Jayniana Jones Rises with One Leg

[Jayniana Jones]

I took a few months off from the forums because life just kept coming at me and mentally I stumbled. In a tiny nutshell, I can't use my left leg and have been on crutches for nearly 12 months (I had 1 1/2 months where I could walk 2 miles on level ground in August). The details are at the bottom of the post in case you want a quick recap of my rocky road.

 

This round, I'm guild hopping to the Adventurers. I've been in the druids for awhile and before surgery hung out in the assassin's guild. I look forward to meeting some like minded souls and reconnecting with those I've been missing for the last few months.

 

My main goal for this round of the challenge to reconnect with my adventuring, challenge-loving spirit.

Here are my sub-goals:

• Eat 5 fruits or veggies per day.
  I've been sabotaging myself and eating junk. Time to straighten up.
• Embrace being one legged by getting out on bike trails with my scooter at least 2 times a week. (Maybe geocache a bit?)
  Most likely in June, I'll have a foot and ankle surgery that will leave me unable to walk for at least a year (some people it takes 18 months). That's a really long time to go without hiking, geocaching, or exploring new areas in nature. I recently bought an all-terrain scooter to cruise along bike trails and through stores. It gets me more mobile. I have custom crutches coming mid-challenge so I'm hoping I'll be able to grab a few geocaches with them.
• Workout my uppers and modify lower exercises (when possible) to strengthen my right leg 3 times a week.
  The main motivation for this one is so that I'm ready for my new crutches. Since I wore out my crutches (sad, but true) I ordered a set of crutches that will allow me to hike. Here's a link to a video of a guy who did the entire Tahoe Rim Trail with these crutches: 
  The video made me cry because, honestly, I thought I'd never be able to explore the backcountry again. (I was told by a few doctors that surgery may not allow me to walk further than a mile.)
• Continue editing my novel 3 hours per week and close my business.
  My dream is to become a published novelist. I'm currently working on a romantic comedy. I'm about halfway through the first round of edits. Right now, I'm swamped with web design projects because I inherited my mom's clients. I've wanted to close down my business for awhile and the pending surgery seems like a good time to let everyone go. My plan is to have the business closed by the time this challenge is over so that I can focus on my writing career and the rehab involved with my surgery. 

 

I'm feeling more sturdy this round and ready to take on the challenge of redefining my life.  

 

Here's the short version of my stumbling story...

In April 2016, I had my left ACL repaired for the second time and in the middle of my rehab, I started to have problems with my left ankle. In November  2016 (after months of getting a run around with doctors and physical therapists), I found out my posterior tibial tendon in my ankle is torn. In case you're wondering what that is, it's the tendon that allows you to flex your foot and is the most important one for walking. This is devasting for an outdoor enthusiast. (I joke with my family that I'm solar powered because I love being outside so much.) I've spent the last six months doing daily exercises and weekly physical therapy for my foot and there is no sign of it getting better. Without surgery, I won't be able to walk more than 1/4 mile on a good day without crutches or a scooter. I can't stand for longer than 20 minutes and have to prop my leg whenever I sit. Among all my leg stuff, my mom passed away in January 2017 of ovarian cancer (we were very close and I was by her side all the way to the end). I felt numb through February and March and honestly didn't care about my fitness and health. Being reminded constantly of what I can't physically do on a daily basis made me wonder what the point of trying to do anything was since pain increases when I try to be normal. Most of the time, I'm a pretty upbeat person and I've been struggling to find anything good in my mess. However, I did learn I'm a terrible couch potato.

 

My need for surgery was confirmed last week. I had a date scheduled but backed out because the surgeon wants to do a lot more than my second opinion surgeon had wanted to. I meet with the second surgeon on May 18. Along the way, I had also found out my ligaments on the outside of my knee are most likely torn and if I want I could pursue repairing them once my foot is healed. Yikes and no thanks. At this point, I don't care much about my knee (it doesn't hurt). I'll just be happy if I can walk again.

 

Life knocked me around a bit, but I'm ready to get back up and continue. Even if it's with only one leg. 

[Sylvaa]

Welcome back and yay for hanging out with the Adventurer's!

 

A lot of people stumble with a lot less going on than you have. It's no small feat to come back! I love how you are working with what you've got and can't wait to see you do amazing this challenge!

