trainer for another couple of months, but riding the new rode bike has really helped my depression. Thank you to everyone for their warm wishes of a speedy recovery.

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Such bad news - but just remember, LOTS of people have been told they would never be able to do things again after accidents or medical discoveries - and they have persevered beyond all expectations. The doctors are by nature very conservative, and a lot more may be in your control than you think.

Don't give up without a fight. Picture yourself mountain biking again, or at least biking on a beautiful road among the mountains, healthy, and happy. Keep that picture in your mind.

You are right. The day I was told I may never mountain bike again I walked the trail I fell on. I walked all the jumps and found some new ones that had always been there, but I was riding to fast to see. I will mountain bike again, maybe not as hard as before, but my desire for it is to strong to give it up.

Well, first, I'm so glad your mood is in the upswing. Nice to see ya back. Getting on a bike, even on a trainer, was a great move. Congrats on smiling again.
My best advice now is be proactive in your recovery. Part of that is reserving judgement on what MAY happen in the future. If someone makes you think it is hopeless in anyway, then it will be. I had docs telling me in the trauma unit 24 hrs after my 1st surgery that I would not keep my leg. Even through the Morphine haze, (good stuff by the way :D) I thought "how could you possibly know that so early". (Yeah, it's still there.) Then I had them tell me I would never walk on it without crutches and abig brace. (Well, I walk just fine without either.) Then they told me I'd never handle more than just short walks. (Well, I do a lot more than that with it.) Yeah, I had lots of nerve damage and paralyzed muscle. I just trained the other ones to compensate. It CAN be done. But don't worry about it unless the time comes. The right attitude and belief in what you are capable of can do wonderous things that NO doctor can explain, no matter how brilliant they are.

Keep up the good work and keep smiling. We are all just work in progress...

You are in my thoughts.

Cindy

Ha, yes, the Bicycle Chef is the Orbea dealer! It's right next door to my office so I walk by and see that Orbea at least twice a day.

So sorry about your complications, but your attitude ROCKS!

Just to second what Xrayted said, my dh had a motorcycle accident when he was younger, and he too almost lost his leg, was told he'd never walk without a brace, never bend his knee to 90 degrees, yada yada yada. None of that turned out to be true, and while he still has a zipper of stitch scars up his thigh, and will probably need his knee replaced in a couple of years, he's the most active 58-year-old guy I know. Seriously. Stick with it--you're doing great!