The Injury That Started It All...

Three weeks ago, I had surgery; but that's not where this story begins. For over two years, I struggled with my left foot. It would swell, I felt unstable, I couldn't walk on uneven ground, I was unable to wear anything other than special tennis shoes, the list goes on and on. I saw multiple doctors, wore a walking boot for 6 weeks, went to physical therapy 3 times a week for several months, had injections in my ankle - nothing worked. Any time I would try to go on walks, go to the gym, etc, I felt like I was taking 1 step forward and 5 steps back. I wanted to lose weight, I wanted to be healthy, but my body wouldn't work with me. I felt like a total failure.

Finally, in June of 2022 my podiatrist gave me an option. He said that there was a small chance of a tear in my tendon that the imaging tests weren't picking up. He had seen this in other patients, but the only way to know for sure was surgery.

After a long discussion with my family and boyfriend, we decided it was worth the risk - I was going to have surgery.

Surgery was scheduled on my birthday (late August). I was scared. What if I went through surgery and nothing was wrong? Was this really all in my head like everyone told me it was?

Fast forward to my first post-op appointment (I was too out of it to remember what he said after surgery), and my podiatrist told me that not only did I have a vertical tendon tear, but that ALL of my ligaments in my ankle were ruptured. He didn't even know how I was able to walk before! The damage was so bad that they had to create an internal brace; which included an anchor and 3 screws.

WHAT?!

Even though recovery was going to be longer and more difficult than expected, I have to admit, part of me was happy. For years, my body was telling me something was wrong - and I did everything right! I went to specialists, had imaging done, did physical therapy. All to be told that they "couldn't find anything" and that it would "go away in time". Or, the worst response yet "inflammation in our joints is natural as we get older - you'll get used to it". I WAS ONLY 31!

So, what's the point of this? Why am I telling you about my surgery?

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY.

I repeat...

LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

I knew something was wrong. Despite what everyone around me said, my body was giving me signals every day. My body was screaming for help in the only way it knew how - I just had to listen.

My journey is just beginning. Three more weeks of a cast, 4+ weeks of a walking boot, then who knows how much physical therapy to regain range of motion. It's daunting. But, it's what my body NEEDS.

As I continue on this journey, I will be documenting my progress, including the signals that my body is sending me and how I hear and respond to them.

My hope is that as you join our community, you will learn these skills as well. Whether it be physical limitations, stress related, hormonal, or dietary - our body speaks. It yells actually. Imagine that your body is toddler - because that's what it is! It screams and yells, causes a scene - until you finally listen.

We cannot solve all of our problems at once, but we can identify what needs to be addressed. The question is...

Are you listening?