For those of you who are new followers, you may not know I spent the bulk of 2006 in bed, in a wheelchair, or in a walker. I also spent several months using crutches. I went camping for a week on crutches! I walked my first mile, aided by hiking poles, in July (the accident was March, obviously) then graduated to a cane. I started walking unaided, I think, some time in early September. I ran one mile, slowly and painfully, on October 10. I didn't tell anyone before I did it. I was overjoyed when I was done. I ran a 5K on New Years' Eve and whooped as I crossed the finish line. My husband was a rock. He basically ran the ship, drove the kids, emptied my catheter, made the meals, shopped for food, did a lot of laundry, drove me to physical therapy, drove me to water therapy, etc. etc. My kids were also especially wonderful. They would come in and sit on my bed while we all had breakfast so I wouldn't feel left out. They did their own laundry. They NEVER complained. Neighbors brought meals, over and over again. Family took the kids places, like skiing and to lunch and Powell's. My support system was unbelievably amazing. I love those people and love that they taught me that, without a doubt, people are good.
My physical therapist, well...was awesome. He knew that I wanted to be back to where I had been before the accident (training for an Ironman). I was very clear. I wanted to run again, bike again, for long stretches of time, going as fast as possible. He made me WORK. I *did* the work. It made me cry sometimes, because I would be so mad that I couldn't do something, but he gave me exercises that would eventually enable me to do whatever it was. After I got a lot better, maybe in early summer of 2007, and I was doing a run near my house, he actually drove up behind me and rolled down his window and said, "You're running balanced! You're not limping!" That was a really good day. I got all choked up and gave him a fist bump, he drove off and I ran home, counting my blessings. In June 2007, I was able to do a half Ironman. I finished into my husband's arms, crying and laughing, all at the same time.
Since then, I've trained for and finished three Ironman triathlons, lots of other shorter triathlons and running races. I've snowshoed, wrestled with my dogs, and am living a wonderfully normal life. I know that hardships can be overcome with hard work and a great group of people who love you. I also know that my priorities are in line and will remain there. I'm pretty sure they were before, but not a day goes by when I know that my family is the best, that I am lucky to have great friends, and that life is an adventure, day by day.
