overcome a life-changing injury?

I got both of my Achilles tendons/gastrocs lengthened (my surgeon kind of...made up a surgery for my specific condition, so the incisions were higher than Achilles but lower than a true gastroc) and I'm a year and a half out and /just/ starting to get back into dancing like I used to and running. This is not to discourage you! It just takes time and patience. Every once in a while I still get a little down because I can't jump and play with my friend's kid like I used to...but it gets better every day

The thing that I find the most important is that some things change your body completely. My surgery, for example, changed the way I walk and my stride. I just have to learn to do everything over again. Chin up! It'll get better!

In Jan 2009 I wrecked a motorcycle, almost lost my left hand and tore up my right leg. I had 2 different surgeons who made me the bionic woman with all the metal/hardware they had to use to put me back together again. The doc was very up front about my leg, he said his repair work was just a temporary bandaid/fix, that once all the broken bones healed I would have to have the knee replaced, it was damaged beyond saving. It took a year (wheelchair, to walker, to cane) to get the leg (thigh and shin) bones healed strong enough to handle an artifical knee but I had that done Feb 2010. The hand works great now (almost a year in PT for that) and my knee is good. I still have leg pain daily but when I think where I could be-I will take the pain every time.

No doubt about it, injuries suck. All we can do is keep on trying and don't give up. Don't ever give up!

Not me, but my husband had his hand and forearm torn to shreds by the garage door spring a couple of years ago. The emergency room was going to amputate his thumb but decided to send him to a wonderful hand surgeon at another hospital. He put my husbands hand back together with pins, simulated bone (?), etc. We took the X-rays of his hand with all the pins and stuff and put it in our windows for halloween! LOL! It was really painful but he exercised that hand every time he was sitting still. He now has almost all of the use of that hand. It still hurts when he tries to grip really tight, but he can do it.

I am not in your shoes, but I do believe in miracles! I hope that you don't give up your dreams (just don't stomp on lizards - I like them!) I think our MFP pals here would be glad to support your effort to get healthy again!

Best wishes for your 100% return to health!

I spent from 8 March last year until October completely unable to walk, and it was massively depressing at the time. I'd broken my foot right on the joint (Jones Fracture) and it didn't heal on it's own so I had to have it screwed together and endure another attempted healing process) I felt completely hopeless. The stares from people, especially children when I went to the store or the zoo, etc were really disconcerting, and I, like you was worried about my career (as a field anthropologist). I slowly started working on walking in October, and by December, with the help of specialized brace on my right lower leg I was doing really well. By February I was able to ditch the brace altogether. Unfortunately, on 21 March the unthinkable happened and I tore all of the ligaments in my left ankle, which put me out of commission until just a week ago. It's something that, while you're recovering can tear you down to you most basic self, where you have to relearn everything you do in every-day life. It's something that can make you cry and want to scream, but you push through it because, in the end you realize you've become a stronger person. My injuries have left my ankles badly arthritic (I'm only 26!) and there's over a 50% chance of both injuries reoccurring in the next five years....but I don't let it slow me down.

Whenever I'm unable to walk, I still make it to the gym...I work on upper body and strengthening my upper legs carefully. I've found going to the gym to be a great moral boost, because the staff is so accommodating and encouraging. Likewise, my fellow gym goers will come up to me, and instead of staring and gawking like regular people, they'll shake my hand and comment on my fantastic determination. It gives me hope and inspiration.

I won't ever be able to run for an extended period, but I recognize that, and move on. I can run on the gym machines because there isn't impact involved, and I know I could run if someone was chasing me! lol. The pain is just there to tell you to be careful...that you can push yourself just as hard as before, but you need to be conscious of the risks.

You probably don't want to hear it, because you probably have a million times (I sure have) but it takes time...you'll be back to hiking (I've planned a hiking trip for August as a motivation to get myself completely healed and fit asap) and other activities in time. You just need to be patient. You do have a new set of limitations, but that's a new set of challenges to work around and overcome. Stay motivated and take baby steps. Make goals for your recovery and work closely with your physical therapist and ortho surgeon to meet those goals.

