getting back on my feet (literally)

 Random life updates: 

1. More on the puppy when she’s here – expected arrival is the week after next! So much to get ready, but also so much excitement and anticipation. 

2. Lil Momma survived her first few days of 7^th grade but is having trouble with the noise levels of having THIRTY SEVEN other kids in the classrooms. There is a whole other post I could write about public schools and overrides and how we’re failing our kids and our teachers and staff, but that is not for today.

Foot/Ankle/Morale Update 

 

I am almost 5 months out from having this foot/ankle surgery. If you had asked me before the surgery, I would have thought I’d be 80% back to my life: Walking in the woods, if not hiking. Strength workouts. Slow jogs on the treadmill. Intervals on the bike. Dragging my family on weekend adventures. 

 

That is not how it has gone down.

 

I severely underestimated what recovery would look like. My expectations were so far out of reality! And, that’s ok. I probably would not have had the surgery had I known, but I also needed to have the surgery because I wasn’t able to do a lot of things I wanted to for the year before the surgery AND fixing my foot and gait and ankle now will only serve Future Lindsay’s mobility and longevity.

 

It still kind of sucks at times, though.

 

Day-to-day life: My weeks are a rollercoaster of energy levels. My in office days leave me pretty spent and then I spend the other days recovering. Same with Saturdays where I try to do all the things and crash on Sundays. But I can drive and do errands and drive Lil Momma places. I can’t walk too fast or for too long, but I can walk. I miss exercising and feeling strong and capable. My exhaustion and back pain drive a lot of my task lists. I have some social anxiety about making plans and then falling in front of people or it being too much. 

 

Orthopedic appointment: I saw my surgeon earlier this month and she was so happy with how my bones are healing and how my swelling is decreasing. She said I didn’t have to wear the brace anymore unless I felt like I needed it. She did say the exhaustion I’ve been having may be due to not eating enough and recommended I meet with a nutritionist. She also said I was AHEAD of where she expected me to be and that I need to accept where I’m at and where I have to go instead of feeling like I’ve failed because I’m not who I was. I go back in a couple of months.

 

PT: PT has moved from basic movements like sit to stand, ankle and toe mobility, and balance to focus more on strengthening from my foot up my leg to my hips to my back. I’m doing those fancy split squats and RDLs where one of your legs is bent on a box behind you, all the glute bridges, and a lot of stair work. It’s a workout! But, I am here for it. I’ve cut myself down to 1 appointment a week because I feel so busy, but I’m hoping to do a home version of the moves 1-2x a week, too. 

 

Glimmers of hope: 

• I found a nutritionist who has been amazing. She agreed that I haven’t been eating enough for healing and we’ve started some small habit builders to get me on a better road here. (Including deleting all of my food trackers and just sending her pictures.) I had the best in office day I’ve had on Tuesday when I applied some of her tips (I even was able to do an arms workout with LM when I got home from work), which gives me hope for what’s ahead for sure. 
  
  
• I really am able to do more. I was stuck in a recliner for weeks. I couldn’t go up and down stairs without a whole drama. I stayed home and missed out on so much and now I don’t have to! The world is opening back up, even if it’s slower than I want.

 

I took LM to a fancy tea service for her birthday! (All by myself)

 

So, that’s my update from #teamturtle over here. Sometimes, you just have to do the work and wait it out, which is really a great life lesson for me. The puppy will be such a great “carrot” to chase and joyful distraction.