jdrg’s AchillesBlog

Just wanted to share a few happy milestones and a healthy dose of perspective.  Yes the adage is true that when faced with challenges, one is lovingly reminded of life’s many blessings.

Yesterday marked the end of Week 2 post-ATR and:

• 1st (of 5) felt heel wedges taken out of the ‘moonboot’ (my pet name for the Ossur Rebound Air Walker boot I’m currently in)
• 1st time shaving my injured limb
• 1st time driving the car on my own
• 1st girls’ nite gathering with friends
• 1st time back in a pair of jeans (I managed to stretch a pair of bootcut Mavi’s over the moonboot. Yay!)

Small victories, I know, but they still felt great!

Also, I have been completely overwhelmed by the generosity and love that’s been pouring in from family, friends and colleagues.  We have been treated to so many gifts of baking, meals, flowers, offers to drive our kids to/from practices, etc., bookstore gift certificates!  I am incredibly grateful to have such kind and thoughtful people in my life.

My partner has been unbelievably patient and supportive.  He rigged up the bike cart system (in header photo) to get me outside and down to the beach for a glass of wine within days of getting the cast on.  My kids have stepped up beyond my expectations too.  They even made up a weekday chart for who will be on dinner prep, dinner clean-up or "errand kid" (which basically just means who will let Mom boss them around and have them do chores that can’t be accomplished on crutches).  I know everyone will get tired and all this will likely wear thin after a few weeks, but I am still so blown away by their maturity and cheerful, helpful support.

As I spend a little more time sitting around than my usual life affords, some more ’silver linings’ that come to mind include…

• I’m not pregnant and my kids aren’t babies/toddlers anymore.  Hats off to all of you out there who are doing it.  You are AMAZING!
• I didn’t have my gigantic (to the top of my thigh) cast on in the middle of August.
• The main living space in our house (including master bedroom and bath) is all on one floor. Yay!
• I have great medical coverage and can take the needed time off work to heal. (I have been self-employed in the past so I am incredibly thankful that there isn’t added financial stress for our family right now).
• My left Achilles is injured so I can now drive an automatic (with my thigh propped up on a pillow to avoid too much weight on the boot rested on the ground).
• I’m still reasonably flexible so I can/could still get dressed and bathe on my own with the giant cast and now, with the boot system.