I had a spinal fusion 9 weeks ago, and I am still not walking very far. I thought by this stage I would be able to walk at least 6 kilometres. When I walk I have pain in my hip and my groin. I have started swimming and walking in the pool, and also see a Physio once a week. And a biokinetist twice a week. My concern is that I have booked and paid for my ticket to Biarritz. I plan to start walking from Navarrenx in France, (where I have arranged to meet my friends from Australia). We met in Orisson 5 years ago, and walked together to Santiago (meeting every couple of days).. And we have arranged to walk again this year. starting on the 3rd September.
I know I can walk with pain killers (I did it last time - I had two synovial cysts that were pushing on my sciatic nerve), and I could always send my pack ahead every day. And perhaps catch a taxi occassionally?
Do you think I am crazy? I know the Camino will always be there, and I still have 12 weeks to go before we start walking.
Anyone else walked with health issues. I will obviously monitor how I do closer to the time!
Thanks!
Maria;
I am in a similar situation, having had a horrific hip injury in February -- still healing. I did not break it, but I jammed my SI join and displaced it such that I ended up with: sciatic nerve impingement in the lower spine, and other nerve impingements in the sacral joint exit, blunt force bone bruising in the trochanter major, and muscle-tissue from the damage (A full cartoon-style, up in the air and then slammed down on ice, followed by a necessary walk out of the bush: 4km in snow-shoes). I was flat on my back for 7 weeks, gained 10 pounds, could not sleep for pain... all that jazz. I now have an annoying piriformis syndrome, but am improving to the point that its more annoyance than excruciating pain, numbness, tingling... etc.
And somewhere int eh middle of it all, I bought my next ticket to Spain to walk 400k (I did 800 n 2014). Spouse is doing SJPDP to Santiago, and I am meeting him in Sahagún when he gets there.
I did put medical insurance on it, but right now I have a bid in for a seat upgrade to a biz class lie-flat bed because of all the things that make the injury worse, it's long periods of sitting.
If I have to cancel, I will cancel but there are still 10 weeks to go until I fly. If you have 12 weeks, I think you can continue to heal, play it by ear, know that others with similar types of healing processes are going through similar assessments, and know that gentle exercise may help you to heal, as does the planning for Camino (there is actually significant research on how planning and preparing help the body to heal as we do the things we need to do mentally and physically to effect the "miracles" attributed to pilgrimage).
If it comes to it and the advice of your care providers is to delay your trip, remember that this road was built by the Romans during the expansion of the empire. It has been there over 2000 years and it will not disappear. Your friends will still be your friends, even if you can't meet up in person. And remember that it is *your* Camino. If you can walk 6 or 10 k but not more each day, there is no shame in taking a taxi. If you can walk the distance but not carry the lack, there is no shame in having Jacotrans assist you.
And I hoe that we both will find ourselves walking into Santiago in September.
Whatever you do, may the road rise to meet you.