When I was 16 I was in a single car accident that changed my
life. I was the front seat passenger and
sustained injuries that at the time had doctors telling me I would struggle
with pain and difficulty running and flexing my foot possibly for the rest of
my life. My life did change that day and
even in the present I struggle with PTSD however I have overcome tremendously
the physical limitations the doctors originally set on me.
I remember feeling lower than low after my accident and
crying to my mom, asking why? My mom,
like me, loved music and often paralleled life events with songs. I’ll never forget when she said, The Eagles say
it best when they sing, “In a New York minute, everything can change.”
If you think about it, that lyric is so true. Weather something has happened either good or
bad, we’ve all experienced that “New York Minute” where everything did
change. I know for myself when my life
seems to take a complete 180 I have to work on creating my new normal.
So what is my new normal today? Right now, with my new body, my temporary
physical limitations, and round the clock non-stop doctor’s appointments
figuring out my new normal is slightly overwhelming. I wish there was a book I could read that
would give me the answers to all the running questions in my head.
My head, “What do I do when I go back to work? When can I run, hike…even walk up the stairs
without getting winded again? Will I
ever be able to sleep on my side comfortably again? How soon after all my expander fills will I be
able to have my exchange surgery for my permanent implants? Will I have to be stupid octopus
again?.....” Are you tired yet, because
my grand central head exhausts me!
With all that is new, I inevitably have my ups and
downs. I work to stay positive and
continue to share my story with anyone that wants to hear it. Although my New York minute has changed my
life, I realize this one is positive. I
have my life, everything did change, I changed my future and took the game of
playing Russian roulette with breast cancer into my own hands. Everyday there is a new challenge that gets
introduced to me but with all the support I have I know my new normal is going
to be all good!
