November 29, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my readers and their loved ones!  I hope that yours was a blessed one.  I have received several emails asking me to update my journal to keep the readers informed about the progress of my broken leg.  It has been 10 weeks since the date of my tibia/fibula surgery.  My recent doctor's visit was positive.  I am to remain in my boot until the end of December, but I'm allowed to wean myself off of my crutches....woo-hoo!  I am allowed to swim using my legs....double woo-hoo!  And...I am allowed to use the recumbent bike for thirty minutes.

So....immediately after my doctor's appointment, I went up to my fitness facility to walk the track.  I enlisted my friend, Matt Brennan, for his support.  I walked a mile without crutches, but it was like watching a one-year old learning to walk.  I didn't tumble, thanks to Matt, but my rolling boot and my lack of know-how caused quite a bit of unsteadiness.  My gait sort of resembled the hiker hobble.  I later learned that my physical therapist, Steve, watched from above and cringed.  I met with Steve the following day and he taught me the proper way to wean myself off of my crutches.

On Tuesday I swam 2,500 yards in the main pool and kicked 500 yards. The kicking is very slow.  Then I took advantage of the 88 degree therapy pool and walked laps.  That felt awesome!  Afterward, I went upstairs to the indoor track and walked ½ mile using a walker.  I use a walker on the days I swim because the pool area is slippery and the walker provides more security than the crutches (at least for me.)

My leg is healing and I am working hard to beat the monotony during my recovery.  I am expected to make a full recovery by March.  There are many folks at TriHealth who serve as my own inspiration.  But my biggest inspiration right now is my 76 year-young mom who is battling lung cancer.  She is a tiny little woman who literally ran circles around me on Thanksgiving, one day after chemotherapy.  Mom's physical and mental strength is awe-inspiring.  It's a Greek thing....strong body, strong mind.