[Vibrantella]

Great to see you back, welcome!   Good luck with your challenge!

 

When you're published, let us know  

[fiddle-on]

You've got quite a story! I'm sorry to hear about your mother. That's a very hard thing to go through, especially on top of your own health issues. I'm glad you decided it's time to get back up and push through again.

 

If the scooter lets you get outside, more power to it. Being trapped indoors is just miserable, even without added pain.

 

 

[WolfDreamer]

13 hours ago, Jayniana Jones said:

I'm guild hopping to the Adventurers.

 

Welcome! We're a wild and very supportive bunch. Your challenge is excellent, and I admire your courage to keep on in spite of your injury. I'm here to cheer you on!

 

 

[Dagger]

23 hours ago, Sylvaa said:

Welcome back and yay for hanging out with the Adventurer's!

 

A lot of people stumble with a lot less going on than you have. It's no small feat to come back! I love how you are working with what you've got and can't wait to see you do amazing this challenge!

+1. Sylvaa said it better than I ever could.

 

Welcome back and you are strong.

[Jayniana Jones]

On 4/18/2017 at 7:30 AM, Sylvaa said:

Welcome back and yay for hanging out with the Adventurer's!

 

A lot of people stumble with a lot less going on than you have. It's no small feat to come back! I love how you are working with what you've got and can't wait to see you do amazing this challenge!

 

Thanks. I can't tell you how much it means to read your perspective and words of encouragement.

 

On 4/18/2017 at 7:43 AM, Vibrantella said:

Great to see you back, welcome!   Good luck with your challenge!

 

When you're published, let us know  

 

Thanks. I definitely will. My book will be awhile though. 

 

On 4/18/2017 at 9:04 AM, fiddle-on said:

You've got quite a story! I'm sorry to hear about your mother. That's a very hard thing to go through, especially on top of your own health issues. I'm glad you decided it's time to get back up and push through again.

 

If the scooter lets you get outside, more power to it. Being trapped indoors is just miserable, even without added pain.

 

 

 

Thanks. My scooter has been a great morale booster. It's super fun to ride full speed through stores. I feel like I'm a kid getting away with something.  

 

On 4/18/2017 at 11:27 AM, Wolfen said:

 

Welcome! We're a wild and very supportive bunch. Your challenge is excellent, and I admire your courage to keep on in spite of your injury. I'm here to cheer you on!

 

 

 

Super. I appreciate it.

 

13 hours ago, Dagger said:

+1. Sylvaa said it better than I ever could.

 

Welcome back and you are strong.

 

Thanks. 

[Jayniana Jones]

Mid-week check in:

So far so good. I scooted about 1 1/2 miles on Monday. I have two workouts in. I've been intermittently using the Hero's Journey workout from darebee.com and have completed 2 days of workouts (day 21 and 22). Planks were done using one leg. The pushups were done with my knees on yoga blocks because I can't quite do single leg pushups at the moment. The only modification for my uppers with free weights was I sat instead of stood.

 

This morning my hubby commented that if it were possible to go larger than 180 degrees without completing a circle that would accurately describe the positive shift in my mood and outlook.    I'll confess I feel bad for my crash, but I'm glad that his worry about me is lessening. I did, however, get chewed out by my grandma for doing too much for my mom's customers without getting paid. Somedays I just can't win.  

[Jayniana Jones]

My goodness. I'm like a little kid waiting for Santa to put presents under my tree. Who knew getting custom crutches in the mail could be so exciting. The weather over the weekend has been fabulous and I've found myself wishing the crutches were on their way so I could hike to my favorite spots. I think they'll be shipped by mid-week, so I'm assuming I'll receive them the week of May 1. 

 

Update for last week:

Eat 5 fruits or veggies per day.
Yes. However, I may need to tweak this one a bit because my dad gave me an ice cream maker as a "Thank You" gift and as the temps go up so does the amount of ice cream intake. I did put berries on one round...  

 

Embrace being one legged.
Yes. I actually attempted a few walks with the old standard crutches in addition to the scooter. I sort of messed up today because I voiced wanting to be normal during a pity party and later realized I forgot to put on my ankle brace. Pain is a great teacher/reminder once I listen. It's pretty swollen at the moment.

