Day #14 - Woo Hoo! I've been in the Virgin HealthMiles Program for two weeks and today I logged 7,027 steps on my monitor!
In 1997, I managed recruiting for 9 offices of Cisco Systems in the Northeast and I was always racing across Manhattan to get to the next client meeting. One day, as I stepped off the curb at West 33rd Street, from inside my high heel I began to experience the most agonizing searing pain anyone could imagine. A stinging sensation ripped its way up the outer rim of my left ankle and into my calf muscle and down again sending my lungs into a breathless spasm of screams that literally stopped commuters and shoppers alike in their tracks. These onlookers watched in stunned awe as I lost my balance and fell sideways into traffic on 7th Avenue. My gosh, what a scene and this time I couldn't even blame a basketball!
An elderly man in a tailored suit took one look at my ankle, and blurted out, "Oh boy! I'm really sorry dear, but if I'm a betting man, I'd say you've torn your Achilles tendon." This "perfect" gentleman helped me to the front of the taxi station at Madison Square Garden; handed the cab driver $60.00; and asked him to take me directly to Bayonne Hospital in Jersey. That facility was close to home. He handed me his business card from Paine Webber and instructed me not to even think about returning the cash until I could announce that I was back on my feet. Off I went...
I had a small tear of the Achilles, so the Orthopedic doctor put me in a walking cast for eight weeks; and then he sent me off to physical therapy for six. All the while, I literally hobbled on-and-off commuter planes from Boston to Herndon, Virgina; continued to drive myself to work with my good foot; attended my sister Maggie's big summer party to celebrate her Master's Degree where I literally danced on one leg; and slowly I managed to nurse myself back to good health without throwing my back out.
Yesterday, I was reminded of this true story of embarrassment & triumph. After logging over 20,000 steps on my Virgin GoZone Monitor, I could feel the tension of that same tendon from 13 years ago tugging at me late into the evening. Ut oh, I thought... I've done too much.
It's important to respect the Achilles Heel in your life - in all its vulnerable forms - because there is no chance to win, if you can't stay in the race. 15,000 steps is my new Daily Virgin HealthMiles limit.
PS - I returned the money to my friend Nick from Paine Webber and thanked him for reminding me - yet again - why I love New York!
Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 5/51
Quote of the Day: "Life's battles don't always go to the stronger or faster man. But sooner or later the man who wins, is the man who thinks he can."
- Vince Lombardi
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Want to know something funny? I always knew you were in a cast because I have a vague memory of you sitting in my school hallway in Bayonne with it on, but I never thought to ask what actually happened. I'm learning new stuff everyday here!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're listening to your body and making the appropriate adjustments. Mary Sharkey
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