Laid Off

Yep, I'm jobless now. Poor and jobless.

Backcountry had to make some drastic cuts in staff and I was one of the lucky 50% that have to leave. Thanks G.Bush and all the corporate money hogging pricks for our awesome economy. I had a great job that I truly loved and now its gone.

So I'm on to filling out applications for places that "aren't hiring currently" in hopes of getting something eventually.

If you know of anything, definitely let me know.

20 CCs of Knee Juice

I went to the Doc for a follow-up on my knee. He drained over 20 ccs of fluid. Filled up about something similar to the picture. It was all yellow and reddish. I actually got a look at it this time before he squirted it in the sink. So gross. He also gave me a cortizone shot to help with the swelling.

I hate needles so I wasn't feeling so hot as I stood up to leave. Had to get out into the cold air asap and lay on a bench for a while. Still felt kinda queasy when I got home. Blah.

But my knee has been feeling good. I've been boarding on it a bit. Not 100% still but I'm working on it. I can't wait until I'm back to normal and can jib and ride like I want to.

I have yet to be in the park yet or any type of fun jibbing. It's calling my name. Especially now that there isn't steady pow riding. It all just looks so freakin fun! Geez!

It's a Miracle!

I had an MRI done on Saturday. Very scary since I had no idea what was going to happen. I had to keep doing it over and over because my leg would twitch and move. Then I went to the doctor again today...

GOOD NEWS!

It's only a sprain, so no real damage! Just have to stretch it and build up strength again! I don't even need a brace! I'm planning to be back on the snow soon! YAY!

Late Christmas

Merry Late Christmas to everyone! I had a small Christmas with the family...not much of the extended out of towners here though (actually none) - aka Sam, Tiff, Gregg, Grady, Taylor, Brooklyn (who I've yet to even meet!), Jodi and Jake. Man I freakin miss everyone at this time of year!

For Christmas I got:
Tickets and travel to the Sugar Bowl!
Softball glove
Hoodie
Jewelry
Boots
Clothes
and a few other small things

Canting

These are the Ride NRc bindings. The NRc, the Ride CAD and all of the new Burton ESTs have an adjustable footbed. It allows you to adjust the footbed lean in or out to reduce pressure and stress on your ankles and knees. Especially helpful for those with wide, ducked stances so that you get a more natural feel when riding.

Some downs: foot is higher off of board so maybe less control? will it really work enough to aid in prevention? or is it more for comfort?

Knee Facts

Some facts I've found:

• Knee injuries are a common occurrence among snowboarders. (Despite what most of the internet says)
  
• 25% of all rider injuries involve the knee.
• Almost 75% of all snowboard injuries occur on the lead leg.
• Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries occur most frequently in duck stance snowboarders because the inner angle of the bindings place a tremendous amount of stress on the inside portion of the knee.

I ride in a ducked stance, 15+/15-, and my knee is my lead knee. I'm doing some research on whether my ducked stance and stance width have any effect on the many knee problems I'm facing now. And if I maybe should consider altering it a bit to help.

Knee Update

I went to my Orthopedic doctor today to check on my knee. I thought he would just drain it like the last time. Instead, he told me that it looks like a MCL sprain or tear and maybe some rubbing on the meniscus. I go in for an MRI on Saturday and then another appointment next Tuesday to figure it all out.

MCLs do heal on their own most of the time. So if it's not serious, I won't need surgery. And I could be back up in a couple of weeks. The doctor pretty much said this but I was also reaffirmed by some of my coworkers tonight.

We shall see. I'm hoping for very short time...there's so much snow falling!