I got a really nice U2U from Sean (ssayre) and I realized after I responded that what I shared, outside of appreciation and a general cliff notes of the surgery, would be worth sharing with you all.

First and foremost I want to thank you all SO much for your prayers, and well wishes. Though the surgery was not MAJOR, I was still considerably nervous and leaning on the unseen always does the best work to soothe my being. Thanks for your support and I am praising God now that the surgery is all over.

I got home from Surgery about 4 hours ago and was "out of the fog maybe 2 hours ago... The surgery ended up taking about 2 hrs longer than anticipated (total of 4 hours) due to the extent of the damage. Now I have 2 plates in my heel rather than the expected 1. The Doc seemed surprised they didn't keep me at the ER and operate immediately. But hey, looking up from here.

On a separate note I want to share with you all that over the last 3 years, kiting has become for me an obsession that has literally been an addiction, and not in the good and fun way. It has had a small but noticeable adverse effect on my marriage and completely skewed my priorities away from the needs of my family. It has become a completely self focused pursuit that pulls me away from them. I'm telling you all this in order to be transparent and to make sure you see what hindsight has put in front of me. I tell you this in the case that maybe you may be hearing things from your wives and kids that makes you all think maybe it's becoming a sore subject. If that's the case, take a look at it and how it might be affecting you and your family. I for one am going to try hard to figure out how to do it in a way that is not so self indulgent and more family oriented. Less performance driven and more fun focused.

I know many of you easily make it a family affair, but I know there are those of you out there who are like me, who work at not discussing it with your mates for fear of the rolled eyes and general frustration.

Sorry for the heaviness, I just wanted to share, And hope that I'm provoking thought for someone out there who might be experiencing something like what I have experienced over the last 3 years.

Spencer

Glad you are out of surgery and all looks well. Spencer my friend, take one day at a time moving forward. All things will fall into the places they need to be.

Your now part of the titanium club, welcome.
give it some time and see what happens, tomorrow is a new day.
by the way, no upgrades or modifying the new 3 wheel ankle hauler.:evil: some flame stickers and moon eyes are all you can add. Maybe a horn to help move the old folks out of the way.lol

I'm guilty of being too obsessed. I'm working on it, but the bright side is there's much worse stuff to be addicted to.

Quote: Originally posted by ssayre

I'm guilty of being too obsessed. I'm working on it, but the bright side is there's much worse stuff to be addicted to.

I told myself the same thing.... Unfortunately that didn't matter much to Ashli

You've identified what needs to be worked on in regards to priorities which is a good reminder for everyone that has people counting on them. Even though it was unfortunate, it could have been much worse. Glad it was something that could be screwed back together.

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

I got a really nice U2U from Sean (ssayre) and I realized after I responded that what I shared, outside of appreciation and a general cliff notes of the surgery, would be worth sharing with you all. First and foremost I want to thank you all SO much for your prayers, and well wishes. Though the surgery was not MAJOR, I was still considerably nervous and leaning on the unseen always does the best work to soothe my being. Thanks for your support and I am praising God now that the surgery is all over. I got home from Surgery about 4 hours ago and was "out of the fog maybe 2 hours ago... The surgery ended up taking about 2 hrs longer than anticipated (total of 4 hours) due to the extent of the damage. Now I have 2 plates in my heel rather than the expected 1. The Doc seemed surprised they didn't keep me at the ER and operate immediately. But hey, looking up from here. On a separate note I want to share with you all that over the last 3 years, kiting has become for me an obsession that has literally been an addiction, and not in the good and fun way. It has had a small but noticeable adverse effect on my marriage and completely skewed my priorities away from the needs of my family. It has become a completely self focused pursuit that pulls me away from them. I'm telling you all this in order to be transparent and to make sure you see what hindsight has put in front of me. I tell you this in the case that maybe you may be hearing things from your wives and kids that makes you all think maybe it's becoming a sore subject. If that's the case, take a look at it and how it might be affecting you and your family. I for one am going to try hard to figure out how to do it in a way that is not so self indulgent and more family oriented. Less performance driven and more fun focused. I know many of you easily make it a family affair, but I know there are those of you out there who are like me, who work at not discussing it with your mates for fear of the rolled eyes and general frustration. Sorry for the heaviness, I just wanted to share, And hope that I'm provoking thought for someone out there who might be experiencing something like what I have experienced over the last 3 years. Spencer

I'm sure your family have taken pleasure in seeing you enjoy the things that make you happy.

