A quick recap. On Jan 3, 2013, I had an unexpected dismount from a horse and landed on my upper arm. Result, fractured humeris and upper tuberosity. Doctor said I 鈥減ulverized鈥� my right shoulder.
On Feb 10, 2013, while running across a gravel parking lot I turned my left ankle and broke the lower extremity of my tibia. Not a bad break to the ankle but one that requires immobilization for a couple months.
My initial reaction to this second setback to my participation in the sa国际传媒 Health Challenge was typically me. 鈥淲hat鈥檚 done is done. Spilled milk.鈥�
I had no idea if or how I would be able to move forward in the 12-week fitness program that includes twice-weekly workouts with personal trainers, advice from mental coaches and nutritionists.
My coach, Lindsay Forget, had already crafted a great program that worked around my injured shoulder. Now what could she do with a broken shoulder and a broken leg? It seemed impossible. As the first 48 hours passed after the injury, I fell into a slump. It hurt to move. My ankle was in a half-cast which allowed it to swell, boy did it ever. It was quite a show, and the swelling continues despite my keeping the foot elevated and iced.
I have been outfitted with what I call my Darth Vader air boot. A black bulb on the front is not a horn 鈥� so disappointing 鈥� but it allows baffles to inflate around the ankle for extra support.
I had a checkup Thursday for my shoulder and when the doctor came in the room he noted the footwear. Dr. Anderson wanted to know how it happened, as if that really mattered. I guess he was beginning to figure that with me, these things always have a good story attached.
He left to go look for my ankle xray. Yes, Dr. Anderson confirmed, it鈥檚 broken, but I can put some weight on it. I have to use a crutch under my good arm to help the bad leg along. And the more I stay off it, the better luck I will have reducing the swelling and let healing start.
I鈥檒l have another xray in two weeks. There鈥檚 a chance that if I鈥檓 overly active, the bones won鈥檛 begin to knit and they鈥檒l slap my leg in a plaster cast.
So I鈥檓 trying to be good. Never mind I have two active dogs that want to go on their usual hikes. (I hired a dog walker to take them out three times a week.) And I鈥檓 about to have my kitchen torn apart in a complete remodel. I would have loved to have been the one to take a sledge hammer to the 1950鈥瞫 鈥渃ustom鈥� plywood cabinets but have had to hire Brent, who has demolished way more kitchens than I have, and on top of that, he knows what he鈥檚 doing.
I wrote a profile on challenge participant Raechel Gray from home this week, and I鈥檒l do the same this coming week. Nathan Robinson is the biggest participant in the challenge,and he has a big personality to match.
I鈥檒l return to the Pacific Institute for Sport Excellence for workouts on the week of Jan. 25 and see what Lindsay has cooked up for her broken but determined client. Should be interesting.
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