Life is all about perspective-
One week post-surgery and well on our way to recovery. I could not be more ecstatic as to the progress already made. I can stand and walk with minimal assistance from crutches. Really, friends, this is a MIRACLE- God is so so good. My leg is braced up, but I continue regaining function daily. It is amazing how quickly you lose mobility when you don’t use it. It is true; a body in motion stays in motion! I was able to start PT this week, which is key to my rehab time! ATI physical therapy is spot on. They have been accommodating and meeting my every need. They are just as excited to see me back on the sled as I am. Dr. Carey with Mckinley Orthopedic, Cassy, and their crew have checked in on me to make sure I was healing, doing what I’m supposed to, and just generally to let me know they care. I am so happy this is the team that is committed to getting me back into action!
I want to not only share the good, bad, and ugly things; but also the freaking stupid crap I sometimes do! If you can’t laugh at yourself, someone will do it for you, so here’s your chance. I am not always the smartest patient. Nurses often don’t listen to their own advice. Allow me to lighten your day. I was in a bit of pain earlier this week, and it didn’t want to subside. I had rested, elevated, compressed, took pain meds, you know all the right things your ‘suppose to do,’ but the pain would not stop. So, I was convinced the only thing left to do was ICE my knee and freeze the pain away. (Some of you are already shaking your head because you know where this is going.) I got my super duty, big thick ice pack out of the freezer and decided to leave it on until the pain numbed itself away. I mean, all pain stops eventually-right. I proceeded to do what I’ve told every patient in my career not to do; and not only placed the ice directly on my skin, but fell asleep with it there…..and guess what happened, I froze the pain away alright, but also my skin. Ugggg, stupid move, and now I can’t ice my knee there because of the ‘ice burn.’ So, advice from a nurse, never put ice directly on your skin.
whoops 
At this point, being patient is the name of the game. Allowing for healing to occur must be the priority. If you know anything about me, I never stop moving. I thrive in chaos and love the excitement of what is next! This particular season in life forces me to pause, watch, observe, and be present humbly. Life feels like it has slowed down to a crawl. Everyone around me is busily trying to pick up all the pieces I am leaving undone. The words of gratitude will never be strong enough for everyone’s encouraging words and support.
My crew of people continues to expand with people willing to help. As I sit here and write this, my team is out on the trail, running and doing what they were created to do! There’s a beautiful dusting of snow blanketing the trail, perfect temps of near-zero degrees, and with technology, I can ‘watch’ my team down the trail via GPS to watch their progress.
I have not seen my sled dogs in almost 2 weeks now, but from peering out the window. You know “Kennel on a HILL” doesn’t allow for me to safely get out into the yard without the possibility of slipping, falling, or getting knocked down. Whenever my kids think mama needs a pick-me-up, they bring a dog or two in to say hi and give me lots of kisses, just to let me know they are doing just fine and miss me.
We will keep striving to do our best with the best attitude and outlook we can have; it’s not going to be easy.
I never asked for easy; I just need possible!