When? It’s the big question. When will I be cycling out of Dakar following the machete attack that left gashes in my left wrist and foot just over a week ago? I’ve been asking myself this every day since waking up from the operation. The simple and frustrating answer is I don’t know.
The good news is that I’m walking again. For the first three days following the attack I took permanent residence on my host’s sofa. When crutches finally became available (courtesy of the magical French woman who rescued me at the roadside) I was already hobbling around, and soon after walking with a limp. This is fast disappearing.
There is no significant damage resulting from the machete slash to my foot. In fact my left sandle appears to have taken the full brunt, with a deep cut into the side of the rubber sole. “You will need some new sandles then”, is the first thing my Mum said when I told her.
It is my wrist that’s the problem. The doctor paid his first visit three days after the operation, confirming that three tendons had been severed. These are the tendons that control my three middle fingers. At first I couldn’t move them, but the doctor reassured me in saying there would be no permanent damage resulting from the wounds. The nerves were left untouched and over the past several days I have gradually been able to move these fingers with increasing mobility.
When I asked how long it would be before I could ride my bike the answer was one month minimum. Perhaps if I was riding an unladen bike for 10 minutes in a park this would be the case. As much as I’d like to prove myself wrong, I feel the reality of cycling on African roads on a solo trip of this nature means the time period will be much longer. I won’t leave Dakar until I’m 100%++ fit and strong. For anyone reading who feels they can offer a second opinion, be it medical-based or just an experience of having damaged/torn tendons before, I would appreciate your comments here.
My wrist is in a bandaged splint and will be for the next two weeks. Following that it will require a lot of physiotherapy to regain the strength and mobility I need to continue. The thought of the tendons twinging and breaking again out on the road makes me nervous.
The patience required to get through this healing process may be one of the greatest challenges I’ll face on this trip. It’s a challenge I’ve never encountered.
I’m still heading to The Gambia to meet my Mum on April 6th. It’s a holiday she booked months ago and the distance from here is short. I will leave the bicycle and most of my gear in Dakar and have a clearer idea after that two week holiday of an estimated date of departure.
The hospitality, generosity and support of my hosts here has made life in Dakar unimaginably more comfortable than had I been returning to a budget hotel following my discharge from the hospital. In fact I probably would have gone home, and if full recovery is likely to be many months away rather than weeks, this may be a better option. It is something I have yet to decide.
The police have yet to report back on the theft of my SLR camera and other belongings. This comes as no surprise. My insurance won’t cover full cost of the camera equipment, but as photography plays an important part in the trip I’m reluctant to make do with a cheap point-and-shoot.
Rather than sitting around feeling sorry for myself and thinking where I might now be had I let go of those bags, I’m determined to use this recovery time constructively. Studying French, researching ways to improve my photography, editing videos from the clips I’ve taken over the months, writing gear reviews and possible articles – there’s much that can be done whilst those tendons are on the mend.
If there is something you’d like to ask, about any aspect of the trip or website, please don’t hesitate to get in contact. Now is as good a time as ever to catch my attention.
I’ll continue tweeting over the days and weeks and be sure to post back with more news on my recovery. Remember you can always receive this post as an e-mail by subscribing to the newsletter.
Donations to the Against Malaria Foundation are greatly received and always a boost to the motivation of the journey – 100% of funds go on the purchase of insecticide treated mosquito nets.
Before closing I want to thank those who’ve left comments in the previous post. It’s really encouraging and motivating to read all the well-wishes and know that people are following the journey.
Comments
Hello Peter,
All the best in your recovery and glad to see you are getting some R&R in Gambia. I am sure it is much needed and a way of collecting yourself again. I am sure know know you have many following you and wishing you well, let the good vibes help with your state of mind and healing.
I really appreciate your posts as my husband and I plan to embark on a world cycle tour starting next Spring and Africa is on our list. It’s a good reality check for us with planning.
Wishing you well,
Karen
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Hi Pete,
Just saw the links on the LP forum about your recent problems in Dakar. I’m very sorry to hear about it and hope that you make a full recovery as soon as possible and can get back on the bike soon.
