On the screen in front of him, my orthopedist examined the Grade 4 stress fracture that split across my lesser trochanter and the extensive surrounding edema. He turned to me with a quizzical look and said “I mean, you shouldn’t break a bone running 100 miles unless there was some kind of underlying issue.”
I always appreciate your words Amelia. Clearly, as I digested this within 5 minutes of you posting. Anyway, you did what you could with the knowledge you had. I've been there too (not that you asked) and my less stress fracture, everyone (doctor, X-ray, MRI) told me I just had a swollen achilles...not a broken calcaneus. I hope you do find the answers: they why you got a stress reaction. And please don't give up running. It is clear you love it (although do give it up if you truly want too LOL, I am not demanding you run for me). Anyway, I hope you recover well and I hope you find the true whys that you lead you to the reaction. (and yes this comment is really all over the place).
Thanks so much for writing this all out. I’m the one who wrote you on insta saying I was going on crutches for my own bone edema (mines in my knee on the tibia plateau). It absolutely sucks trying to trust you body again, trying to trust the imaging, and the doctors. I’m no stranger to bone injuries, or soft tissue injury, but finding things in an MRI round 2 or having a second pair of eyes read an old one and seeing “new” things on it is jarring.
Sending many healing thoughts from my couch and mobilegs to yours.
I also had a fasley read MRI in 2016 and shredding my ankle tendon. It's very frustrating and I am sorry you are going to this. I had a 12 week recovery for broken hip and pelvis and sacrum in 2020 after a bike accident. I have EDS and am very small because of it (in fact I had the dietitian come visit me in the hospital because they were worried about my low body weight). Miraculous ly I made a full recovery and came back stronger. I think you will too!!! Believe it.
Thanks so much for this! Been following for a while since the rich roll podcast/ I’m a casual racer and attempted to increase mileage in 2020 and at mile 36 my femur snapped- I didn’t even know bc I had never broken a bone..... I’ve run multiple 50 k since and want to conquer my unfinished business with the 50- but to be honest I’m scared.....(I’m a mental health clinician by day- so I’ve got the tools).... thank you for your vulnerability..... life is never black and white....maybe one day I’ll wrap up my unfinished business and maybe I won’t....I just wanted you to know- your posts are always inspirational and real- and I’m so grateful for that!
Amelia, it was everything...it was painful, it was scary and it was a GIFT! I learned more about myself and my life and my body and my chronic illness during that time than any other time. It truly came into my life as a storm but cleared my path in many ways. I am holding space for you to feel the same with your recovery. It's a special time that won't last forever. And I know you want it to be over, but cherish it (I sometimes miss the person I was during my healing time). Big love! xo
Thank you for sharing this with us, your friends and admirers. I'm glad you are taking the time and steps you need to heal, and I hope to see you at some future Spartan.
I had a stress reaction last summer in my femoral neck. Radiologist didn’t really see it but my doctor did thank goodness and I pulled from my race. I cannot imagine the level of pain you must have been in finishing that with a grade 4. You know in your heart of hearts you made the right decisions. A missed MRI reading isn’t your fault. You went with the knowledge you were given. Sending you all the healing vibes for a no pin recovery.
Sep 5, 2023·edited Sep 5, 2023Liked by Amelia Boone
I remember talking to you at the pool one evening during RAGBRAI about how I was glad you opted out of that second-to-last day, since it was so hilly and so hard. Then, a week or two later as I'm reading about the stress fracture you discovered after all that time with us in Iowa, I couldn't help but feel, "Crap...did your dedication to join us for even just the last few days of RAGBRAI make things worse in the end?!"
It's not like I feel personally responsible but, as part of the RAGBRAI crowd you were so dedicated to join, I feel like I gained something grand (meeting you and then having you make those wonderful videos for my friend) while you paid an awfully high price for being there.
If Ryan (and you) do show up at Javelina, I'll do my best to support both our teams (my friend as well as Ryan) to show my gratitude for your enthusiasm for all of us...runners, bike-packers, crewers, pacers, and lovers of living fully.
Thank you!! Yeah, not the greatest idea in hindsight (literally walking around on a broken bone), but I'm still glad I had the experience. Great to spend time with you.
Thanks for sharing this Amelia! I have been super lucky (knock on wood and anything else to prevent jinx) in my life with injuries. I broke my toes and fingers a lot as an Olympic Taekwondo athlete....which kind of goes with the territory. Otherwise, no major breakage. That being said, my body is getting old and I actually think about injury prevention...a lot. I screwed up my Achilles last year and it was annoying me for a damn year.
Bone issues are something I have not thought a lot about, and I should. Being 48 years old, broken things just don't heal as well.
Thank you for sharing this. Truly, it's a gift because the more personal and specific the the more universal. Though I do not share the same history and I've not had bone issues, I can relate to so much.of it. The trying to do everything right, the deep desire to pursue difficult physical challenges, the bumping up against limitations, the despair in being unable to trust in the medical profession. It can be reeeallly hard to find your ground again, to trust your body, to trust people who are supposed to know what they're doing. But you will. With time you will heal on all fronts. Again, thank you for sharing your experiences. You've got this!
