Everything is Unfolding Magnificently

When I ruptured my achilles 6 weeks ago I remember thinking, "Holy shit, I can't believe this happened to me AGAIN."  I also remember thinking it was a blessing and a curse that I knew what to expect. 

It was a blessing that at the time of rupture I knew what it was and I knew that it wasn't an emergency. No wasted time in an ER (or so I thought).

It was a curse because I knew it was going to hurt like an EM-EFfer and that I was going to experience a lot of frustration over the course of the healing process.

It was a blessing because I knew I had the hutzpah to get through it and come out better and stronger on the other side.

It was a curse because I knew how much I was going to have to ask for help… I hate asking for help :(

But what proved to be a huge blessing was that I have my old posts on this blog to look back on and help me make comparisons as well as stay on track for a strong comeback!

For ATR (Achilles Tendon Rupture) 2013 I used a different doctor from ATR 2010 because of scheduling (ok lets face it, because of my lack of patience - 2013 Doc could get me in sooner).  I now know that that was foolish of me, BUT, IT'S OK!!! EVERYTHING IS UNFOLDING MAGNIFICENTLY.  To be clear, I believe the 2013 doctor is a good surgeon, I'm just not as thrilled with his follow up care, hence my joy of having previous experience along with my good fortune of being able to look back at my documentation!

2010 Doc was very involved with my first several weeks of follow up.  2013 Doc says he's trying to save the patient from too many office visits… Well, I like hand holding… or Achilles holding… or any kind of holding following being sliced and diced.  I feel capable and confident, but I also feel like 2013 Doc is less approachable and doesn't really want to be bothered… I don't care to feel that way post op… thankyouverymuch.

This week I've noticed that I can put a little weight in my heel which made me curious as to when I became PWB (partial weight bearing) after the first go round.  Turns out it was week 4!!! I'm just about to week 5 post op!!! With no communication with my doctor for 2 more weeks, I feel kinda gypped with his approach.  But I remind myself that EVERYTHING IS UNFOLDING MAGNIFICENTLY. I am fairly in tune with my body AND I have all the information I need from my own past experience.

I have become a firm believer that everything happens for a reason (hence the mantra, "Everything is unfolding magnificently"). I believe that even though the tough times in life suck, they often lead to blessings that could only have been revealed by going through the tough stuff…Capiche? Capiche.

SO HERE'S SOMETHING EXCITING…  If my past blog serves me right I can look forward to being off the crutches in the next couple of weeks!!  

HERE'S SOMETHING SCARY…  The incision, compared to my last incision,  is not healing as well… It's healing, but not as nicely…

I will continue to be a model patient and I will continue to put faith in the mantra and I will believe with my whole heart that only good will evolve from this challenge.

With that being said and with the things I've been reading, not just my own gobbledygook, but more inspiring comeback stories, it's time to start planning THE COMEBACK GOAL!!! The first time I did this I was recovering alongside David Beckham and Kalin Lucas (MSU Basketball)…well, not actually, but via the internet. :P  My doctor told me not to expect much for a year.  Then I read about these dudes.  Becks, closer to my age, wasn't having such a great recovery, but 19 year old Kalin Lucas was making a great comeback focused on the NCAA championships… That's when I knew I needed a focus.  I set my goal for a 5k six months post op. It took me 31:09 to complete the Schrauger Memorial 5k… it wasn't pretty, more like a hobble than a run, but it got done and that felt good.

NOW, I see the stinker Kobe Bryant saying he's made a 3 MONTH comeback!!! 
http://tracking.si.com/2013/08/05/kobe-bryant-recovery-update/

I began to feel like a wuss after I read this, so I did a little digging and it turns out The Kobster will NOT actually be ready for the season opener which falls around his 6 month post op mark this week… The moral of the story is "YOU CAN'T RUSH IT."

SO IT STANDS… MY GOAL IS… First, to do no harm ;) to be patient and heal.  Second, to rehab, rebuild and restore. Third to walk and then run and then BOUNCE, JUMP, REBOUND!!!!  Oooh I just got excited there!!! I'm going to bounce again!!! 

O.K., O.K., let me not forget my first and second goals so soon.

The 5k I am leaning toward is the Corktown 5k in Detroit that generally falls the weekend before St. Patrick's Day.  A run and beer!!! I see no better incentive and no better way to celebrate!!!
I have a bigger goal in mind for my one year anniversary, but I'm not quite ready to share… 

Let's see how it all unfolds!!! 

A Trophy… I mean atrophy.  This is what I will measure against once I get to start to rebuild!

This is my healthy healing wilted kale and spinach with garlic and red peppers… which I chased with 3 powdered doughnuts and a beer… it's all about balance ;)

The boot and the girl at the Detroit Free Press International Marathon… GO TEAM!!! Cate and I are fans of people being fit and fighting cancer!
Cate worked the water station and the boot and I cheered real loud ;)

The boot and the cast at the Ear, Nose and Throat doctor… Of course ;P 
It's true, my baby boy is also on crutches

Have a glorious day and remember… EVERYTHING IS UNFOLDING MAGNIFICENTLY!!!