Go well,
Julian
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“Adventure is a path. Real adventure – self-determined, self-motivated, often risky – forces you to have firsthand encounters with the world. The world the way it is, not the way you imagine it. Your body will collide with the earth and you will bear witness. In this way you will be compelled to grapple with the limitless kindness and bottomless cruelty of humankind – and perhaps realize that you yourself are capable of both. This will change you. Nothing will ever again be black-and-white.”
Comment by Amar Sheth — September 30, 2009
(I came across this and made me think of you!)
Rock on my man..Your an inspiration!
Eric Earthship Crew…
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Peter, that’s GREAT news on the prognosis!
Dave
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Hi.
First of all. Thank your God you wasnt cut on the palmar side of your arm/hand. Flexiontendons heal with a lot more complications.
This is what i researched on my last semester classes on handsurgery: The tendons should be sutured. Wear a cast for 4 weeks. After 1 week you start to move the outer two finger joints. It is common to have adherence between the tendons and the skin, this is usually not a big problem as the skin is loose and mobile. The most important thing with injuries that requires immobilization of the hand is early mobilisation of the fingers. This is to prevent joints going stiff, this it seems you already have been informed on.
The sum up is that a severed exstensor tendon has a good prognose. partly immobilized for 4 weeks. Then it should be healed, it is hard to advice on how much force it can withstand. I think usually the limiting thing is reduced mobility in the hand after the cast. It can take up to 6 weeks for a tendon to heal, it takes more time than flesh due to less blood supply.
/H (med student)
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Peter Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 1:52 am
@Henning, Thanks Doc. I read that severing the flexor tendons was worse. Physiotherapy is going to be key. The cast/splint is on for another 2+ weeks.
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Glad to hear you’re on the mend – take your time and stay positive!
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Wishing you all the best and a quick recovery, turn this negative into a positive (as you seem to be doing!). On a bike tour I always find that the most negative moments and experiences inevitably bring out the very best soon after. You’re able to recover, study, write articles, reflect that you’re thankfully alive, have all your digits, and get to know the amazing hospitality of those helping you out now. Stay positive! You were a big inspiration on my Japan Bike Tour and you’re being an inspiration to many others now.
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Hi Peter,
you’re an inspiration and I’m sure you will recover soon. It will be a great story to tell in coming years ;-) I have certainly learned a lesson here for our own bike trip (UK-Australia) starting in May: Always let go of the bags if a guy with a machete wants them…
Freddie
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Pete, I’ve been enjoying reading your blog/twitter posts. But “Lets see if the hassle/hustle is as bad as reputed” was horribly prophetic. (March 12th)
When?
Sounds like you are mulling this over, and have reservations. Some important questions to ask yourself: Would I start such a journey even 1 month after suffering these injuries? When will I be able to change an inner tube? Can I cycle one handed? Will my insurance still cover me? Will I cope “Bouncing along on a narrow track”?(Top Ten Myths). How would I handle my recovery without time pressures?
I think it is beneficial that you have a holiday, before having to make the decision, but don’t let your heart rule your head. Your journey is already a great success.
best wishes for a full recovery.
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Peter Reply:
March 24th, 2010 at 1:48 am
@Jon, Thanks for your thoughts. There is no way I’m thinking of starting out after only 1 month, and cycling one-handed to rest my wrist would just be an accident waiting to happen. I hadn’t thought of the insurance issue. As for changing inner tubes – those Schwalbe XRs are doing a pretty fine job.
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I hope you can keep going, but that hand looks painful. It will take bottle to get back on and carry on but you have already proved you have plenty of that.
All the best, good luck.
Alan
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Having been totally inspired by your Crazy Guy \ Big Africa journals and photos, can you pencil me in for £10 in the “Buy Pete a New Camera” fund!
Send me a direct Tweet to @StuWitterer when you want to cash this in.
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Peter Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:50 pm
Big thanks Stuart. I can e-mail you my Nationwide account details – or send across Paypal instructions. Still a little unsure on the latter
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Bloody hell, that looks nasty!
All the best. I really admire your spirit in going on!
Amazing courage.
All the best
Simon
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Have asked the nurses at work to have a read of this. Will report back. Meantime, I hereby pledge 25 quid of my own money towards a new camera if you do carry on.
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Peter Reply:
March 23rd, 2010 at 1:46 pm
@Tim, That’s very kind of you. Probably going to order a replacement SLR camera this week. Interested to hear what the nurses say.
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