This trip has been amazing, maybe too amazing. It was probably time for Murphy’s Law to catch up with us. Unfortunately, Murphy arrived in the form of Ava skiing into a tree in Big Sky, Montana. Short story: nothing irreparable, we are very lucky; a broken patella (kneecap), broken nose and soft tissue damage to both knees.
Longer story; our trip to Big Sky had been going swimmingly. My parents spend a month here each year, an ideal spot for us to reconnect with family and enjoy downhill skiing. We found cheap flights out of Reno, parked the RV there and flew to Big Sky on January 15. We spent the last 10 days skiing our hearts out, hiking, ice skating and enjoying the company of my parents, my sister and her family. We also had the pleasure of meeting 3 sets of friends out here. Two sets of friends (one from business school and the other a childhood friend of Dan’s) drove out from the Missoula area to ski with us. And then, the icing on the cake, we happened to run into friends from Charlotte who were also out here on a vacation and we spent a day skiing with them. Like I said, great vacation.
Until Sunday. Sunday was supposed to be our last full day in Montana. We were geared up to spend the entire day skiing Big Sky’s seemingly endless supply of downhill runs. Our third run of the day was an easy one. We skied down “Mr. K,” a green slope, but diverted to “Harbor’s Half Pipe” mid-way along the run. Harbor’s isn’t a true half pipe. It’s more like a gully between two runs and is rated as easy. We had skied it a few times already. It’s a fun run, but a little hard to control your speed because you don’t have much horizontal space for turns. I was halfway down the run letting out gleeful whoops when I heard screaming coming from the woods on the high side of the gully. I managed to stop and ski-walk up the side of the gully and found Ava lying next to a tree screaming. Ava has been known to let out blood curdling screams for trivial, non-medical events, so I didn’t jump to panic. We usually let the screaming subside before we start the injury inquiry. But the screaming didn’t stop and Dan (who was right behind me) realized that her ski googles were broken, not a good sign.
I continued down the slope to find ski patrol and Dan stayed with Ava. My sister, brother-in-law and Greg were at the bottom of the run, they were in front of Ava and didn’t realize what had happened. They took Hazel while I took a lift up so I could ski back to the accident. By the time I returned to the scene, ski patrol was there. The ski patrol was 1st rate. Eventually 5-6 red jacketed personnel had Ava on a backboard and snugged in a patrol sled. Following ski patrol down the rest of the mountain was its own surreal moment. They fanned out in a V formation to clear a path and an uber competent member of the team skied her down (thanks Cathy Trainor for taking care of our girl!). An ambulance met us at the base of the mountain and had us down to the Big Sky ER in about 15 mins.
9 CT scans, 5 xrays and one MRI later we know that all of the damage will heal. The broken patella (left leg) will require surgery which will probably occur this week in Bozeman, MT. The broken nose won’t be evaluated till next Monday (the ENT needs the swelling to go down in order to determine if the fix is of the in-office variety or the surgical one). The good news is that her right knee – also a swollen mess – only has a substantial bone bruise – nothing broken or torn. She has trouble with crutches because she can’t put much weight on that right leg, but that will improve with time.
Ava is in great spirits, a little frustrated by her couch bound status, but otherwise charming various medical staff all over southwest Montana. We have temporarily hit pause on the trip. Plans are still evolving but at this point Dan and Hazel will probably resume the trip next week. Ava and I will play catchup in mid-Feb. after first heading back to Charlotte to start physical therapy and check in with her primary care doctor. We will update the blog next week once we are through surgery and know what’s next for the Muir-N-Slager clan.
No!!!!! Ava!! Oh man. I’m so glad it wasn’t worse than it was but yikes. Sending hugs to all of you and a kiss to Avacado.
Thanks Bekah! She is such a trooper, doing ok all things being even. Love,, C
Dear Ava,
We learned of your accident earlier today and are so happy to have your Mom’s detailed report. We love that you are smiling for the camera! We’re so sorry this has happened and we wish you a speedy recovery and return to your travels. Physical therapy is so important for the future health and use of your injured leg. Do what they tell you to do — it will serve you well. We send our love and healing thoughts.
Alice and Mike Olson
Thanks guys, i will pass along your PT wisdom. The trick will be trying to do PT on the road. I am sure we can work something out!
Wow! What a scary event. I’m so relieved it wasn’t more serious and sending positive thoughts for a quick and smooth recovery.
Thanks Elaine! Hoping all goes well so we can catch up with Dan and Hazel during our stop in Austin. Would love to see my Dell friend!!
That’s one huge crack in that tree!!
Ava appreciates your confidence in her ability to do reciprocal damage :). C
Amazing to see you smiling! Wishing you skilled doctors & a speedy recovery; one day at a time.
Thanks Shelby!
Give Ava our love….so sorry to hear about her accident. Hopefully she’ll recover quickly! Love….The Rhinehardt’s
Thanks guys, hope to see you when we are back in CLT!
Wishing you a speedy recovery Ava. Much love, your Andover, MA friends
Thanks Delia, will pass along your good wishes. Stay warm in MA, I am loving the snow in Montana but boy is it chilly! Slippery parking lots not ideal for learning how to crutch. C
Ava, wishing you a quick recovery! So sorry you have to deal with this on your trip. I’m super impressed by how tough and positive you as you deal with this.
Thanks friend, will pass along your wishes. C
Oh no,,,, Carolyn!!! So sorry this happened! Sending prayers for a quick recovery for Ava!! If you guys are going to be there for a bit, can you email me the address?
Thanks Michelle, what a hot mess! Will text the address, but we are thinking we may get out of here mid-week next week. Will come home for a few weeks to sort out PT. Ava would love to see Rosie when we are in town. C
Ava! You look like prizefighter after going a round with that tree. Kevin, the three pups, and I all wish you a speedy recovery from TN. Jennie
Thanks! Grateful for fixable things – I know you guys understand the sentiment. C
That’s so scary, but glad she is ok.
Thanks Ryan, appreciate it!
Ava, I would have been happy to have you stay here for a bit if you needed a break from the RV …😊 Feel better and keep smiling that beautiful, positive smile. As for the rest of the clan, big hugs to all of you too!!! Xoxo
You are too cute! Seriously what a way to get a break from the RV. Weirdly we all miss it. I will pass your thoughts to A.
Ava!!! Ow ow ow!!! I would have screamed too! What a scary tale but thankful that you lived to tell it. Sending careful hugs your way- don’t want to smush your sore spots. I know you are in good hands. Rest up and take it easy. Before you know it, this will all be in the rear view mirror and you will back to your dear Moby. You have three good caregivers there. Safe travels! Xoxo.
WOW, Carolyn I just read your full post – so glad to hear that she will ultimately be fine – but what a scary thing for Ava, You and Dan to go through. Tell Ava we’ll be sending prayers and positive vibes from little Rhode Island 🙂 Also lots of kisses from Josie specifically, Jude sends hugs, not kisses, just hugs.
Lol, tell Jude we appreciate “just hugs.” We made it through surgery number one on Thursday. Surgery number two is today. Hope you are feeling well, been thinking about you a lot as we go through our surgeries.