I’m a miracle? What?

Here’s a picture taken the 1 year anniversary day...

                                                    

So, we are 3 weeks post the 1 year anniversary mark. What an emotional few weeks, especially the very week post. On the following Monday I had normal physical therapy that day. At the end my PT said "We are going to meet your recreational therapist on the 3rd floor. So I’ll have you walk onto the elevator and ride up standing." I didn’t think about it was "my floor" as an inpatient. I honestly was dreading rec therapy, I assumed my PT and Rec therapist had devised some torturous new "fun" activity to work my outer thigh muscles for walking that could only be done on the 3rd floor. No biggie right? 

The elevator ride was a first in over a year. It was very strange to be standing and feeling it move. It’s very interesting to notice movements I never would have noticed or given a second thought to before, and to hope I will get back to one day, the not noticing the extra movements.

Oh yeah, back to my torture...the doors opened up and I started to walk off, then I heard the song Oceans (Where feet my fail) one of my favorites and some cheering and clapping. When I looked up my inpatient therapist had gathered together to say happy anniversary! I made it 2 steps before I lost it. Looking at the faces of these friends who pushed me, encouraged me, and shared their lives with me over the 5 months I spent in Mary Free Bed recovering from the accident, I just couldn’t walk anymore. I had to take a few more shaky steps to get the wheelchair position correctly so I could sit. I was so overwhelmed they would do this. It’s so awesome to be surrounded by people who get me and understand how much this would mean to me. We took this picture...

                                                        

These are just a few of my heroes there are many not pictured. Each one of them, and many more, have greatly affected my life. I am so grateful they chose their specific areas and chose MFB! I remember a time when I drove to the local state college, I had big dreams of becoming the only baton twirler in the marching band and becoming a occupational therapist but specializing in music therapy. I never actually walked into the building. I got nervous and left. I never looked at those areas again. 

This experience has me thinking about how fulfilling those jobs are. I imagine with the wrong person they would be hard, but those people who work hard and saw results would be worth it. It’s made me sad I didn’t take that path. 

So this picture was taken after walking like crazy in physical therapy, well for me, and crying. This wasn’t the end of emotions to overcome me that week.

Tuesday, I had an appointment with my doctor. He just said how impressed he was over my progress over the last year. He talked a little about when he took over my case and not being sure what he was supposed to do. I was unresponsive at that point. Needless to say I left that appointment in awe. Understanding from a physician perspective how much of a miracle I am. I think he used that word, miracle. It’s very humbling to have people talk about you that way. Especially since I am only doing what I need to do to feel ‘normal’. 

Wednesday I had a follow up with another doctor. It was a 1 year check up. The last time I saw this doctor I was on a gurney and had to have an ambulance transfer. He shared with us that when he did my surgery he wasn’t sure it would be worth it. I wasn’t out of the woods for death yet and I was unresponsive. I believe I was still in a coma at that time. He explained he doesn’t like to do surgery just to do surgery. Especially if the patient might not be of benefit of the surgery. He didn’t necessarily want me recovering from yet another surgery if it wouldn’t benefit me. He looked at me and said I exceeded all his expectations and he was glad he preformed the surgery. I believe he used the miracle word too. I left his office again in awe that God chose to not only keep me alive but also bring me as far as he has.

I am blown away by the events of that week. God hasn’t stopped healing me. I continue to see new things I can do in every therapy. My heart just wants to honor what He chose to do with me, whatever that is...but right now it’s one foot(with a 4 lbs weight on it) in front of the other and stand in trust.

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