Rib injury - should I hold off cycling?

[kimba]

Hi- just thought I'd toss in my 2 cents...

I too fell ( in a weird soft landing) and that night experienced discomfort in my rib area- The next day was better- not nearly as much pain. Having had pain like this before- last endo, actually- I just put it down to bruised ribs- and kept going, doing the usual thing, riding, lifting stuff at work etc.

Well- 2 weeks in, it started to feel better- not as much pain. I lifted a heavy box at work- and the next day - WHOA! excrutiating pain- more than the first day! Went to the doctor- turns out I have a cracked rib...which had started to heal, and then I essentially rebroke it. It hurt like @#!! and I could feel the rib snapping- rubbing together when I breathed! It was awful. And even more awful- I can't ride until it's healed- which could be 6 weeks.
I've been on my bike for a few minutes here and there- I went to a provincial park here- practically to the back country- couldn't backpack because of the rib, but I did canoe. In fact I capsized the canoe in heavy winds and current, and was in the water for about an hour, trying to get to shore. Fortunately for me it was the hottest day of the year, and the water was warm. Almost like physiotherapy. I wasn't afraid, I can swim pretty well, so I wasn't afraid I'd drown- but it was an annoyance, because I went in wearing my clothes, with my wallet and ID and papers and everything else getting drenched- 'cept my hat, which miraculously remained dry. Fortunately I had just removed the pouch with my digital camera.
Anyway-
we took the mountain bikes, but didn't ride them too much.

I am now way to paranoid about falling and screwing up my rib again- I think I have a weakness there now.
And I am way too anxious about riding...the fear is back, and it is paralyzing. My fitness level has suffered, and I want to get out on my bike, but now I am too afraid.

This sucks!

Kimba
not this paranoid after the endo even! What's wrong with me?