Kite traction sports can be dangerous and I guess some including I have kept that from our families. My own single minded and lone pursuit within it on reflection felt like a selfish one. When something like a fall comes along it must be a frightening realisation that our families are depending on us.

In my case the whole idea of buggying become a little toxic, I'll say no more, but the effect was the same, you realise close friends and family are all the matter. I have curtailed my outings the past couple of years, I'm not suggesting you do too but after 18 years I feel like a recovering drug addict and it feels liberating to no longer obsess over weather reports.

I pay more attention to family & friends these days than I do my kites but we all need a few hours to ourselves once in a while and what better way than to cruise around in a buggy or on a board sharing our exploits here. Everything in moderation.

Thanks Red, that's exactly what I mean... And I'm looking forward to getting there

I have to tell you all that I was talking all this over with my father-in-law (who just so happens to be a recovered alcoholic and drug user) and wife, about how I've been giving a great deal of consideration to restructuring my mindset and my priorities and at the mention of PKF, Ashli piped up and spoke you guys' praises, commenting on your support and well wishes and particularly the phone call from Jeff... Good work team,... Lurv you guys

Oi vey!... I barely slept but for 45 minutes last night... Hurtin a lot today but in better spirits now than I was at 3:00 this morning :o

Wifey went out and got me some stronger drugs... Hopefully they don't put me out so I can't go to Christmas Eve service.

Glad to hear the surgery went well, and sorry that you are having so much pain. It will get better, and I'm sure you will sort everything out.

Well put and I hope it heals quickly, and the pain subsides.

just getting a chance to read these posts. Keep your chin up buddy. Keep the family first...always

I've really been battling with a lot of pain last night and today. I didn't get much sleep last night, but was able to doze all morning. In spite of Ashli getting my prescription filled for a stronger Oxycodone I'm still hurting quite a bit, which is disappointing because I was really looking forward to going to Christmas Eve Services with the family at the church where I work.

On a lighter note, my "knee Walker" arrived today:



Lookin forward to less pain so I can race around on my new Hog!

On a lighter and funny note...
That things got brakes too???
Kids will love scooting around the kitchen on that Hog lol.

its a speed machine.... it has to have brakes

just need some racing stripes

It looks like it could be outfitted with pneumatic tires from tractor supply fairly easily for rougher terrain.

sounds like a plan... I'll look into that

Of course, that narrow rear axle could be an issue...

thats why it needs big foots

Betcha that thing costs as much as a Bigfoot Bugggy..

NOPE.... It's a rental

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

its a speed machine.... it has to have brakes just need some racing stripes

And just for the fun of it, a handlebar bell.


Here's hoping for a speedy recovery. Sorry you had a tumble but it seems to have shaken the priority points. Keep God and family first. Nothing else truly matters. God Bless and Merry Christmas.

Well said riff!!

You need a Bike Flag to complete the ensemble

Welcome to the cruiser's club! Glad to here that you are on the mend.
You will come to an agreement with yourself after a time about what went wrong and how to avoid those situations, tempering the burn so to speak. We look forward to your progress we're all in this together...

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

Quote: Originally posted by soliver

On a lighter note, my "knee Walker" arrived today: Lookin forward to less pain so I can race around on my new Hog!

Wonder if you could hook in with your kite on that thing... just kidding. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Met with my podiatrist for my first post-op appointment today and everything is looking up! My doc seemed to be impressed with my recovery to this point. He took off the split cast to inspect the incision and give my foot a good look. I'm kinda squeamish so I kept my eyes closed as he removed the cast and checked things out. He said he was mainly concerned over "flap failure" and infection due to my diabetes, but only mildly considering that I'm a healthy young diabetic. He figured it would look worse, but said it looked absolutely great and was pleased.

He finished up by putting on a new rigid cast which I asked for in red, so as to be a good canvas for the girls to decorate with sharpie markers



So now I am regaled with illustrations and lyrics from Disney's Frozen... big surprise :D

Spencer. Please tell me that your toe nails are bruised and not painted Frozen blue???

Quote: Originally posted by 3shot

Spencer. Please tell me that your toe nails are bruised and not painted Frozen blue???

I let my 3 yr old paint them blue on Christmas day... they all got a bottle of kiddie nail polish (yes in Frozen blue) in their stockings

They're not bruised, but I am totally secure in my manhood... plus she's very proud of her accomplishment... makes it worth it to me

That's awesome bro!! Figured it was Frozen blue. Lol