Light At The End Of The Tunnel

Happy Valentine's Day!

There may be no romance in my life at the moment (no big deal, I'm fine with it) yet I am floating on air.

What brought about this distinct change of mental direction?  Well, let me tell you ...

After many attempts to speak with a doctor at the orthopaedic clinic to which I was referred, and venting my frustration to the poor woman who's job it is to answer the phone, I was slated in for an appointment this past Friday.  Oh joy, oh bliss and hallelujah! Finally.  I also managed to snag a last-minute telephone appointment with my own doctor later that morning.  After two months of zero communication with actual medical professionals, I had not one but two in one day!

This appointment, via Zoom, had me face to face on the screen with a pretty good looking doctor who stated that my stress fracture had healed (which is why nothing showed up on the recent CT scan).  Overall, he recommended physio therapy and a slow reintroduction of physical activity. I pushed for an MRI just to make sure all bases were covered. 

I then chatted with my own doctor, bringing her up to date and asking for a recommendation for a physical therapist. Following her suggestion, a call was made and an hour later I walked through the door of a lovely wellness clinic in downtown Squamish. 45 minutes after that, almost in tears of relief, I walked back out with a massive weight lifted off my shoulders. She was going to take care of me and get me back up on my feet. 

I had not fully appreciated just how heavy the emotional and physical burden was with this injury. Yes, it was a small stress fracture and nothing compared to the physical challenges others are going through. All I had to do was stay home and not be walking about; no medication or hospitalization required. Yet, this injury greatly impacted what I enjoy most in life (besides my kids!): being mobile outside in the great big natural world. Locking myself up for two months and not being outside on a daily basis took its toll.

Leaving the physio clinic, on the verge of tears, I felt sheer relief that my injury and recovery were most definitely moving in the right direction. The world instantly looked and felt brighter. I was going to be okay. Life, once again, was grand.

We never know, in the moment, just how heavy life's challenges truly are. It is only afterwards, with the challenge firmly positioned in the rear view mirror, are we able to acknowledge how impactful and worrisome life had become. We go about our lives, adjusting our routines and behaviours, thinking nothing of it. Once those adjustments are no longer required, and life takes on more of its usual sense of normalcy, that we clearly see how dark life once was and just how much brighter life now is.

The good news is that the bone in my foot has healed! Thanks to physio, the residual discomfort will eventually disappear. I can now let myself think, once again, of summer hiking in the Rockies and being back out on the trails!  Yay! 

I'm starting to feel more like myself again, and it feels FANTASTIC! Hello stranger, it's been a while.

For everyone out there facing down challenges, hang in there. That proverbial light at the end of the tunnel is there. Keep your eyes firmly focused on it and you will come out the other side.

Happy Sunday, Happy Valentine's Day!

I think I'll go find some chocolate.

Deborah L. Wade Photography