Re: [Paddlewise] A Different Storm

ralph diaz wrote:

> Doug,
>
> It is good to see that you are okay.  I remember how kind you were to pass
> on to me that old mag clip about Klepper paddling in Alaska and our phone
> conversation a year or two back.  Also thanks for all the hairy tales of
> your extreme adventures albeit...they were only extreme in the conditions
> not in your level of preparedness.

Thanks ralph for the note regarding preparedness. I was going to back off
anything too extreme this year in deference to my family and body which isn't
getting any younger. I think those who practice karate understand this concept
with respect to honoring one's body: as the body grows older, karate students
move to higher levels of orchestrated maneuvers so as to minimize potential
injury. Speaking of preparedness, my brother-in-law joined the CG Auxiliary, and
now gets to chase down kayakers in distress. We had a big blow just before
Christmas, and two intermediate paddlers had taken out a new female paddler.
They were blown off-shore and were in trouble big-time. Inappropriate apparel
also was noteworthy. He really had a hard time understanding the mentality (he's
actually ruined Christmas dinner in the past berating me too - but always
conceded my prep levels)..

>  Sorry to see you laid up with such a
> horrendous malady.  Luckily for you, you are a fairly beefy fellow (form
> your fotos) to begin with and so ...  Imagine Twiggy having your ailment and
> losing as much as you have! :-)  (The Twiggy reference no doubt ages me!)
>
> Glad you are back and in good spirits.  Canadians are always wonderfully
> upbeat.  I know.  I have been married to one (an Albertan) for, god, 40
> years this coming June!!!

Well, I was a bit of a wimp in my last post. I hadn't slept a wink due to
extreme chest sidewall pain. After two nights of it (my first two nights after
discharge) I finally headed to emergency (I'm getting better at seeking help)
and spent the day with the CT scanner looking for blood clots. I'll be there the
rest of today too. I'm still looking forward to the first paddle of 2002, and
will definitely be seeking the help of friends at first. Thanks for the
interest, and sorry for any complaint. Compared to folks with brain injuries,
cancer, infections of hip joints, the folks I heard crying through the night in
the burn unit, or the folks in Victoria that lost limbs, lives, male
reproductive organs, etc., I survived very well indeed.

> carinos,
>
> ralph diaz

May the wind always be at your back,

Doug

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