I take much better care of my body now. I guess I figured pre-surgery that my body was such a mess anyways, what did it matter if I played through injuries? Now, with a new ankle, and a "second chance" (as overdramatic as it sounds), I'm much smarter. I stay off my injuries, I am getting all the vitamins my body needs, I do my best not to eat processed foods and I see a muscle activation therapist weekly who helps my body keep pace with my crazy active lifestyle. :)
Even as I write this, I still can't believe that I haven't gotten back on that field. One of my main goals was to play again. But again, things have changed. I fell into a position as a Group X Instructor, and it's taken over. Definitely one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I realize it's much more important for me to help others change their lives than it is to score a goal. Do I miss soccer? Absolutely. But as more time goes by, I think about it less and less. It does help to just stay away from all elements of it. I guess it's like relapsing from a drug. It's best to just keep it out of your environment, so you're not tempted to do it again.
I've been a Group X Instructor at 24 Hour Fitness now for over a year. The class of 5 that I started with has grown to 60+, I teach two classes for 24 Hour and will be starting at Equniox here in the next couple weeks. :)
Oh, and one more little thing... I've now beat my pre-surgery race times. All except for one. :) But I like that there's always something to work for. :) Here's to another year!
Cheers!
For more support/stories, check out our group on facebook: Calcaneal Osteotomy
12 comments:
Congratulations!! You really do get a second chance on everything!
I can not thank you enough for keeping this blog. I have had the same exact procedure and am currently 4 weeks post op. I currently feel as if I will never run again, but your.story truly gives me hope! Thank you again!
@Jakie Kay-You are more than welcome! I am glad that the blog has given you hope! You will definitely run again, you'll be a stronger person than you were pre-op in more ways than you can think of right now! 4 weeks post-op is so incredibly tough, but hang in there!! :)
@Daver-definitely, and congrats to you as well!!
Hello,
I just wanted to say thanks for giving me a little more hope. I completely dislocated my ankle and I have never been able to run the way I used to since the injury. I recently had a Brostrom repair and while the ankle feels a little better, I'm still not running right. I know my body and there's something that's still not right.
I'm going to get a 2nd opinion with another doctor but I'm really at the end of my rope. I used to be an athlete and I used to enjoy running but now I hate it because it doesn't feel like I'm doing anything when I go out there. But after reading this, I've gotten a little bit more hopeful that something can be done. Congratulations on your recovery. I can't wait to be able to run just like you are in that picture.
Hey R! HANG IN THERE! I had gotten through all of the physical therapy, all the recovery, the doctor had cleared me and I still didn't feel "right." That was when I started to see a muscle activation therapist who seriously changed my life. If you can find someone like that, it will be well worth your time and money! I had a permanent limp even though I was "healed" and the MAT was able to fix that and other things I didn't even know were wrong (knees compensating, etc.) Good luck, keep in touch!
Hey Liss,
Thanks for your kind words and encouragement. A muscle activation specialist? I've never heard of that. What types of things did you do because that is what I feel, like my muscles in my leg are not being used.
Whenever I run, I simply do not feel my calf, hamstring, quad, etc on my injured ankle's side. And I've done the same thing. I'm done with all the physical therapy and recovery and I have been cleared to do everything. It's just that I don't know if my gait is messed up and I got used to running like that or what, but I just do no run correctly. And I really need to get back into the shape I was before the injury because I'm trying to become a DEA agent and I HAVE to run and be in tip top shape.
Thanks again for your reply and I'd love to hear a bit more about what the muscle activation therapist was able to do for you. I'm going to seriously look into it.
R, yes! I had the EXACT same thing! Basically, the "wrong" muscles were compensating.... the correct muscles were deep in hiding. So he was able to bring those out. The muscle activation technique is really awesome. It's kind of chiropractic but WAY more... so they deal with muscles and nerve endings and things not firing, and they fix these broken links within the body, allowing the proper muscles to do their job. I would google MAT or muscle activation therapy/technique. If you are in the Dallas area, I can help you, otherwise I would google it! Keep in touch, let me know how it goes, I think it will be just what you need. Don't lose hope yet!!! I still see this guy because he's been able to do such amazing things for my body. I'm healthier overall just because of him.