 

Workout my uppers and lowers

2 out of 3. My workload got heavier thanks to tech and programming headaches. I should've stopped to workout instead of trying the same things over and over again.

 

Novel and Business Shutdown

My novel received 1 hour of attention. The business closing made greater strides and I sent out a few emails to customers letting them know I'm closing. I'm feeling anxious about letting go of my loyal clients and struggling with closing my mom's business at the same time. 

 

 

[Dagger]

7 hours ago, Jayniana Jones said:

The business closing made greater strides and I sent out a few emails to customers letting them know I'm closing. I'm feeling anxious about letting go of my loyal clients and struggling with closing my mom's business at the same time. 

You talked about the anxiety of selling on my challenge. You seem to be under a different strain of anxiety. I don't even want to think about how yours would feel (too much of an empath for that). I'll give you the same advice you gave me. Remember the relief you'll feel when it is done.

 

What genre is your novel?

 

 

[WolfDreamer]

10 hours ago, Jayniana Jones said:

My novel received 1 hour of attention.

 

I am also looking forward to hearing about your novel. 

[karinajean]

hey! it's great to see you back here again, though holy cow you have had a ROUGH few months. I'm really sorry about your mom, dear.

 

You sound super positive and I'm glad that you're getting custom crutches! it's not the worst to be a bad couch potato, also. file under "GOOD TO KNOW."

[fiddle-on]

On ‎4‎/‎23‎/‎2017 at 7:33 PM, Jayniana Jones said:

My goodness. I'm like a little kid waiting for Santa to put presents under my tree. Who knew getting custom crutches in the mail could be so exciting. The weather over the weekend has been fabulous and I've found myself wishing the crutches were on their way so I could hike to my favorite spots. I think they'll be shipped by mid-week, so I'm assuming I'll receive them the week of May 1. 

 

Update for last week:

Eat 5 fruits or veggies per day.
Yes. However, I may need to tweak this one a bit because my dad gave me an ice cream maker as a "Thank You" gift and as the temps go up so does the amount of ice cream intake. I did put berries on one round...  

 

 

 

 

Ooh, I've been wanting an ice cream maker for years, and not buying it because of temptation. Maybe some kind of frozen fruit smash without extra sugar? Experiment with carrot flavored frozen yogurt? Bean based ice creams? I make popsicles out of plain fruit I toss in the blender.

[Jayniana Jones]

Checking in.

My fancy crutches arrived last Wednesday (5/3). The weather has been gorgeous around 65 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. It's been hard to stay inside so as soon as I've completed my web design work, I head outside. From last Wednesday to today, I've logged 15 miles with my crutches. I'm struggling with pain thanks to gravity and swelling around the ankle tendon, but it feels good to be back on the trails. It's been 1 1/2 years since I've been able to hike. 

 

I haven't done any free weights because my arms got quite a workout adapting to the crutches. I'm just about adapted so I think I'll pick them up at the end of the week.

 

It's been hard to get my writing hours in during the week because work is taking longer than expected. Last Saturday I logged the full three hours in the morning. It felt good to meet my goal even though it wasn't spread out over the week.

 

I see the end of the tunnel for my mom's clients. I've got about half of them moved on. The other half is in the works. 

 

Eating my fruits and veggies is going well. 

 

I plan to catch up with everyone this week. I hope your challenges are going well.

 

 

[Jayniana Jones]

The problem with nice weather is a tend to ditch my computer and go outside... Sorry for my delayed responses.

On 4/24/2017 at 2:07 AM, Dagger said:

You talked about the anxiety of selling on my challenge. You seem to be under a different strain of anxiety. I don't even want to think about how yours would feel (too much of an empath for that). I'll give you the same advice you gave me. Remember the relief you'll feel when it is done.

 

What genre is your novel?

 

 

 

Hee hee, it's easy to forget my own advice applies to my own situations.  My novel is a romantic comedy. 
 

On 4/24/2017 at 5:01 AM, Wolfen said:

 

I am also looking forward to hearing about your novel. 

 

Thanks.

 

On 4/24/2017 at 11:25 AM, karinajean said:

hey! it's great to see you back here again, though holy cow you have had a ROUGH few months. I'm really sorry about your mom, dear.

