Sheeeee's Back with Wheelchair Wisdom!

Hi. I can't even tip-toe yet, so let's not refer to today's effort as my first step forward, but... Amen - I was able to lose the wheelchair a few days ago and my right foot sees some light at the end of the blow-up cast, so things are definitely improving for me and the family.

The situation was a bad break - (no pun intended!). To be honest, I was a bit discouraged. My Virgin HealthMiles GoZone Step Journey and this Blog were going so well and then wham! But that's life gang and the message is: No matter what happens, we really are supposed to get up, dust ourselves off, and move forward as soon as the foot or situation allows.

This little Blog took a rest too... My laptop was in the IT shop at work and sitting at my roll-top desk was not an option. I tried reviewing e-mails for a mere ten minutes on several occasions and the toes would start rebelling-by-swelling, so I decided not to return to this important task until it was good for my foot to do so!! You see - My beautiful right foot has led me to great destinations all my life, so I knew I owed it to her to take the lead on this journey-to-full-recovery.

I've been through bigger medical "situations" through the decades, but this event takes the cake in inconvenience! Please trust me - I'm not complaining! At age 51, I'm just grateful I did not break a hip during that embarrassing fall AND that I did not need surgery! Also, I'm ecstatic that I had been on my Virgin HealthMiles Step program since January 2nd because it positioned me to physically and mentally battle back more effectively.

Aside from the nasty sprains to my right ankle and knee, my poor 5th Metatarsal bone which sits between the little toe and the ankle suffered two breaks. But I was very lucky because there was no damage to the Tarsal Metatarsal Joint or the Metatarsal Phalangeal Joint. My foot specialist explained that damage to either of these joints would have required immediate surgery.

Compliance to a "no-weight baring" order from a doctor is hard work for anyone with a broken foot. Without TishTrek, I'm convinced I would have had to crawl around the house. The weight loss through TishTrek and the increase in my upper body strength made this recovery easier; and both factors have mitigated physical risk to my good leg & foot everytime I've been required to propel myself forward on them. "TishTrek - My 51/51 Challenge" enhanced my ability to navigate on crutches like a champion and gave me physical power over my condition which I would not otherwise have had.

So here I am! I can't step yet, but I'm back at my Blog Station treating broken bones like the character-builders that they are! I'm all set to roar again through my keyboard, so listen up:

I'm working through my third week of recovery. Harry and I strategically placed one wheelchair upstairs and one downstairs to make it easy for me to sit with my foot elevated anywhere inside or outside of our house, (one was a loaner from our Uncle Charlie; and the other - a loaner from the Pt. Pleasant Elks). My thanks to all for a set up that really helped me operate with ease when no one could be home to assist me during the first two weeks.

Ten days ago, I was in one of those wheelchairs executing my Jersey City recruiting responsibilities from my Pt. Pleasant Home Office when something remarkable happened. I was actually feeling a tad disconnected from the masses and a little overwhelmed & confined by this "broken bone thing" when out of nowhere - the phone rang.

A wonderful high caliber person was on the other line inviting me to walk with her to lead and inspire others on an important journey. To my amazement, it didn't matter to her or anyone that my feet were not working. I was the only one focused on how I'd execute any new journey with a broken foot.

I was reminded that a situation out of our control can appear as some awful low point in circumstance or a high-end challenge for the record books and often it's neither of those things.

I'm now convinced that much needed moments of rest are arranged for us (whether we're prepared for them or not...) so we have enough time to think before we take a detour or fork in the road. With this in mind, I'm very grateful for the gift that granted me "pause" as my foot healed.

I'll let you know more later in the week... :)


Best regards,
Everybody's Cousin Tish
Score: 15/51

Quote of the Day: "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars!"
- Casey Kasem