Recovery update and gratitudes
Many friends have assisted me in this hopefully temporary state of partial mobility. Darlene, Lindsey , Megan and Magali have all very kindly given me rides to work and home again. Numerous people, friends and students, have emailed or phoned with concern, support and offers of assistance. Several dear people have called or emailed to make me laugh in the midst of my deep despair. Carmella the cat has insisted that play is a big priority. Heidi, my wonderful PT, and Yoshiro, my incredible acupuncture guy, have assisted with skill and generosity. My gratitude to all of the above is deep, huge, and continuous!
My foot still hurts a lot with any extended walking, but less than in previous days. Today, I was able to walk to my local coffee shop, slowly and carefully. Then, I took a bus (I would have normally walked this distance with ease) to the Gryotonic studio. Although I was annoyed not to be able to walk there without pain, I was deeply thrilled to explore non-weight bearing activity, once I was there, and to move vigorously and consciously. I could think with my whole self, and experience rhythm and challenge in activity without compromising my foot.
Later, when I went for a walk in the lovely Summer day with my cane for help, I noticed that if I attended in a whole fashion to my length and width (requesting quiet, refusing to narrow or shorten, asking for width and length, refusing to check on results), my foot hurt far less, or at the least, I reacted to foot pain with minimal overall contraction.
At least I can walk a little bit. My slow and careful pace, and the required attention to whole self use, gives me an opportunity to notice the world at a reduced pace. Birds and foliage and clouds all register with more significance when I am forced to move with care and a very slow pace. It seems like I already learned this lesson earlier in my recovery, but I guess there must be more to learn.
When I read the line about finding, in your latest physical challenge, the opportunity to to notice the world at a reduced pace, even as I admired your gumption I thought to myself “but she’s already learned this lesson”! Then I laughed out loud when I read your last line — I could so hear your voice.
Hang in there, my dear. You are an inspiration to people at all points on the spectrum of struggle.
Comment by Beth on July 15, 2010 at 12:47 pmThis is all so interesting Jeanne – thank you for taking the time to record your experiences. I think there is still a slight sense in me that as an AT teacher I should be able to deal with pain / injury without much additional help, and your accounts have reminded me that this is not so. (I already knew this for my students!) I’ve had relatively little to deal with so far, but it is a useful lesson in case of need.
I hope your recovery continues, and please don’t forget to give thanks regularly to all the healing forces and the strength in you! This too shall pass …
Sandra in Edinburgh
Comment by Sandra on July 17, 2010 at 12:51 pm