I guess this is the first month that I have not made a single contribution to the Challenges. I was on tour and as many of you know, and I thank you for your kind wishes, I was in the hospital. I can only can say, my BIGGEST PEEVE is that I have been in the hospital and off my bike so many times this year. For those who haven’t seen my journal over at CycleBlaze, here is a recap of my recent illness-related reason for not being on my bike.

The excitement started on Tuesday the 13th. I cycled to tai chi as usual, Janos met me after class, and we rode home together as usual. Almost home I felt a sharp pain in my groin. At home I quickly changed into my most comfortable pants and t-shirt and lay down, waiting for the pain to go away. But it got worse by the minute. Janos said it’s time to go to the emergency room and I agreed. We were off to Starnberg immediately,

I was in great pain while they made tests and tried to make a diagnosis. Around 6 pm the two doctors (names? I never got them) announced with relief that they knew what it was, some kind of hernia, I again didn’t catch the name, and that surgery would be necessary. I asked when, they said now. I was on the OP table and out almost immediately. When I came to I heard happy voices around me. The operation had been a success. It was a difficult situation and successful minimally invasive surgery wasn’t to be taken for granted. I was in intensive care until noon the next day adorned with oxygen mask, catheter, needles and electrodes. But I was fine. I was then taken to my room and spent the next few days in the hospital. I have now been home for five days.

So what did I have?
Obturator hernia , a rare anterior abdominal wall hernia, is an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction. It has one of the highest mortality rates of all abdominal wall hernias with a challenging diagnosis that can still be misleading even to the most experienced surgeons.

A popular name for it, and easier for me to remember, is little old lady hernia. Smile. It’s been a sobering experience and I am infinitely thankful to the medical team at the Starnberger Klinik for their correct diagnosis and successful surgery (the hospital had never seen an obturator hernia before), and also to my lucky stars, fate, destiny, kismet or whatever it was that was on my side.

I am not back on my bike yet, just taking my time, but am looking forward to normalcy – and no more health-related disappearances from Cycle365!