Meet my 'Silverfox'

Earlier this month, I had what I thought was my final appointment with Dr. Lundy a.k.a. 'Silver Fox'.  I went to the appointment with mixed feelings; sadness and happy at the same time. Happy that my ankle is well enough to not have to see him, yet sad that I will no longer see Dr. Lundy and his staff, Lana and Janice.

Despite how we met, I am so thankful we met. He is funny, complimentary, and easy on the eyes.  But most of all, he supported my plan to complete a 5k five months post-op.  I can't wait to share my news that I did it. Not that he doubted me, because I was very clear of my intention to do it.  Besides, he said I didn't have a 'game ending injury'.

I see Dr. Lundy in May.  I am pretty sure that will be my last appoinment.  I am also pretty sure I will shed a few happy-sad tears.

Thank you Dr. Lundy, Lana, and Janice for the kindness, care, and comfort you provided during my recovery.

Meet my Silver Fox, Dr Lundy

Basking in the LOVE...

Completing the 2013 Oakland Running Festival 5k was the most fun event I have attended.  Well, Bay 2 Breakers is always a good time!

There was such a magnetic feeling in the air from my mom and sister being excited that I was making my post-broken ankle debut to the many ladies of Black Girls Run! Bay Area and Sacramento, and to my big sis walking with me.  Honestly, I can't really describe the feeling. But know this...it felt GOOD!! And I truly felt the LOVE from all.

Check out some of the pics that made this day FUN!!

What a beautiful start to the day

BGR! Ladies Preserving the Sexy!

The 'Recovery' Crew!

Dancing across the finish line

Ice and elevation

Mission Accomplished!

Today is the day I set as my intention to make my debut back on the 5k trail the day after my surgery.  I had no doubt I would finish, but the anticipation was agonizing.  I am usually not nervous or anxious before a race, but last night was a restless night of sleep.  And my tummy was upset. Another first!

It was a chilly start and with the metal in my ankle it caused mild pain.  I was prepared with ibuprofen in my bag.  Thankfully, it warmed up and the meds kicked in. But I wasn't totally pain free.  In general, when I do a lot of walking I experience some pain.

I walked with my big sis, Pam. We had an enjoyable time and caught up with new news.  We also walked with a fun bunch of folks with a boom box! Dude serioisly carried his boom box like Radio Raheem from 'Do the Right Thing'. We loved it!  As it turned out, they too were recovering from a broken foot/an achilles injury/leg injury.  We dubbed our group 'the recoveries'!  This was the most fun group I have ever walked with at an event by far.  The best part...we danced across the finish line!

This is what broken ankle to 5k looks like! Mission Accomplished!!

It happens tomorrow....

Broken ankle to 5k mission is almost complete! 

How Strong Women Pray

I read ' How Strong Women Pray ' several years ago.  I heard of the book while reading Essence magazine. The book is about a woman, Bonnie St. John sharing her discovery of prayer,  while revealing some intimate moments of growing up.  She enlisted an interesting list women across various walks of life and asked them to talk about their relationship with God and how they pray.

I am not really sure why I was compelled to re-read this book, again. But I can tell you that I read with a different point of view.  Another fact about Ms. St. John, she's a Paraolympic champion.  She writes about overcoming her challenge of losing a leg as a child and learning to walk with a prosthetic leg.

I read the book with bigger eyes. Even found myself crying at times I don't recall when I read this book before.  I was reminded, yet again, that my broken ankle was a temporary situation and that I have lots to overcome, yet I have overcome so much.

Many may even be tired of hearing about my broken ankle.  The truth of the matter is too bad! This has been a life changing experience for me and I have been blessed to share these experiences with others and lucky enough to find the blessings in all of this. Perhaps, that's why I picked up this book, again.  I needed to be reminded that we all go through challenging times in our lives, but it's how you learn and grow from them is what matters.

10 days and counting: Broken ankle to 5k!

I am ready for my 5k. Dr. Lundy's advice: Ibuprofen before the walk and ice and elevation after.

Check and check!!

Impromptu Walk

Sometimes, the best walks I take are the ones that aren't planned.  With daylight savings in effect, I decided to take a walk rather then go home after a long work day.  I assure you, I could have easily taken myself home, showered, climbed into my pjs, and bed in that order!

Yet, I was so excited that I was near home and the sun was still shining at 7pm.  I knew I had to make it quick, so I hit the streets of Lake Chabot Blvd.  This is outside of Lake Chabot trail because I didn't want to be on the trail at dusk under the trees. And I wanted to work my calf muscles by going up hills.  My ankle and calf didn't appreciate the hills so much, but we made it!

Check out the view along the way!!

Great Job!

All is going well with my Physical Therapy.  Nicole, my therapist can't be more proud of my accomplishments, to date. I am proud and excited about my progress, too.  After all, I am 14 days away from my 5k.  

Oakland Running Festival better watch out!!

For my job well done, Nicole presented me with a lovely gift.

'Hand' Sanitizer

I remember when....

My broken ankle experience has provided me with some great learning opportunities.  These last few months since I've been able to drive have been super busy.  To the point that I can't wait for a weekend to, as I say, 'get reacquainted with my couch'.  Thus the title of this entry.  I remember when....  I decided to reminisce of some of the things I thought about while I felt I was 'home-bound'.  In reality, I where I was supposed to be at that moment in time.

I remember when....

• I wanted to get in my car and go! No place in particular,  but because I could
• I had to decide between getting my hair cut or going to the farmers market because I didn't have a ride for the day
• I would reach out to folks for help and got no response until hours later
• How thankful I was that my friend took bart to pick me up from the airport to drive me home and carried all my stuff up two flights of stairs
• I would get weekly text messages asking if I needed anything from long time friends
• I had to learn how to accept help from friends
• I'd laugh out loud when I recalled funny moments shared with my bff
• I realized how lucky I am even when I was in the midst of a pity party
• I felt lonely in my house because I was 'stuck'
• I prepared a home cooked meal
• My nosy neighbor offered to take my trash out
• I appreciated my own surroundings
• I shared with others how my mom and bff took care of me
• My big sis prepared breakfast for me and my mom
• A friend I hadn't talked to in a while visited me and brought me groceries
• My zumba instructor came by to watch football
• I couldn't wait to have my independence back 
• I shared with my mom and bff that I stood in the shower for the first time
• I thanked my doctors for their great care and attention to detail

I could go on and on with this list.  The point of it all is sometimes, we aren't always satisfied with where we are at a given moment in time. But if you stop and observe you can appreciate how lucky you really are.

I certainly have.