Ellen's Condition

[NormaR]

thanks for the updates. glad to hear Ellen is doing better. she sounds like an awesome woman. can't wait to meet her someday.

[KathyW]

Yes, Cynthia thanks for the updates. It's really nice to know that Ellen is starting to heal after that very difficult weekend she went through.

[magikwalt]

Well now...If she's starting to hike around with supports then perhaps she's in need of some pork ribs in her diet to help round out the menu a little. She can't have a steady diet liquid barley without a little pork.

I'm going to whoop up a special treat for her. I'll have to make like Perry and ZippetyDude to sneak them in to the room.

"The Desert Sun reports that someone who visits the summit of San Jacinto at 8,500 ft was caught today selling BBQ Ribs inside the hospital."

[Cy Kaicener]

Walt - Dont forget the Smarties. Ellen loves them.
Cynthia - Thanks for the updates. Ellens hiking friend Laura from the Whitney board sends her best.

[AlanK]

As for her broken leg--yesterday Ellen "hiked" around the ward in a walker (probably outrunning her nurse/keeper) and already she has begun bugging the PT to allow her to "Upgrade" to crutches.

I hope that she gets the crutches soon. I had a dream last night that I saw a woman with a walker about halfway up Skyline, ascending rapidly. I think she was trying to rescue a couple of lost Marines. I think that crutches would work better, although I advise Ellen to wait at least a week before attempting Skyline.

[Cy Kaicener]

Allan - I think there are special crutches for the snow that help people in Alaska and Scandinavia
Here is more on Ellen - Its not what you will be expecting
http://www.cruciblefitness.com/nutrition/bio.htm

[Hikin_Jim]

Wow. Who knew?

Our Ellen is pretty accomplished. Did I read that correctly? Ironman Triathalon? OK, now I don't feel bad that she's so much faster than I am.

I might actually have to get a copy of that EATING FOR ENDURANCE book that she's written.

[Hikin_Jim]

I understand, from someone that visited her, that Ellen will be released from the hospital sometime today.

[cynthia23]

Friday morning update: Ellen will be leaving the hospital later today and returning home to Riverside and her family support system. She's doing well, although the frostbitten fingers continue to be a concern. She has been doing PT around the hospital floor and has already made plans for her PT next week at the sports clinic she sometimes works at. She has a permit to do Whitney this summer and so that is her "recovery timeline"--she's bound and determined to be hiking again by then. And knowing ever more about Ellen, I am in no doubt she will ... although as Alan points out, maybe what we really need her to do is stay posted on Skyline in order to rescue the weekly contingent of poor helpless Marines. Yesterday I learned more about her ascent of Acongua (sp?) and as Cy points out in his link, she really is a very accomplished athlete, with her background in Ironmans. So her survival of this ordeal is more explicable. And speaking of the ordeal, today I learned that the trauma docs believe she lost three pints of blood. On a less serious note, I also accidentally got to see what lying immobilized on an uncushioned wooden bunk will do to a human backside--Ellen is a MASS of black and blue. Ouch!

I agree with MagikWalt that some barbecue is in order ... I'm thinking that the beginning or middle of March might work, if we do it at my house in Rancho Mirage--anyone want to suggest a plan, dates, menus, ideas? How about a potluck---in which every dish must incorporate one can of Cream of Mushroom soup. For dessert--sardines!

Ellen has said that tomorrow she will be posting herself, although maybe fairly briefly, depending on how well her fingers work. Until then, I know she wants to tell you all how much she has appreciated your warmth and support ....many thanks to all who visited, called, or sent their good wishes!

[magikwalt]

Ellen is on the move. I stopped by today and dropped of a rack of ribs just as they we give her the boot...the walking boot that will protect her ankle during journey home.

I made her promise to let me cook a fresh set of ribs for her that would come straight from the bbq pit, be brushed with a little sauce and then on to her plate. Transported ribs, even when covered with a bbq sauce spike with Jack Daniels still don't match fresh from the pit.

She seemed ready to get out of there and promised to post soon.