FlashBazbo

It has now been one month since the attack. Bleeding stopped on day 28. Blisters are still a problem. The hematoma is still grapefruit-sized. And now I'm sitting in a waiting room, waiting to have my leg ultra-sounded in a search for blood clots.

This is becoming a long journey. The dog owner likely doesn't remember that it happened.

ColinL

I remember that in this circumstance you had little/no opportunity to defend yourself, but are you getting your concealed carry license anyway?

FlashBazbo

I restocked my supply of bear repellant instead.

ravenmore

I'm probably going to get a carry permit (although I'd probably never shoot a dog). Not having a gun when you really need one is the ultimate suck.

FlashBazbo

It is day 44 since the dog attack. Today, I had a good follow-up visit with my surgeon. Progress has been much more rapid than he expected. (I'm glad he didn't tell me what he expected!) He attributes it to my level of conditioning. The leg still has issues (hematoma is still about 1/3 its maximum size), but he said the best way to deal with them is to get back on the bike, training hard as much as possible. I can do that. If there are no complications, that was my last visit.

I rode zone 3 flat rides Sunday and today. If all keeps going well, I plan to join the regular group ride this coming Sunday afternoon. I'm in "prep" phase training for the Fall cycling season.

ravenmore

way cool dude.

Clipped_in

Great news! Glad to hear you're really on the mend and back on the bike.

I admire your composure through this entire episode. I probably would have been fuming and seeking a pound of flesh. Good on ya!

009jim

Any animal (including humans) that attacks another without provocation must be shot. Preferably at birth.

CHAS

There are bad people and there are bad dogs.
Dogs can be genetically bad just as some people are.
Good owners can raise bad dogs, but good owners do permit the bad dog to cause damage.
"Good owners" sometimes take the bad dog to the pound, where it is adopted by some irresponsible so and so.

FlashBazbo

Follow-up: It's been awhile since I was here last. I declared the leg fully healed in late May -- 6 1/2 months after the attack. It was back to full strength and I was winning some sprints in the local bike club. It still has a hematoma -- a fraction of its original size -- that won't go away. It only causes occasional problems when running. No big deal. Just a reminder.

What really didn't heal was a PTSD-type thing. I couldn't ride the bike without being anxious about dog attacks. With all the large loose dogs and packs of dogs in this area, riding lost its appeal. In late May of last year, I sold my bikes, my tools, my apparel -- everything. I went counter-trend and became a runner. (And I used the money from the sales to buy a motorcycle.)

But . . . I'm back here because I'm strangely tempted to give cycling another try. I will carry bear repellant and (if need be) a pistol and I will stay with my group -- at least until I get over the anxiety. (Every rider in my group bought pistols after my attack and they still all carry on every ride.) I'm in the market for my next bicycle. Anyone want to buy a BMW adventure bike?

ColinL

I would get a used MTB and a used road bike and see how you like it. Don't need a group to ride MTB trails... but the pistol might not be a bad idea, depending on your local wildlife.