May 24, 2007 I was in a terrible auto accident. I was in rush hour traffic and hit by another car, which caused my car to spin 180 and then flip/roll down a ravine and into a grove of trees. I blacked out and the last thing I remembered was thinking that I wasn't ready to die. I came around when a rather large man woke me and pulled me from the wreckage through my sunroof, and then carried me up the ravine. I never found out who he was, but I will never forget the way he looked at me while he was carrying me. I was unable to walk and couldn't feel my right leg at all (among other serious injuries). I spent hours in the ER while they "tended" to me before being released. I still couldn't use my right leg, but they had no idea why not. I was given a "prescription" for a wheelchair. No other explanation and I was in incredible pain. I spent the holiday weekend scared to death and taking pill for the pain. My mother called in a favor and got me in to see an orthopedic surgeon in our town. Luckily, he is on of the best from my home state and he has known our family for years.

It took 2 months to figure out what was wrong with my leg and foot. I had to move back in with my parents, and eventually sold my house. I wasn't able to work either. I spent days being referred to other doctors, being x-ray'd, having scans and mri's. One doctor hooked up both legs to a power source of some kind and shocked me for an afternoon. I never felt a thing in that right leg or foot. Finally, we discovered the problem and had a solution. Severe nerve damage from the flipping of the car. My knee was also a goner, so surgery was scheduled to rebuild my knee and nerve damage. I was told it would be outpatient surgery and I would have a tiny scar. My mother later told me that I had complications during the surgery. The damage to my leg was far beyond what the doc originally imagined. But, I came out of it with a rebuilt knee and a giant scar that runs down half my leg.

After 2 months in a wheelchair and surgery (and depression), I was anxious to meet my physical therapist for rehab. 3 months of rehab at 3 times a week. I had to start over and would be using that chair a little while longer. I had to learn how to "work" my leg and foot again. I was still in lots of pain. I took my first wobbly, hand-rail holding step in September. I can't even begin to describe how frustrating it is to try to get your body to do something that you've done your entire life. I still had no feeling in the leg or foot, so it was a tough road. But, I did it. I was walking with a cane by October. Nothing fancy, but I could finally move around. I took a prescription drug known to help regenerate nerves for 4 months but eventually stopped because of the expense. I gained weight and focused on being able to exercise (for weight loss) again.

May 2008 I packed up my dog and belongings, bought a used car, and moved near the beach. I had recovered as much as anyone had hoped. I still had pain. I still had no feeling in most of leg and foot, but I took everything one day at a time. My life was about to change again... but that is a different story.

Today I can feel my foot again, and most of my leg. The pain is rare these days. I have ran 10ks and 2 half marathons in the past year. But some days, I hurt. I don't know why and I can't predict how long the pain stays. I found that massage has helped me the most. Every year on my "anniversary" I think about my accident, surgery, recover, and my feelings during that time. I remember the pain most of all and the frustration. I think about how amazing our bodies truly are and that doctor's aren't always correct. I learned that I can overcome any obstacle with time and patience, and that asking for help is necessary sometimes.

First I will say I have struggled with my weight since I was around 14. I'm now 50. About 5 years ago I finished losing the 70 pounds I needed to lose. Shortly after that I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. It isn't an injury, but it certainly has been life changing for me. Before that, and in my 20's and 30's, I ran, did aerobics etc. The fibro is and has been a huge adjustment. I have to listen to my body more and some days take it easier than others. It's true that the more I exercise, the better I feel. Some days I can walk five miles, others 2 or 3 and I'm done.

I would say definitely check with your doctor about what he thinks is the safest thing for you to do. Have you thought about swimming? I know people with arthritis that really like doing that.

I walk and have just started doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.

I'd say you have to have tolerance for the changes your body has gone through and just keep at it!!

I spent from 8 March last year until October completely unable to walk, and it was massively depressing at the time. I'd broken my foot right on the joint (Jones Fracture) and it didn't heal on it's own so I had to have it screwed together and endure another attempted healing process) I felt completely hopeless. The stares from people, especially children when I went to the store or the zoo, etc were really disconcerting, and I, like you was worried about my career (as a field anthropologist). I slowly started working on walking in October, and by December, with the help of specialized brace on my right lower leg I was doing really well. By February I was able to ditch the brace altogether. Unfortunately, on 21 March the unthinkable happened and I tore all of the ligaments in my left ankle, which put me out of commission until just a week ago. It's something that, while you're recovering can tear you down to you most basic self, where you have to relearn everything you do in every-day life. It's something that can make you cry and want to scream, but you push through it because, in the end you realize you've become a stronger person. My injuries have left my ankles badly arthritic (I'm only 26!) and there's over a 50% chance of both injuries reoccurring in the next five years....but I don't let it slow me down.

