Zen Buddist Saying:
“Miraculous powers and marvelous activities are
drawing water and hewing wood!” — P'ang-yun
drawing water and hewing wood!” — P'ang-yun
So, I got that Zen Buddist saying right off the web page for the Trout Lake Abby. Unfortunately, and fortunately, Kevin is staying there for a few days. For the past 2 days, his right knee has been really bothering him, with swelling and pain as he continues to pound through the tallis rock trails of Washington. He is about to enter the Goat's Pass Wilderness which descends into White Pass where his next resupply awaits him (mile 2303). He wasn't too concerned at first, as he really didn't remember having a specific "injury", but the swelling has continued and the pain is not subsiding too much on the challenging trails. He did leave Cascade Locks with an unusually heavy load as he wasn't planning a resupply for 7 days. Along with the heavy load, he put in some big downhill miles, with lots of pounding and uneven footing. I guess after 2200 miles, one's knees do get a bit battered, especially 55 year old knees!
Coming to a junction in the trail, he spotted "Krinkles" getting back on the trail. She had a ride from Trout Lake where she had spent a couple of zero days and did a resupply. Talking with her, he decided it would be best to catch a ride down to Trout lake and reevaluate his knee. The "brother" that picked him up was from the Trout Lake Abby. So that's where he went. When I talk to Kevin about what's happening there, it makes me think of the Sound of Music, atleast that's what I want to believe it's like! Here some lovely man picks up my husband, gives him acupuncture, chinese herbal rubs, meditation, and wraps his knee. (Kevin did take some Naprocin also!!! a little bit of Western medicine mixed with some Chinese medicine never hurt anyone?) Apparently, this brother also was a nurse in his other life. Along with Kevin, they both are feeling that the knee is not needing immediate medical attention. So 2 days of rest, more acupuncture, more Chinese herbal rubs, more elevation, compression and soaking.....we shall see. What we all need is lots of POSITIVE thinking.
Since we have a couple of "expert" knee kids, Shane spent quite a bit of time talking to his dad. Kevin was really down and out when I first spoke with him, but emotionally he is trying to cheer up and do what he has control over right now. That's to just REST the knee. Shane definitely has a way of getting through these bad times with the right "mind set." Lord knows he has had his share of knee setbacks. Let's hope that transfers to his dad.
Take a look at their website if you have a moment. It's pretty cool. The valley that surrounds Trout Lake is a huge organic farm. Chickens are running around and good food is abundandt. What more can you ask for during some much needed rehab?
Keep good thoughts going Chief's way. We will keep you all updated in the next few days.
Coming to a junction in the trail, he spotted "Krinkles" getting back on the trail. She had a ride from Trout Lake where she had spent a couple of zero days and did a resupply. Talking with her, he decided it would be best to catch a ride down to Trout lake and reevaluate his knee. The "brother" that picked him up was from the Trout Lake Abby. So that's where he went. When I talk to Kevin about what's happening there, it makes me think of the Sound of Music, atleast that's what I want to believe it's like! Here some lovely man picks up my husband, gives him acupuncture, chinese herbal rubs, meditation, and wraps his knee. (Kevin did take some Naprocin also!!! a little bit of Western medicine mixed with some Chinese medicine never hurt anyone?) Apparently, this brother also was a nurse in his other life. Along with Kevin, they both are feeling that the knee is not needing immediate medical attention. So 2 days of rest, more acupuncture, more Chinese herbal rubs, more elevation, compression and soaking.....we shall see. What we all need is lots of POSITIVE thinking.
Since we have a couple of "expert" knee kids, Shane spent quite a bit of time talking to his dad. Kevin was really down and out when I first spoke with him, but emotionally he is trying to cheer up and do what he has control over right now. That's to just REST the knee. Shane definitely has a way of getting through these bad times with the right "mind set." Lord knows he has had his share of knee setbacks. Let's hope that transfers to his dad.
Take a look at their website if you have a moment. It's pretty cool. The valley that surrounds Trout Lake is a huge organic farm. Chickens are running around and good food is abundandt. What more can you ask for during some much needed rehab?
Keep good thoughts going Chief's way. We will keep you all updated in the next few days.
http://www.tlabbey.com
Chief's wife
Chief's wife