If you're interested, I have another blog too. (I don't update this one often, but always respond to comments, of course). The one I keep with speaks of health/fitness/nutrition/motivation, you might like it. http://www.livewholebefree.com. Don't feel obligated by any means, just an fyi. Do keep in touch though!
Oh my God, I can't believe it. I kept thinking I was the only one that felt like this.
Thank you so much for the offer but I'm in Miami. I'm going to get to googling later when I get home. I'm really excited about this now. Oh wow, I'm very hopeful all of a sudden. Thank you!!
Yeah, I was googling stuff about ankles earlier and I came across this post and read your story and just saw the picture of you running after your surgery and became very inspired. I got to get back to that. I will definitely keep in touch and let you know how everything is going. My goal is to get everything healed up and fixed (I also have problem with my wrist right now) before the end of next year because I got to get into the DEA.
I'll definitely check out your other blog as well. Thanks again for everything. You don't know how much this means to me. Bless you!
You are definitely not alone R! And you should be very hopeful. :) If you want to run again, you will run again. It may just be a strange road that gets you there. I can definitely say that between MAT and cleaning up my diet, I am in a much better place than I was pre-surgery. Never saw this coming! (In a good way, of course).
Good luck with the DEA. You'll get there. :)
Miami huh?! My husband and I are running the Rock n' Roll half marathon there in a few months! I may hit you up for hotel info when we finally narrow it down! Haha.
And you are most welcome for the help. Anything I can do just let me know! I know how tough it is, and it was hard to hear "you'll be okay" from people who had no idea what I was going through. :) We've got a little facebook group going too, feel free to join! Lots of folks with the same stories!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129367337091099
If the link doesn't work, search "calcaneal osteotomy" under groups.
=) Thanks so much again for your words.
Oh really? That's awesome. Good luck. I haven't heard of that one. Lol...sure I'd be happy to help you guys out in any way I can.
Yes, I know what you mean. That's exactly how I feel when people tell me that I'll be fine. They have no idea. Thanks for the invite to the page. I just joined.
WOW! You had the same thing I had done just 22 days ago. I am starting to freak out that I am not able to walk yet. I know I can't and I won't but I will tell you this experience is teaching me patience!
I have a boot, crutches, knee scooter and a wheel chair.....but that is just not walking. I am so hoping I don't have to have my left foot done also. When I was in the boot to see if we could heal it with PT, I tripped and fell and broke the ankle of my right foot! So I am currently walking on a broken fibia! So a boot on one leg and a brace on the other. Very attractive!
I am going to take the day and read the rest of your blog. Especially since all I can do is sit on the couch with my foot up! LOL
Thanks again for blogging about your surgery and recovery. Gives me a ton of hope!
Next appointment 3 weeks from today....Xrays to see if I can start putting weight on my foot. Wish me luck!
Tina Baker
Hi Tina! I wish you the BEST of luck! It is definitely boring, all that couch time, but hopefully the blog will pass some time for you! And yes, it takes "patience" to a whole new level! Looking at this experience now, I not only physically needed this surgery, but I needed it mentally too. I needed to grow up a little, and I did. Phew!
I can't believe you broke your other leg too! I'd call it being efficient. I mean, better this then be all healed, ready to start walking, and then have a set back! Might as well do all that resting and healing right now! :)
It takes a while to get to the point to where you're walking. Just remember how much your body needs this time to heal properly, or you risk messing all kinds of things up for the rest of your life. And you didn't just go through all of this for nothing. :) You will get better, and you'll look back at this as just something else in life that made you stronger.
I'm not sure what your situation is, but I know with me, I gained so much stability by having my right ankle done, that I don't really need to have the left done! Stay strong, and we're all here if you need us! We have a group on Facebook too, http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=129367337091099
Keep in touch!
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