Perspective: I swam back from a bad fall. Adversity made me better.
The doctor turned his computer screen around so I could see the break in my back. On the X-ray, a white line crossed all three columns of my first lumbar vertebrae, which carries the weight of the rib cage. I’d also fractured my wrist and shattered a bone in my heel. I’d need surgery to reconstruct my wrist and heel. For my broken back, I had two options: surgically implanted screws to stabilize my vertebrae or months of immobilization in an orthotic brace.
At first, I needed help just to sit up, which meant I needed help with pretty much everything. If you’re ever wondering whether your partner really loves you, ask them to shower you down while your torso’s encased in Tupperware and your leg and arm are duct-taped inside Hefty bags. My wife did the job for months and, amazingly, she’s still around.By the start of the summer, I’d gone from the wheelchair to a walker, then to a four-pronged cane. The back brace, however, stayed put well into June.
I couldn’t flip turn, and my stroke looked like an elephant seal hauling up a beach, but my God, it felt good to be in the water. A month later, when the brace finally came off, my core and back muscles were almost completely atrophied. I’d need six months of physical therapy to build them back up again. All summer I swam at the back of the lane, quickly winded and easily fatigued.By Thanksgiving, I was more or less back to my old self.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Drake Makes Tristan Thompson Best Man in Polygamy-Themed 'Falling Back' VidTristan Thompson makes a quick appearance in Drake's 'Falling Back' music video, where the rapper is getting hitched to over 20 brides.
Read more »
Humbled pros seek redemption as monsoon prediction contest returnsThe U of A's monsoon forecasting contest is back, and organizers are hoping the rain is too.
Read more »
Oakland A’s defensive woes continue as homestand starts with frustrating lossMLB: Oakland A’s have now made an error in eight straight games, and have an American League-worst 46 for the season
Read more »
Breaking Bad Universe: AMC Boss Says 'Door is Open' For More ShowsOnly six episodes remain in the final season of Better Call Saul, and it sure seems like creators [...]
Read more »
Westchase bet big on making Walnut Bend smaller for drivers, in hopes of returning street to local communityA $20 million rebuild improved drainage, significantly widened sidewalks in hopes that a...
Read more »
Why you feel better as soon as that covid test comes back negative“We have learned that social, emotional and behavioral factors influence health,” one expert said. “This mind-body connection is not to be underestimated. It’s real and it’s very powerful.'
Read more »