So, last weekend Jason and I decided to go the Heavenly Valley for our last ski trip of the season. The resort just got fresh snow and combined with the warm weather and beautiful sun, the conditions were… well, heavenly!
That lasted (for me at least) for about an hour until I fell into some fresh powder. My skis got caught in the snow, I tripped, and because I was not going fast, my binding did not release. I was lying down for about 30 seconds, unable to get up. Someone took of my skis and helped me up and then called over a ski patroller. Although I had a very strong pain in my right knee, I was able to stand without help and even bend my knees.
Craig (ski patroller’s name) started quizzing me on how I fell, whether I heard any pops, or if anything feels loose. He said that he can’t make me go down to have my knee checked out, but the he would recommend it. At first I said ok, but when I found out that it would mean getting off the mountain, I changed my mind. I said that I would ski for a couple of hours and see how it goes. Then, I made a different move with my knee and the pain was so unbearable that I would not be able to ski at all. I let the ski patrol guys wrap me up in the toboggan while remaining quite cheerful at the same time. Meanwhile, I got in contact with Jason and told him to keep skiing without me. I was sure that it would turn out to be nothing at all…
I finally get to a clinic. After checking in, tons of paperwork, x-rays, and a doctor’s exam, I had my diagnosis:
Doc: Well. You’re done with skiing
Me: Forever?!?!
Doc: No, until the end of the year.
Me: Calendar?!?!
Doc: No, the season.
Me: Wee, it’s already April, the end of the season is not bad at all
Turns out I have a torn medial collateral ligament. I would need to wear a leg brace for 2-3 weeks, 6-8 weeks to heal, Vicodin for the pain (which is overrated as a recreational drug, no pleasant “side effects”). Could be worse… Needless to say, I spent the rest of Saturday and the entire Sunday at the hotel, while my husband was enjoying the perfect skiing weekend. To his defense, he did shower me in attention when back from the slopesJ
Three days later I had a check-up on my humongous leg brace was downgraded to something smaller. The diagnosis remained the same. Here’s me sporting the old cyborg brace and the new fashionable one.
