When You Knee-ed Support :)

July 29, 2013

 Another day of sitting at home trying to take the edge off this pain. Got to watch and entire season of “The Dog Whisperer.” Yipee. The nice breaks in my day are when people check up on me. I so appreciate everyone who calls and messages to see how I’m faring. I understand that the world didn’t stop when I got hurt but my life has been put on hold while everyone else is still doing their thing. The messages and conversations help immensely! This has opened my eyes for me to be more aware of people in need, whose spirits may be lifted with just a small pick-me-up.   

Richard left me a cute note before he left this morning that made me laugh. Little things like that do so much for me during this and I have an entirely new perspective on what it means to be there for someone. I can think back on the times when a friend or family member was sick, went through a surgery or got injured and I was not the best support that I could have been. That will not ever happen again. A good lesson has been learned today.

The Vegetarian And The Bison Burger

July 28, 2013

I’m hurting this morning…and pissed. I feel like I’m back at square one and have no idea where this onset of pain came from. I had plans to go out for an early birthday brunch today but had to cancel because I can barely move. 

It’s now 8:30pm and I’ve laid on the couch ALL DAY LONG! It’s so frustrating how the pain has kept me immobilized for hours. I am grateful for Richard being here. And the real news of the entire day: I ate half of a bison burger! I haven’t eaten red meat for more than 10 years. 

A Rolled Toe And A Chunk Of Pinky Cut Off With Kama

July 27, 2013

Driving to the dojo today, I told Richard that there are so many things I’ve put on the back-burner because I’ve always been “too busy.” I’ve wanted to go white water rafting, hiking down the Havasupai, camping, rick climbing, etc. I’ve been telling myself for the past three years that when I have time, I’ll do those things. This injury has really put things in perspective that I will always be “too busy” so why continue to put these adventures on hold? It’s about me having balance and making the things I want to do a priority.

Watching Noah and Danny test for their advanced ranks this afternoon made me really miss training, and it’s only been two-weeks. During sparring and rondori, I couldn’t help but be nervous about one of them getting injured and I kept watching their knees. Oh, what a long physical and psychological recovery I have ahead of me…

Luckily, a rolled toe and a chunk of pinky cut off with kama were the only damages. Both did awesome!

Mom and Me

July 26, 2013

My mommy’s birthday :) Got to have a good chat with her over the phone. As I get older, I’m realizing what a parallel life we’ve led. I remember growing up in a variety of businesses that my parents owned, from a scuba diving store to a restaurant, to a car dealership, to a floral shop. When I was younger (as were they) the businesses seemed to be fun and an adventure and they always took time off to travel, take the boat out on the lake and camp. Around my teen years, I noticed that they got more and more inundated with the businesses and the traveling and weekend excursions got to be less and less. After I moved out, my parents delved even deeper into their businesses and the fun times seemed nonexistent. I wish for them that they take time to enjoy themselves for the remainder of their years. They deserve it. 

I love running my businesses but I also yearn for the balance that would allow me to take more vacations and explore other hobbies like growing a garden or just take one day off to do absolutely nothing. Being forced to slow down and literally do absolutely nothing due to my injury has brought me to a conclusion: I will not return to working 12-hour days. There is nothing I do that requires 12-hours of work every day. And if there is, it’ll be waiting for me tomorrow.    

   

As I was walking in the building where my ortho-bionomy sessions are held, I noticed how slow I move. Slowing down has helped me to take notice of things I generally wouldn’t. I said hello to a couple of gardeners that I would have normally breezed right by. I watched some puppies play at the doggie daycare next door. Usually, I rush, rush, rush to get to my next destination. I physically can’t do that now. As annoying as it can be sometimes, quieting my body and mind is somewhat of a relief.

I had another appointment with Dr. Xiao. I don’t know what he’s doing to me but it seems to be helping. It is seriously torture every time I go in but I feel so good afterwards. It seems like he knows right where the pain is and what to do about it. Hobbling around has really taken a toll on the left side of my body, especially my ankle. Dr. Xiao went straight for it when I came in today. The treatments are brutal but he keeps me entertained as I writhe on the table!

He was an orthopedic doctor back in China and I asked him if TCM is the main medicine there. Unfortunately, he told me that while many of the older people in China still use TCM as their method of healing, the younger people who are busy working (just like all of us in the States) have turned to Western medicine for the magic pill. Apparently, they take antibiotics for everything, from the common cold to a small cut. It’s sad to see a culture who has always believed in healing from the inside-out turn to the quick-fix approach.  

I told him that what he does is the real deal. To help people facilitate their own healing is better medicine than any ‘doctor’ could ever do.   

Why Let Anyone Else Set Your Destiny?

July 25, 2103

Epsom salt baths are the bomb! I take one pretty much every day now and can feel my leg loosening up and becoming more mobile. It’s also a great time to read and relax. I came up to the dojo and worked without much pain or interference. I received a massage this afternoon (thank goodness we have a wellness/massage room here and that I have an amazing team) to break up my day. It’s remarkable how much the rest of my body has been compensating for my knee. Everything hurts: hips, glutes, neck, ankles, even my thumb!

This evening, my lovely in-house PT (wink…wink) came to my aid and showed me some new exercises. I’ll be adding those to my arsenal. My knee now flexes to 90-degrees! That’s a heavy duty accomplishment right there. Again, the little things are a really big deal right now. Just last night I was speaking to a friend who has had surgery on both knees and we were comparing crutches stories. Now, how in the world am I going to get this glass of water from the kitchen to the living room?? Luckily, I plan to be off crutches by the beginning of August.

Almost everyone I’ve talked to who has had ACL reconstructive surgery has told me that my knee will never be the same. I was feeling a bit disheartened until one of our Black Belt instructors at the dojo Richard and I own asked, “Why let anyone else set your destiny?”

He’s right. It’s no one’s place to tell me that I can or cannot do anything I set my mind to. I have to surround myself with positive people who support me on this path. Anyone who gives me crap about it, I really don’t have the time or energy for.

Oh, my Solomon’s Seal came it, too!!