Mystery and Sword
November 24, 2011 by gabe
Hi, I am Gabe and I ruptured my left achilles on 11/13/11 playing soccer. It was a fairly typical ‘pop’ and look around…
Had surgery on 11/16, now on a fiberglass cast. Dr. suggesting 4 weeks on it but willing to ‘cut it’ in two or even switch to Cam walker. After researching the site still not sure on which way to go. Open for suggestions.
I know the rupture can be coldly explained with scientific facts…Still I wonder, child like, about that invisible Sword that ‘cut’ down my achilles and the Mystery like the timing she chose for it…
I am looking forward to offer support and companionship to others going through this and that we all recover well. Thank you for sharing and being supportive. Happy Thanksgiving and best recovery,
Gabe
Hello
Gabe,
Its been almost three months for me, and I’m still in shock, and still looking for an explanation. Like why me?, and not the person who was jumping next to me?
For me, the injury happened at the worst possible time, and it changed my life quickly and drastically. The Sword knows no timing and it has no compassion either.
Hi Gabe, I’m on week 5 as of today. Still NWB…but it has been an interesting 5 weeks! I tried to accept it & rest…but it didn’t work. The best thing for me was chucking the crutches. I got a used walker with a bench to rest my knee on and my world opened back up. I’m able to do so much more…including kickboxing if you can imagine. I’ve also used this time to learn new things (I can now knit) & also catch up on some projects & never had the time for. In fact there are so many things I want to do that I don’t think my recovery will be long enough! Try to put a positive spin on things & the best will come. Good Luck!
Hi Leni, thank you for your encouragement. Looking at the bright side of things usually helps and I also have plenty things to catch up with. Logistics are tough. I’m looking into perhaps renting a knee roller for work. Best recovery,
Hi Claudia, yes it is a cruel and insensitive Sword… My hope and goal is to further develop compassion for ourselves and others so something positive comes out of the Mystery…
Good luck on your recovery,
Hi Gabe
That’s a very positive thought: developing compassion for ourselves n others. I am from Singapore n am 12weeks post-op. The last 3 mths have been v surreal, to sat the least. N hv asked the same questions that u hv asked of the sword n mystery. I m 50 hrs old , fairly active n suddenly I lost my mobility! N with that my independence! And that too doing something totally undramatic when it happened–foot slipped into a v shallow ditch!
These past few months I felt v supported by this community–for some reason I had trouble creating my own blog–and I follow everybody’s progress which filled me with hope n optimism.;)) my own progress has been slow but steady.
I wish u and everybody a safe and steady recovery. I will pray along for more compassion to heal all in our community and all who are in any pain or suffering.
Hi Siew bee, thank you for your wishes and prayers. Navigating the blog options and menus, is not always easy. If you send an email to Dennis requesting your own blog, on his response you will find the instructions. It involves some trial and error but you’ll get there.
I was on a personal quest to further develop compassion and kindness in dealing with life’s many challenges, when Mystery Sword came upon me… I hope and pray that I will find inner strength to get closer to full compassion and that all sufferers heal well. Best recovery,
Been in plaster for 2 weeks since LAT rupture, spent the time thinking of how frustrating it is but at the same time evaluating what sports/pastimes I will do in the future (it was squash, cycling, running), spoke to my surgeon and he suggested cycling (woohoo), swimming and walking. I have my first post op check in 4 days so will pick up more tips then.
Agree about the point of how unfair the sword is, when I see others running as I hobble along on my crutches it hurts and frustrates in equal measure
To most people I walk and seem normal. I know things are still I not completely right and I wait for the day I don’t have to think about it but recently I realised how much empathy I have developed for those less fortunate. I was shopping and saw a man limping toward me with a cane and his arm in a sling. He was accompanied by a lady whom I assumed was his partner. He sat down on a bench while she went in to do the shopping (like I used to do). I started to wonder how he got into that mess and if he would ever recover fully, how has it changed his life, is he coping financially and mentally. He looked miserable and in pain. I truly felt sorry for him to the point I almost sat down beside him to chat. If I had been on my own then I may have. The sword of fate may be two edged. When it happened to me I felt cut down at a time I needed to be strong and active. I am starting now to see things from a different perspective and can see much good coming from it.
Stuart, well said.
Hi Stuart, thank you for sharing such valuable insight and blessing. It’s inspiring to know that despite Sword’s pain and suffering not only to us but particularly to our loved ones, we can still develop further compassion and kindness. Hope we can all follow on that path,
Hi Nissim, thank you. I agree as well.
Hi Peter, it’s completely understable to be upset and frustrated with the unfairness/ugliness of Mystery Sword. The challenge for me it’s to be compassionate with myself and others. It seems your timing is close to mine and we have a long way to go. Best luck on your recovery,
You are a couple of weeks behind me. I did mine on 24th October, also playing soccer - so 5 week anniversary was yesterday.
So far I have found two ‘bright sides’
- Slowing my life down, reducing work stress, spending more time with my family, focussing on what’s important
- the road back to full fitness will be an enjoyable challenge - and at least as enjoyable as trying to eke out incremental improvements that were becoming harder and harder
Week 5 has been considerably better than any of weeks 1 to 4. I just posted a new blog on it this morning so won’t repeat it here.
Good luck - and a speedy recovery.
Hi Greg, thank you for sharing. I’m almost two weeks post-op and back to work today. Even that I was ‘taking it easy’ it was exhausting and painful… It’s good to know that it’ll get better in a few weeks. I’m in a cast and I’m hoping to having it open in two weeks and perhaps even moving to the boot. That should bring some relief. Good luck and speedy recovery to you as well,
Hi Stuart, congratulations on your recovery and upcoming move. Thand you for your insights and sharing on this forum. Although I have been here for a short time I know that you will be sorely missed. Best of luck!
Hi Gabe, we had surgery on the same date. Just got my cast off today and am into a boot. Stay positive and share your progression with me. Best of luck.
TC
If one good thing came out of my ATR, it is compassion for the handicapped, the injured, the frail, and the uninsured.
I used to look at homeless people thinking their situation was their own doing, maybe drugs and booze. That is, until I got injured and came close to loosing my job. And with that, goes the health insurance, and with that, come the medical bills that force many into financial ruin. I was very fortunate, but others are just one illness or accident away from bankruptcy. And none of it is their fault.
Hi TC, thank you for your encouragement and congrats on the boot! My potential boot date is Thur Dec 8. I’ll keep you updated. Best of luck in your recovery,
Hi, yes same experience. Deepening awareness and compassion. Day by day…
@ gabe,
how is your healing coming along?
do you live in Manhattan?
difficult city to get around with an ATR…
hi Gabe! how hv u been? did u get ur boot today? hope all is well. take care.
Hi all, thank you for thinking of me. Unfortunately I run into some complications. I will know more tomorrow and I will post. Please send positive thoughts and best recovery to all,
Hello Gabe,
Had surgery Nov 22 in Denver.
Wonderful to see the well wishes and compassion from everyone. Extremely heart warming and helps with the healing and recovery.
Have a new reverence for movement, positive thoughts and the help of others.
Much Peace and Swift Recovery to All!
Hi Ring, I’m sorry about your recent fall and you joining the ATR ‘team’. The support and camaraderie here is invaluable. I have also experienced tingling and incisional pain which seemed to go away slowly with proper elevation. Hope that is your experience. Best wishes and healing thoughts,