2012 In Review

As 2012 comes to a close, I am most thankful to be healthy, fit, and strong. I made an important medical decision that has drastically improved my quality of life.  I decided that the only half marathon I will complete is Nike because 5k's are waaaay faster for me to complete.  I had a blast as a volunteer and cheering runners/walkers at the finish and will do more next year.  And I met a weight loss goal!

The best part of 2012 was spending time with my family and catching up with friends.  I went on a road trip with my brother and his family in the mini-ban as my niece refers to the mini-van.  That time was priceless.  I went to beautiful Santa Rosa with my mom and sister,  and wine tasting. So much fun!  If I were to do a half Santa Rosa would make the list. It was so pretty there.

I had a minor workout set back thanks to a broken ankle, but I managed to lose a few pounds.  I am back on the road to recovery and set to complete my first 5k in March. I am very excited about meeting this goal.

I am getting back to Weight Watchers and I am excited about this, too.

Here's to a healthier 2013!

Learning to walk

I began physical therapy last week.  I must say, it was a day I've been looking forward to since November 9th, which was the same date as my surgery.  I just want to be back to my pre-broken ankle self.

I had already decided that I would complete a 5k in March and Dr. Lundy is on board with my plan and thinks it is an achievable goal.  Now I need to get Nicole, my PT on board, too.

As soon as I said hello and introduced myself, I let Nicole know of my 5k in March goal. She had a question mark look on her face. As she began to get details of why I was in her office the look upon her face appeared more and more doubtful.  I didn't appreciate it and I pretty much let her know it.  With conviction, I let her know that Dr. Lundy approved my goal and she needed to be on board with my goal, too.

Nicole begins her assessments and have me do a series of movements. Her mind seens to be changing about my 5k goal because she informs me how impressed she is with my abilities considering the timeline of my injury.   Silently,  I am saying,  'I told you!'.

The one assessment that choked me up was when she checked my balance of standing on my left foot and than my right foot.  The absolute thought of putting my FULL weight on my 7 week post-op ankle freaked me out! While I had been 'walking' on both feet, I hadn't been putting full weight on it. I was more like sliding and scooting my foot.  I stood there and began to cry because I couldn't do it.  Actually,  I was afraid to do it.  I was again reminded of all the little things I/we take for granted.  I have a long list in my head.  After getting over myself, I did it.  Lifted my left foot to stand completly on my right foot. I was scared, yet proud at the same time.  3 seconds without holding on! I was proud and so was Nicole.

Did you know when you walk, you take off from your big toe?  I didn't pay attention because I am used to well...walking. I am learning how to walk on the entire foot and without a limp.

I had a great first appointment with a lot of new exercises to meet my goals:  To walk without my crutch, wear my shoes (only my uggs and sneaks fit with my brace), and to complete a 5k in March.

Merry Christmas

Christmas came early for me; December 19th to be exact.  You see, this was the day of my 7 week post-op appoinment.  Dr. Lundy, whom I've dubbed 'silver fox' because he is let me know I no longer have to wear my boot!  I was beyond excited.  Additionally, I could now full weight bear and begin walking.

What a journey that is still en route to the end.

I now sport a lovely ankle brace and had to purchase new shoes to fit my brace.  I use a crutch for assistance.   Who knew wearing two shoes that match could make a girl smile from ear to ear.

Merry Christmas Dr. Lundy and thank you for delivering such great news my way.


Now to learn how to walk...the work begins.

The New Workout

Since I broke my ankle, one of many concerns I had was working out and maintaining a healthy and physical lifestyle.  I had already decided to cancel my Weight Watchers program, but in my head, I had decided to keep the healthy eating going.

I hadn't been cooking much at home, mostly because I wasn't staying at home.  I found myself eating a lot of fruit, fish, sandwiches, and Mexican food.  And with starting a new job, I am busy all day.  I noticed it takes me 2-3 hours to eat my breakfast of yogurt, fruit, and granola. Before I know it, LUNCH TIME!

My mom and bestie had been commenting on how I appeared to be losing weight as my clothes were beginning to fall off of me.  I began to notice, too.  I am now able to wear clothes I haven't been able to for more than 5 years or they fit much better. 

This past week, I've been standing on both feet more and decided to see if I could stand on the scale to weigh myself.  And sure enough...I've lost 10 lbs!  I was seriously shocked!  My bestie kept telling me, 'I told you, you're losing weight. Your clothes are so loose, now'. 

I can't even lie...I was pretty dang excited.

But, I guess one would shed a few LBS if you lifted yourself in/out of the tub daily, hopped on one foot up and down stairs daily, scooted along on one leg daily, eat less daily.  Everyday has been a workout and a challenge that I've overcome, daily.  I am reminded how thankful I am for the abilities I do have and for the tools and people who help me...daily. 

         

Happy Thanksgiving!

I've got many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving.  While I am thankful every day, the last 12 weeks has proven to be a time where I've expressed gratitude to many.

I've had two surgical procedures within this time and with both, I've had the most amazing support of family and friends to make sure I was okay.  They provided their company, time, food, sent lovely cards, texts, and left voice mails.

I'm most thankful to my mom and best friend for shuttling me to/from work daily.

Talk about counting one's blessings? I sure am.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Grateful - Hezekiah Walker

The Temporary Disabled Girl's Accessories

This broken ankle has come with lots of tools to help me get around and get back on my two feet.  Lord knows, I can't wait to walk on my own and wear two shoes.  But I truly appreciate my lovely accessories kit as I recover.  This is how it all began....

After the ER docs at Cedars put me in a splint, they sent me home with crutches.  Gosh, those things are exhausting to use.  The funny thing is while I was hobbling around LA, I got lots of advice on how to use them from compete strangers.


I return home to see my regular doctor, Dr. Spector, who cut the splint off to view my still swollen ankle, but to also inform me that he couldn't help me and that I needed an Orthopedic doc.  He is a foot/ankle specialist.  Needless to say, I was disappointed.  I thought for sure he'd put me in a cast and send me on my way.  I would later learn from my Orthopedic doc, Dr. Lundy, that surgery was needed, ASAP!  I immediately let Dr. Spector's staff know that I needed to get around in a different way.  The crutches were NOT working for me and I was so tired from using them.  I requested a 'scooter'.  Thankfully, it was covered under my medical insurance.  I got some other awesome items to help navigate my way through daily activities as I recover.   

I got so much advice on how to use these guys!

  

Got this lovely boot, pending surgery

    

The scooter that saved my life!

The lovely half splint/cast with ice-pack post-op look

 

This red lovely is nice to have when mom or my bff are shuttling me around. Front row parking!!

You try standing in the shower on ONE foot!  So thankful for this chair.

Got this awesomely fashionable shoe post-op to protect my foot.  Ironically, when I wore the thing, I hit my foot more because I couldn't gauge the depth of it around corners.