Friday, 9/20/24 – Finding New Strength
The past few mornings have been a mix of frustration and relief. I wake up intermittently throughout the night, often greeted by sharp stabs of pain in my hip. It’s a strange experience—one moment I’m half asleep, trying to move, and the next, I’m fully awake, wondering why the pain feels worse than the night before. In those early hours, my mind starts to race: “Is today going to be another painful day? Will I even be able to move when I get out of bed?”
But as soon as I’m up and moving, things start to clear. The stiffness, the temporary increase in pain, all begin to subside. Today marked the fourth consecutive morning where, despite the nighttime struggles, I’ve been able to walk with more ease and less pain than the day before. It’s been a long week of pain, but I can sense that my body is healing.
A Day Out and Connection
By 9:15 AM, I was up and getting ready for a much-needed change of scenery. My friend Jordan arrived just before 10, and we headed out for coffee. It was the first time in a while I’d been out like this. We stopped by my favorite coffee shop, grabbed some drinks, and headed up to the cabin for a bit. The gnats were relentless, so we decided to take a joy ride around town. It felt so good to be out, just enjoying the day without the constant weight of pain pulling me down.
We grabbed lunch at Corner BBQ, then came back to my house, where Jordan helped set up my hammock. Our time together was a reminder of how important these connections are—just sitting, talking, and sharing space with someone you trust makes a world of difference when you’re in the middle of recovery.
Once Jordan left, I felt energized and inspired. I spent part of the afternoon reading a new book, Cobalt Red, which I had just started earlier at the cabin. It’s a powerful account of the exploitation of the Congolese people for cobalt mining, a stark reminder of the darker side of the technology we rely on. It’s heavy, but important reading.
Evening Celebrations and a Milestone
In the evening, I made my way to my parents’ house to celebrate Jace’s 9th birthday. I bought him a ukulele, and watching him open it was such a joyful moment. I stayed for a few hours, enjoying the family time. But something truly incredible happened while I was there—towards the end of the evening, I found myself walking through the yard, full weight-bearing without substantial pain.
For the first time in weeks, I didn’t need to rely on my crutches for every step. I held onto them lightly for balance, but I was walking mostly unassisted. It felt like a miracle. After a week of feeling so limited, to walk on my own, even for a short distance, felt like a massive step forward in my healing process. I remember thinking, “Could this be it? Am I finally turning the corner?” I told George later that evening that if things continue this way, I might be walking without crutches by next week.
I ended the night around 10 PM, reflecting on how far I’ve come since those rough days earlier in the week. I’m still in awe of the body’s ability to heal when given time, rest, and a bit of hope. As I headed home, I saw a bright green shooting star streak across the sky. It felt like the universe was sending a message, one of hope and possibility.
Saturday, 9/21/24 – Continuing the Healing Journey
The morning started slowly after a restless night in the hammock. I came inside around 10:30 AM, noticing a familiar sharp pain as my toe touched the floor. It seems like the mornings bring a bit more discomfort, but I’ve learned not to let it discourage me. I’ve found that as soon as I start moving and getting into my routine, the pain begins to dissipate.
I kicked off the day with a long physical therapy session. Today, PT felt more empowering than it has in weeks. It’s amazing how these exercises help activate my muscles, flush out toxins, and relieve some of the fluid pressure that’s been building up in my hip. I did each exercise for about five minutes, then spent 10 minutes on the Sadhu boards while focusing on breathwork.
PT has become more than just physical exercise—it’s a way for me to connect with my body, to tune in and listen. With breathwork and mindfulness, it feels like I’m healing not just my body, but my mind and soul as well.
A Midday Break and an Unexpected Visit
By mid-afternoon, I settled into my favorite recliner, sipping a cappuccino while reading The Invisible Rainbow. This book has been an eye-opener, offering new perspectives on the connections between electricity, health, and the natural world. There’s something calming about sitting by the window, watching the birds at the feeder while diving into a good book.
A little while later, my friend Bill called and asked if he and his wife could stop by. Bill is 86, and we’ve become good friends over the years. He used to be a regular customer at my business, Cell Repair 4 Less, and now we’ve built a great connection outside of that. They visited for about 90 minutes, and it was a joy to spend time catching up and hearing his stories.
Evening Family Time and Further Progress
In the evening, my mother and nephew came by to help with some household chores. They did everything from washing dishes to filling the bird feeders. We also had a little ukulele session—Jace loves his birthday present! Spending time with them lifted my spirits, and we even did some walking outside.
Later that night, I was able to walk 30 feet on two separate occasions with minimal support from my crutches. It’s the second night in a row I’ve walked like this, and each step feels like a miracle. It’s hard to believe how far I’ve come in just a few days.
By the time I sat down at my desk to work on blog entries from the previous week, I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. I ended the night reviewing my notes, writing entries, and reflecting on this whirlwind week. The progress, though slow, is undeniable. Healing is happening.
Milestones from the Week (9/16 – 9/21)
This week has been full of small but significant victories. Here are a few milestones I’ve reached since 9/16, marking progress in both my physical recovery and mental resilience:
9/16 Monday: After days of intense pain, I experienced a shift. The physical therapy I started at home gave me a glimmer of hope. It was the first day I felt like I could begin to reclaim my mobility, even though the journey ahead still seemed long.
9/17 Tuesday: A breakthrough day—physically and emotionally. The intense pain that had lingered for the past week finally lightened up, making me feel hopeful again. I was able to get out of the bathtub in just one minute (down from three minutes the day before). This was the first day I truly believed the worst was behind me.
9/18 Wednesday: I experienced more mobility as I reached down to touch my toes during physical therapy, something I hadn’t been able to do in weeks. That evening, I took my van out for the first time in 8 days, a small but meaningful step toward regaining independence.
9/19 Thursday: Another key progress point was being able to transfer out of the bathtub by standing up from the seat. I felt more stability in my right leg, and for the first time in weeks, I could shower without pain while sitting down. The drainage from my incision also started to reduce, signaling a possible turning point.
9/20 Friday: I walked at my parents’ house for the first time without substantial pain, relying only on my crutches for balance. I also managed to bear weight on my right leg, something I hadn’t been able to do for what felt like forever.
9/21 Saturday: Today, I managed to walk 30 feet with minimal support from crutches—twice. My body continues to show signs of healing, and for the second day in a row, the pain was minimal. Each day brings new victories, and I’m so grateful for the progress I’ve made.
Thank you for taking the time to read this! If you made it to the end, feel free to leave a comment!
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu – May All Beings Be Happy and Free