I have been steadily climbing the mountain-face towards normalcy for some time now... and just as I thought I was about to reach the apex of this ascension, the grips above me vanished.

Left with no other option than to descend, I have equipped myself for the journey as best I can.

I am well aware of the fact that there is no way for me to settle at the camps of past accomplishments, and that there is nothing to be gained by attempting to re-build on the crumbling foundation of previous successes.

This is not a retreat.

In order for me to reach the summit, a new route must be devised... a route in which nothing has been over-looked, an expedition that commences beyond the depth of my being and stops nothing short of tearing through the skyline...

One step at a time.

Yesterday...

After hours of laying in a hospital bed and routinely being fed a 'cocktail' of oxycodone and extra strength ibuprofen to numb my hip, I was sent on my way with a referral to see a sports medicine doctor next week and a prescription of the same drugs to hold me over until then.

Luckily Alan was able to get me an appointment with a specialist at 5:30 this evening. Hopefully we can narrow down the cause of my pain and I can get back in the gym as soon as humanly possible.

I have a job to do.

UPDATE - I just got in from my assessment.

The good news is that my problem (although very painful) is an entirely manageable one. The bad news is that the treatment necessary for my recovery is not covered by OHIP and is extremely expensive.

The sponsorship hunt begins.