Proud of you for being so diligent and taking care of yourself. Sometimes even when we do our best shit just happens. It’s how we deal with it, change, adjust and roll forward. Nothing but love my friend…
I always appreciate your words Amelia. Clearly, as I digested this within 5 minutes of you posting. Anyway, you did what you could with the knowledge you had. I've been there too (not that you asked) and my less stress fracture, everyone (doctor, X-ray, MRI) told me I just had a swollen achilles...not a broken calcaneus. I hope you do find the answers: they why you got a stress reaction. And please don't give up running. It is clear you love it (although do give it up if you truly want too LOL, I am not demanding you run for me). Anyway, I hope you recover well and I hope you find the true whys that you lead you to the reaction. (and yes this comment is really all over the place).
thank you Hollie - means a lot
Thanks so much for writing this all out. I’m the one who wrote you on insta saying I was going on crutches for my own bone edema (mines in my knee on the tibia plateau). It absolutely sucks trying to trust you body again, trying to trust the imaging, and the doctors. I’m no stranger to bone injuries, or soft tissue injury, but finding things in an MRI round 2 or having a second pair of eyes read an old one and seeing “new” things on it is jarring.
Sending many healing thoughts from my couch and mobilegs to yours.
thanks Jenna! Right back at you
I also had a fasley read MRI in 2016 and shredding my ankle tendon. It's very frustrating and I am sorry you are going to this. I had a 12 week recovery for broken hip and pelvis and sacrum in 2020 after a bike accident. I have EDS and am very small because of it (in fact I had the dietitian come visit me in the hospital because they were worried about my low body weight). Miraculous ly I made a full recovery and came back stronger. I think you will too!!! Believe it.
thank you Susan! I can't imagine what that recovery was like!!
Thanks so much for this! Been following for a while since the rich roll podcast/ I’m a casual racer and attempted to increase mileage in 2020 and at mile 36 my femur snapped- I didn’t even know bc I had never broken a bone..... I’ve run multiple 50 k since and want to conquer my unfinished business with the 50- but to be honest I’m scared.....(I’m a mental health clinician by day- so I’ve got the tools).... thank you for your vulnerability..... life is never black and white....maybe one day I’ll wrap up my unfinished business and maybe I won’t....I just wanted you to know- your posts are always inspirational and real- and I’m so grateful for that!
Aw thank you! I am so sorry that happened to you - I can't imagine how scary that is!
Amelia, it was everything...it was painful, it was scary and it was a GIFT! I learned more about myself and my life and my body and my chronic illness during that time than any other time. It truly came into my life as a storm but cleared my path in many ways. I am holding space for you to feel the same with your recovery. It's a special time that won't last forever. And I know you want it to be over, but cherish it (I sometimes miss the person I was during my healing time). Big love! xo
Thank you for sharing this with us, your friends and admirers. I'm glad you are taking the time and steps you need to heal, and I hope to see you at some future Spartan.
Thank you, and I'll be around!
I had a stress reaction last summer in my femoral neck. Radiologist didn’t really see it but my doctor did thank goodness and I pulled from my race. I cannot imagine the level of pain you must have been in finishing that with a grade 4. You know in your heart of hearts you made the right decisions. A missed MRI reading isn’t your fault. You went with the knowledge you were given. Sending you all the healing vibes for a no pin recovery.
thank you Pam! You know, everything hurts so badly at the end of a 100, it's hard to differentiate to be honest...
I remember talking to you at the pool one evening during RAGBRAI about how I was glad you opted out of that second-to-last day, since it was so hilly and so hard. Then, a week or two later as I'm reading about the stress fracture you discovered after all that time with us in Iowa, I couldn't help but feel, "Crap...did your dedication to join us for even just the last few days of RAGBRAI make things worse in the end?!"
It's not like I feel personally responsible but, as part of the RAGBRAI crowd you were so dedicated to join, I feel like I gained something grand (meeting you and then having you make those wonderful videos for my friend) while you paid an awfully high price for being there.
If Ryan (and you) do show up at Javelina, I'll do my best to support both our teams (my friend as well as Ryan) to show my gratitude for your enthusiasm for all of us...runners, bike-packers, crewers, pacers, and lovers of living fully.
Thank you!! Yeah, not the greatest idea in hindsight (literally walking around on a broken bone), but I'm still glad I had the experience. Great to spend time with you.
Thanks for sharing this Amelia! I have been super lucky (knock on wood and anything else to prevent jinx) in my life with injuries. I broke my toes and fingers a lot as an Olympic Taekwondo athlete....which kind of goes with the territory. Otherwise, no major breakage. That being said, my body is getting old and I actually think about injury prevention...a lot. I screwed up my Achilles last year and it was annoying me for a damn year.
Bone issues are something I have not thought a lot about, and I should. Being 48 years old, broken things just don't heal as well.
Your wisdom, as always, greatly appreciated!
thank you!
Thank you for sharing this. Truly, it's a gift because the more personal and specific the the more universal. Though I do not share the same history and I've not had bone issues, I can relate to so much.of it. The trying to do everything right, the deep desire to pursue difficult physical challenges, the bumping up against limitations, the despair in being unable to trust in the medical profession. It can be reeeallly hard to find your ground again, to trust your body, to trust people who are supposed to know what they're doing. But you will. With time you will heal on all fronts. Again, thank you for sharing your experiences. You've got this!
Proud of you for being so diligent and taking care of yourself. Sometimes even when we do our best shit just happens. It’s how we deal with it, change, adjust and roll forward. Nothing but love my friend…