Actually, I read somewhere that something like 40% of people who turn back on the Appalachian Trail do so because they ran out of marijuana. I don't know if that statistic is true or not, (though somehow I suspect it might be a wee bit inflated) but either way, Mary Jane seems to be a constant part of culture on the trail. It'll be interesting, as someone who does not and doesn't plan to smoke pot. I suppose that's a post for another day, though...
Today's post is about other joints. Articulations of bones that allow for musculo-skeletal movement.
I remember 6 years ago, in 7th grade, I was in Botany class, finishing up some notes on how to plant something. When the bell rang, I threw my notebook into my backpack and stood up to move to my next class. In the process of exiting my seat, I hit the inside of my kneecap on the corner of the table. I remember it hurting quite badly, but I didn't have time to stop and look at it. I only had 4 minutes to make the 5 minute walk to class, and I did not want a lunch detention.
I remember 6 years ago, in 7th grade, I was in Botany class, finishing up some notes on how to plant something. When the bell rang, I threw my notebook into my backpack and stood up to move to my next class. In the process of exiting my seat, I hit the inside of my kneecap on the corner of the table. I remember it hurting quite badly, but I didn't have time to stop and look at it. I only had 4 minutes to make the 5 minute walk to class, and I did not want a lunch detention.
Partway through the walk, I felt a little *pop* in my knee, and felt a strange sliding sensation as my kneecap slid back to where it was supposed to be. Suddenly, the pain was significantly reduced. Sure, it was still sore, but I didn't feel like I was limping around like a drunken zombie anymore.
When Mom picked me up from school that day (lunch detention-free) I told her about what happened. Neither of us had been aware of me dislocating anything before, though in hindsight I do remember experiencing aches and pains that seemed disproportionate to the normal growing pains that my classmates felt. That afternoon, we went to an Urgent Care center. After listening to my story and looking at xrays, the doctor told us to go home and research Marfan Syndrome and other connective tissue disorders (CTDs)
It became apparent pretty quickly that I didn't have Marfan, given the fact that folks with Marfan are noticeable for their tall stature (Abe Lincoln had MS) whereas I am not. However, in all my mom's research, one other condition seemed to keep coming up more often than any other: Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).
EDS is actually an umbrella term for a group of conditions that are all linked by the production of faulty collagen (the body's main building block). There are quite a few classifications of EDS (Wikipedia lists 14), though it is usually limited to the 6 most common types (listed in order of prevalence):
- Hypermobile (Type 3)
- Classical (Types 1 &2, mostly differentiated by degree of skin involvement)
- Vascular (Type 4)
- Kyphoscoliosis (Type 6)
- Arthrochalasia (Types 7A & B)
- Dermatosparaxis (Type 7C)
-I will make a post giving more details about what EDS is and the individual types in the near future-
Within a few months, I had been officially diagnosed by a geneticist with Hypermobile type EDS. HEDS is characterized by extreme flexibility (I've been called triple jointed), a relatively low degree of weakened skin, and unstable joints that dislocate or subluxate (partial dislocation) frequently.
Of course, because nothing medical is ever really straight forward, everyone with HEDS has a different experience. In my specific case, it could be said that I have a relatively minor case of EDS. However, that is not to say that it is a minor condition. I still dislocate and subluxate joints more than most people (generally to the tune of 1 major joint/month) and my skin stretches and scrapes like nothing else. As an added bonus, a related condition called Keratoconus has left my 90% blind (Dr.'s words) in my left eye, due to the huge amounts of collagen that help make up the cornea.
I would never say that I have been blessed with this minor manifestation of EDS (is it possible to be blessed with something like EDS?) I do recognize, though, that I am incredibly fortunate that with physical therapy (~1 year with a pro, and on my own since then) I am able to treat my EDS as a factor more often than as a disability.
So, this is generally the point where people look at me like I'm some kind of fool for even considering this hike. And I think to some degree, they might be right; If I were to dislocate a knee or blow out my back in the middle of nowhere, it could potentially be a dangerous situation. I recognize this completely, and in no way do I want to minimize that danger by ignoring it. However, I fully intend to minimize it by preparing.
This summer, I took a 9 day course at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (coincidentally, on the AT) to become a Wilderness First Responder. This certification means that I've been formally trained to handle most situations that might be encountered in a wilderness setting, ranging from minor scrapes and burns, up to dislocations, fractures, frostbite, or even emergency childbirth (though I'm not terribly worried about needing to perform the latter)
Along with this certifications, I will always be carrying a cell phone with extra batteries, extra food, and I am currently setting up contact with people who live along the whole trail and are willing to provide assistance if I find myself deep in it.
Along with this certifications, I will always be carrying a cell phone with extra batteries, extra food, and I am currently setting up contact with people who live along the whole trail and are willing to provide assistance if I find myself deep in it.
And of course, there is the ever-present possibility that I will need to stop hiking. I am determined to do this hike, but if I feel that I am doing permanent damage to my body or that I am in immediate danger, I'm not so determined that I won't abort the hike completely. My life and health are always top priority.
Anyway, that's a brief synopsis on my journey with EDS, and how it pertains to the trip. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to leave a comment or shoot me a message on Facebook!
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