Whenever I'm unable to walk, I still make it to the gym...I work on upper body and strengthening my upper legs carefully. I've found going to the gym to be a great moral boost, because the staff is so accommodating and encouraging. Likewise, my fellow gym goers will come up to me, and instead of staring and gawking like regular people, they'll shake my hand and comment on my fantastic determination. It gives me hope and inspiration.

I won't ever be able to run for an extended period, but I recognize that, and move on. I can run on the gym machines because there isn't impact involved, and I know I could run if someone was chasing me! lol. The pain is just there to tell you to be careful...that you can push yourself just as hard as before, but you need to be conscious of the risks.

You probably don't want to hear it, because you probably have a million times (I sure have) but it takes time...you'll be back to hiking (I've planned a hiking trip for August as a motivation to get myself completely healed and fit asap) and other activities in time. You just need to be patient. You do have a new set of limitations, but that's a new set of challenges to work around and overcome. Stay motivated and take baby steps. Make goals for your recovery and work closely with your physical therapist and ortho surgeon to meet those goals.

I broke my left foot in this exact location in January of this year. My break was 3 fractures and a chip, and I am still recovering. I was lucky and mine healed without surgery. I have been out of my brace since March, and out of my ankle brace for 2 weeks. I hope your recovery goes smoothly from here. Good luck!

You look like you're making a ton of progress! Awesome! Thank you as well. I'm making the best out of it. Like you, I gained weight when I was out of comission (Almost 30 pounds!!!) Just when I started losing it, I had the injury this year... I didn't gain weight this time, I was determined not to, but I have lost a little since then though, and that gives me hope.

I spent from 8 March last year until October completely unable to walk, and it was massively depressing at the time. I'd broken my foot right on the joint (Jones Fracture) and it didn't heal on it's own so I had to have it screwed together and endure another attempted healing process) I felt completely hopeless. The stares from people, especially children when I went to the store or the zoo, etc were really disconcerting, and I, like you was worried about my career (as a field anthropologist). I slowly started working on walking in October, and by December, with the help of specialized brace on my right lower leg I was doing really well. By February I was able to ditch the brace altogether. Unfortunately, on 21 March the unthinkable happened and I tore all of the ligaments in my left ankle, which put me out of commission until just a week ago. It's something that, while you're recovering can tear you down to you most basic self, where you have to relearn everything you do in every-day life. It's something that can make you cry and want to scream, but you push through it because, in the end you realize you've become a stronger person. My injuries have left my ankles badly arthritic (I'm only 26!) and there's over a 50% chance of both injuries reoccurring in the next five years....but I don't let it slow me down.

Whenever I'm unable to walk, I still make it to the gym...I work on upper body and strengthening my upper legs carefully. I've found going to the gym to be a great moral boost, because the staff is so accommodating and encouraging. Likewise, my fellow gym goers will come up to me, and instead of staring and gawking like regular people, they'll shake my hand and comment on my fantastic determination. It gives me hope and inspiration.

I won't ever be able to run for an extended period, but I recognize that, and move on. I can run on the gym machines because there isn't impact involved, and I know I could run if someone was chasing me! lol. The pain is just there to tell you to be careful...that you can push yourself just as hard as before, but you need to be conscious of the risks.

You probably don't want to hear it, because you probably have a million times (I sure have) but it takes time...you'll be back to hiking (I've planned a hiking trip for August as a motivation to get myself completely healed and fit asap) and other activities in time. You just need to be patient. You do have a new set of limitations, but that's a new set of challenges to work around and overcome. Stay motivated and take baby steps. Make goals for your recovery and work closely with your physical therapist and ortho surgeon to meet those goals.

I broke my left foot in this exact location in January of this year. My break was 3 fractures and a chip, and I am still recovering. I was lucky and mine healed without surgery. I have been out of my brace since March, and out of my ankle brace for 2 weeks. I hope your recovery goes smoothly from here. Good luck!

You look like you're making a ton of progress! Awesome! Thank you as well. I'm making the best out of it. Like you, I gained weight when I was out of comission (Almost 30 pounds!!!) Just when I started losing it, I had the injury this year... I didn't gain weight this time, I was determined not to, but I have lost a little since then though, and that gives me hope.

I am a determined person. You are doing great by going to the gym. Can you bike? I started out on a stationary bike at the gym and eventually progressed (my doc okay'd all my activity). Canoeing and kayaking are great for the upper body, maybe that would be a different option for you (depending on where you live). Swimming did great things for my muscle rehab too. You are going to get through it and be stronger for the experience because you have a great attitude.