Physically, nothing remarkable has taken place other than a slight increase in dorsiflexion of the peg leg. I do have to say that “stretching” the newly sewn Achilles feels like pulling gum off carpet…the Dr. must have used superglue to adhere tendon to bone. Other than that, heat, ice and elevation have been continued religiously. Physical Therapy exercises of picking up marbles with my toes (extremely difficult) and water balancing in the warm water therapy pool with nobody under the age of 75 have continued as well. Penelope the Personal trainer has changed up the upper body workout AND….I am cleared to ride the bike, with the boot…yeah it looks a little crazy. I think when you keep asking the Physical Therapist “when can I ride the bike”, soooo many times, they just give in so that you will keep quiet. Either that, or she does not want to hear the wrath of her Dunkin Donuts Breakfast choices:) Riding the bike for the first time in 6 weeks was a miracle. I think my first reaction was…the boot is kinda heavy and awkward then…WoW…I forgot what it was like to sweat! I think the bike is going to be significant in my recovery as the muscles I once had in my calf and quads, have mysteriously migrated to my abdominals. I am not complaining and Penelope thinks it because of the swimming. It could be? Or it just that I do acrobats on my crutches.
Mentally, Ha…well that is another story. I do have to say that it is very humbling, albeit frustrating, that having only one functioning leg makes many simple tasks a lot longer to do. The overall injury hasn’t limited me in any activities that I wanted to do…going out to dinner, movies, Celtic Games, parties, etc.- the boot just makes for a great conversation piece, not to mention the amount of strangers that come up to chat with me. I do appreciate all those “war stories” of others injuries, some of them pale in comparison to what I have. Needless to say, I was hitting a wall going into my 5th week because it is still two more weeks till I can kick the crutches to the curb…well that all depends on how well I critique the Dr.’s diet, after all I did treat him for low blood sugar (he is a diabetic-type 1). However, hearing from friends, family, and clients (even those you don’t hear from that often have been so supportive). Some individuals have truly stepped up to the plate…helping with errands or even stopping by for a visit, calling everyday… the people in my life are amazing.
Let’s just say that I have been athletic (and thankfully) never had an injury my whole life. Through any sport…gymnastics, soccer, basketball, softball, racquetball, squash, shuffle board, etc.- the only thing I have ever had was a dozen sprained ankles and somewhat of a fractured collarbone. So this fitness hiatus is new and is really hard for me. I am not the type that lounges around or for that matter can sit still for more than 2 minutes. Matter of fact, I am quite the opposite…I don’t watch TV all that much, I can only sit in my office for so long before I have to get up and multitasking- it is a hourly habit. So, what does one learn living outside an “active” comfort zone…
EXTREME PATIENCE In times past, I would have play through injuries…however, with an Achilles repair, the leg is in such a fragile state that one “slip up” can cause more damage and set me back additional weeks. I don’t ever want to go through this again (and apparently, those who tear an Achilles are more likely to tear the other Achilles). Set me tell you, this Achilles has truly put my patience, or lack there of, to the test. I would say if this happened to me 5 or 6 years ago…all hell would have broken lose I would be a basket case.
I honestly believe that this injury was more of a “gentle reminder” from the man upstairs rather than an accident. So, for those that believe “everything happens for a reason,” it is matter of you figuring out with time. Instead of blaming “God,” or asking “why me”-it is about the silver lining. Not that a major surgery needed to send a few messages but everything does happen for a reason and for those who think “everything happens for no reason”…you have some explaining to do.
So back to patience. According to Merriam…patience is “the bearing of pains or trials calmly or without complaint.” Huh…makes me wonder if Merriam ever tore her Achilles. I am realizing through forced sendentarism, that my life, pre-injury was like Flash Gordon. I was always in a rush…I would get out of bed in the morning and was in my car within 10 minutes. Now, I can sing “Patience” by GNR 8 times by the time I leave the front door until I start the car. Pre-injury, driving to work was like the Indy 500. Now, I just let the Massholes trying to merge over to route 93Bostoncross over from the designated Route 3 lane. I am not missing much at work at 5:30 am… my job is going to be there whether I arrive 30 seconds later than expected. Before peg leg, I would hustle through my workout. Now, I have slow groove walking pace (not on purpose but from the walking boot) from one exercise to another. Everything in my life was fast-paced relationships, conversations, etc…I was going 95 MPH and not stopping once. But think about… In today’s world of ‘instant everything’, technological advancements…all of which have allowed us to obtain, experience, and consume practically anything we want – almost immediately. Life is at breakneck speed… instant mashed potatoes, fast food, drive-thru coffee, IM, internet. I mean how many times you click the mouse because the internet is not moving “fast” enough. I guess somehow along the line -I lost my patience.
I actually like patient Kim. I am more relaxed, less stressed and overwhelmed. I appreciate those around me (that much more!) and take things as they come. No more “by the seat of my pants”. Life is more enjoyable at a snails pace.
So, how much longer do I have on crutches 😉
kimtrudelrd 