Tuesday, February 13, 2007
I am a quick learner at everything else except when it comes to sport. So, even though this was my third time gone skiing, I stayed on green and easy blue trails, and going pretty slow at that. Here is a picture of me on the slope.
Karl Ninh on Born Free trail in Vail.
And a picture of a few of us out on the town on Saturday night while the rest stay home playing Texas Hold'em or just sleep after a long day skiing.
On the second day, I added a little speed hoping I can easier practice keeping my skis parallel while turning. I pretty much can keep my skis parallel except when turning, my inside ski somehow forms a wedge. Well, toward the end of the first steep slope right off the lift, I decided I was going down the slope a little faster than I like so I tried to turn left and get both of my skis perpendicular to the slope so I can stop before going down another steep slope. I have done it so many times before without any trouble. Well, don't know what happened this time, maybe the speed, maybe the thick new snow, I fell and the ski on my right leg did not release. I twisted my right knee as I went down. Then rolled a couple turns down the slope. I felt a little pain in my right knee. I tried bending and straightening at the knee and things were ok so I got up. Thinking I was fine, so I tried get my skis on to keep going. The toe end of the ski boot went in but when I tried to move the heel end of the ski boot in position to snap in the ski, it didn't move. I felt as though I had no knee. Tried a couple times, knew something was definitely wrong so I told Cynthia to go down and get ski patrol to get me down. Saw Teresa and Steve going down so I waved at them. They came by and sat with me until the ski patrol came. They took my essential information, immobilized my right leg, put me on a stretcher, and one of them skied down, towing the stretcher with me in it behind him, while another skied right behind. They got me down to the base, put me on a transport to the hospital. At the hospital, a couple X-rays of my right knee were taken. The doctor then looked at it, examined my knee, bending it this way and that. Then he told me that I had partially torn my MCL (medial collateral ligament). The good news was that I do not need surgery and I can go on skiing. Thank God! I prayed the whole time and that's was all I wanted to hear. The bad news was no more skiing this season and I need to be wearing the knee brace for a while. The doctor prescribed me anti-inflammatory and pain killer. The physical therapist at the hospital gave me instructions on how to do 6 different exercises when I get home. She had me tried walking and going up and down the stairs with crutches. I decided the crutches were too much trouble so I told her I can do without. She didn't believe me so I had to show her I can walk around with just the knee brace.
Next day, Rhodo, a friend in our group, also gave me Arnica Montana, which really helped with the swelling, stiffness and pain. Healing are progressing really well, thanks Rhodo!
Karl Ninh on Born Free trail in Vail.
And a picture of a few of us out on the town on Saturday night while the rest stay home playing Texas Hold'em or just sleep after a long day skiing.
On the second day, I added a little speed hoping I can easier practice keeping my skis parallel while turning. I pretty much can keep my skis parallel except when turning, my inside ski somehow forms a wedge. Well, toward the end of the first steep slope right off the lift, I decided I was going down the slope a little faster than I like so I tried to turn left and get both of my skis perpendicular to the slope so I can stop before going down another steep slope. I have done it so many times before without any trouble. Well, don't know what happened this time, maybe the speed, maybe the thick new snow, I fell and the ski on my right leg did not release. I twisted my right knee as I went down. Then rolled a couple turns down the slope. I felt a little pain in my right knee. I tried bending and straightening at the knee and things were ok so I got up. Thinking I was fine, so I tried get my skis on to keep going. The toe end of the ski boot went in but when I tried to move the heel end of the ski boot in position to snap in the ski, it didn't move. I felt as though I had no knee. Tried a couple times, knew something was definitely wrong so I told Cynthia to go down and get ski patrol to get me down. Saw Teresa and Steve going down so I waved at them. They came by and sat with me until the ski patrol came. They took my essential information, immobilized my right leg, put me on a stretcher, and one of them skied down, towing the stretcher with me in it behind him, while another skied right behind. They got me down to the base, put me on a transport to the hospital. At the hospital, a couple X-rays of my right knee were taken. The doctor then looked at it, examined my knee, bending it this way and that. Then he told me that I had partially torn my MCL (medial collateral ligament). The good news was that I do not need surgery and I can go on skiing. Thank God! I prayed the whole time and that's was all I wanted to hear. The bad news was no more skiing this season and I need to be wearing the knee brace for a while. The doctor prescribed me anti-inflammatory and pain killer. The physical therapist at the hospital gave me instructions on how to do 6 different exercises when I get home. She had me tried walking and going up and down the stairs with crutches. I decided the crutches were too much trouble so I told her I can do without. She didn't believe me so I had to show her I can walk around with just the knee brace.
Next day, Rhodo, a friend in our group, also gave me Arnica Montana, which really helped with the swelling, stiffness and pain. Healing are progressing really well, thanks Rhodo!
