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Friday, December 28, 2007

this woman = styled toughness

from Barb Howe ~ queen of cool.
we wish her speedy recovery and many european delights during getwellnessing.

thank the buddha she was there and not here when she had a medical emergency.

~m
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Hello everyone,

So I'm over in Belgium having a great racing campaign. The first weekend here I had three races in a row and finished 9th, 11th, and 10th and was feeling fantastic.

During the World Cup on the 26th I ruptured my right achilles tendon necessitating surgery. I hurt myself around 2pm and was in surgery before 6pm! They are quick around here and that was all without asking for an ID or insurance card or anything.

The surgery went well, my tendon had to be sewn back together and I'm in a cast and not allowed to weight the foot for two weeks. I should be able to swim in 3-4 weeks and get on an indoor bike some time after that. In 6-8 weeks I'll be in a walking cast and by 10 weeks will have one seriously atrophied skinny white little calf to show off.

Because I'm a very positive person I've been able to find the silver lining in this messed up situation........it now officially my off season and I'm in the country that has the best beer in the world. The chocolate, cheese and bread are pretty good too. I'm headed home on the third of January and until then I'm working on my euro crutch (aka gimpsticks) skills and keeping my foot elevated.

I hope everyone has safe and happy holidays and don't worry, I'll be back on the bike soon enough!!!

ciao,
barb

DS, Sheila Moon Athletic Apparel, LLC
Velo Bella-Kona Elite Cyclocross Team

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6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Get well soon Barbarella!

Unknown said...

barb's positive attitude always inspires.

Lorri Lee Lown -- velogirl said...

tough as nails.....and cool as ice! drink some belgium beer for me, Barb!

Secundus said...

Sorry to hear but glad you're back on the road/trail to recovery, Barb!

If it's any help, I found a week on my back in hospital was an awesome rest/recovery opportunity and came back for a strong end of the season. So, odds are you'll have a terrific-er 2008.

(Side note: when boys hear "rupture", they think of something else... .)

Let me know if there's anything we can do -- send links for off-bike reading, ship music/dvds, etc.

Long-time fan, first-time caller.

Barb said...

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the positiveness. My leg feels much better today. I'm really just hoping for an uncomplicated recovery and to get this stinkin' heavy plaster cast off my leg. I'm requesting that the second cast be made from carbon fiber or some other light weight space age material. Sampled two new beers today and they got me a little bit drunk. Alcohol is a painkiller isn't it?

Barb

Secundus said...

Can you get a cleat drilled into the bottom of the cast? I have actually seen a bike racer do that, and mountain and road bike with it.

I'm not saying it was smart. But it was do-able.