Well I officially crutched and hobbled my way into 2017. The holidays are usually my favorite time of year, but this year they were a bit challenging! I havent been on two feet (without a boot) since October! My injury chaned my day to day life quite a bit!
Before this injury I had never had a surgery. In years past I had rolled my ankle a few times causing me to spend a few days on crutches, but not 8 weeks!! October 27th - Ruptured my achilles Novemeber 1st - FINALLY after a long weekend I get my MRI November 3rd- Review MRI with doctor and plan for surgery November 8th - Surgery November 21st - After wearing an uncomfortable wrap I get my stitches out and I am back to the boot. December 22nd - I am able to ditch the crutches and walk in my boot. Days I am looking forward to: February 2nd - I will finally stand with my right shoe on again!! Closer to summer - I should be able to run again. October 27th - I might be back to full strength again! I think through the process I have had a pretty positive attitude, but I would be lying if I said it has been fun.. Some days have been really really dark. But as I look back it seems like it all happened a life time ago! But here is what I learned through the process. I am a mere human: This process has seemed to drag on. I went from working out everyday and living an active life to the couch. But in reality it has only been about two months. In the big picture of life this time will escape me and all that will be left is a scar. Most days I was down in the dumps and frustrated with my situation. I could have sat here for two months and pouted through it all. But if I sat here and cried and ate ice cream that wouldnt have changed my situation. Instead I hopped around the house and learned to live on one foot. My life went on! I just had to adjust and move at a slower pace. Weakness: When this injury occured I actually looked up the story of Achilles. His story is that when he was a baby his mother knew he would die at a young age. So to help him be stronger she dipped him in some water. As his mother put her baby in the water she held him be his ankle so his heel never went in the water. He grew into this strong war hero that won many battles. But, he was struck by a poisonous arrow in the heel and died. I probably was getting over confident with my abilities and needed some serious humilty. My injury was also on my right foot so I couldnt even drive!! I needed the reminder that I am a human and that my life is so short! Every day holds such potential and I need to remember who gives me those new days! Patience!! Whenever I had surgery I looked forward to getting the stitches out. When I was on crutches I counted the days until I could walk. This process has continued as I hit the next check point. But I noticed something that was extremely frustrating! Whenever I got close to my next step people would say, "Oh that isn't bad! You're getting close." Getting close?? I almost wanted to hand them my crutches and say, "You do this for 8 weeks and say it isn't that bad!" I wasnt acutally upset because I know this is just my frustrations talking and those people meant the best for me! But it was hard to hear from people who would say that and then walk off perfectly healthy. A few times I met people who had the same injury and they would say something like , "Oh no! That is the worst!!" When I started phsical therapy there was a guy there who had the same procedure 4 weeks before me. As we continue our workouts we encourage each other and he will say, "I know where you're at. You will get here." That is so good to hear!! It makes a total difference to hear basically the same thing from someone who has gone through the same expereince. People who have gone through horrible things can find strength from others who conquered it! Jesus came down and lived on this earth. HE was hungry, thirsty, tempted. He knows this life and this world. He is telling us, "I know where you are. I can lead you somewhere better. Trust me." It seems really hard at times to trust Him, but when we do it changes everything!! As hard as this experience has been I am somewhat thankful for it. It knocked me straight on my back. With it I had to depend on others help. My pride took a beating over this experience and for that reason I hope I never forget it. We all have scars and scratches from life experiences. Sometimes we have to evaluate the injury and others have to help us through them. In my case this injury plunged me into isolation where I had to reach out, but I also still had to do a lot on my own. Wherever you may be in life right now take a few breaths and enjoy it. We are here but a brief moment and then we are gone. It is completely okay to ask others for help. Be open to helping others as well. And if you know someone is struggling please reach out to them! Thanks y'all! Happy New Year!
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AuthorMy name is Andrew Berry! I am just living my life chasing after Jesus and trying to point others to Him. Archives
January 2017
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