 

You sound super positive and I'm glad that you're getting custom crutches! it's not the worst to be a bad couch potato, also. file under "GOOD TO KNOW."

 

Thanks. My super positive took awhile to come back, but I'm glad it's back. The couch potato reference has been filed under "GOOD TO KNOW". I may have to post it on the wall across from my couch so I see it when I'm elevating my leg.  

 

On 4/25/2017 at 9:36 AM, fiddle-on said:

 

Ooh, I've been wanting an ice cream maker for years, and not buying it because of temptation. Maybe some kind of frozen fruit smash without extra sugar? Experiment with carrot flavored frozen yogurt? Bean based ice creams? I make popsicles out of plain fruit I toss in the blender.

1

An ice cream maker is an awesome gadget. Ice cream making has been a hobby of mine over the last ten years. I have a recipe book with normal and unusual flavors that I've been slowly working through trying each one. Our previous ice cream maker had broken and with my medical bills, it never reached the priority window for purchasing a new one.  We've tried some fruit sorbets which are quite yummy. The carrot flavored yogurt I've never heard of and now I'll have to try it. Bean based ice creams black beans are weird, however, red bean is delicious. My least favorite flavors at the moment are blue cheese and sweet pea. The most surprising flavor has been basil. Luckily, whipping cream hasn't been in the house (on purpose) so sorbets and sherbets are getting more attention.  

[Jayniana Jones]

Yesterday, I felt disappointed because my hands hurt from using my crutches. The grip is way different from regular crutches. When I looked at my pedometer on my phone this morning I discovered I walked 20 miles last week.

 

I also learned last week not to do the same number single leg squats in place of regular squats. I wasn't sure what I was thinking but my workout left my right leg (the uninjured one) really sore for three days. 

 

My writing received 20 hours of attention last week because my son turkey hunted with my dad. My daughter is mostly self-propelled for her school stuff. 

[Dagger]

3 hours ago, Jayniana Jones said:

Hee hee, it's easy to forget my own advice applies to my own situations.

Haha, don't we all.

[Jayniana Jones]

Recap: I fell apart the last week of the challenge. What I didn't do was think about how my workouts, eating, and work needed to be rearranged and tweaked when a week is filled to the brim with driving everyone and doctor appointments. That'll be something I plan for next time. Also, I need to stop overcommitting myself. Every yes to an event means a no to something else. 

 

The biggest, most mind-blowing thing that happened last week...

Last Thursday (5/18), I met with my surgeon to schedule surgery to repair my foot. The surgery was scheduled for 6/7. That afternoon, under the insistence of my friend, I went to her chiropractor (I had seen a different chiropractor almost 10 months ago so I was skeptical that he could do anything. However, I'm a little desperate to avoid surgery and the one-year recovery that follows. Especially, since there is no guarantee that it would work.). He asked lots of questions and then informed me that the right-side of my brain was damaged and it forgot that I have a left leg. What??? A long time ago (25 years), I was an avid, obsessed rock climber and I fell off a cliff. My head struck the ground multiple times and I bounced into the river. I walked away with stitches in my head, two fractured vertebrae in my neck, four broken ribs, double vision and very sore muscles. I have no memory of the fall or my time in the hospital. Honestly, I thought the guy was crazy because I've been fine except for my leg. He did some adjustments, some deep tissue massage and is having me do rehab exercises that are similar to what someone would do if they had a stroke. That afternoon I had no pain. The next day I walked with no crutches and no pain.

 

One week later, I'm still pain-free. I can walk without any assistive devices. My leg and foot have serious atrophy, but it can be rebuilt.

 

Everything I want to do is back as a possibility!

 

[Dagger]

1 hour ago, Jayniana Jones said:

That afternoon I had no pain. The next day I walked with no crutches and no pain.

 

One week later, I'm still pain-free. I can walk without any assistive devices. My leg and foot have serious atrophy, but it can be rebuilt.

 

Everything I want to do is back as a possibility!

 

Woooow... That is amazing. Rooting so hard for you from here!

[Dagger]

How is it going? Is your leg still so good you can walk on it?

[Jayniana Jones]

On 6/4/2017 at 3:11 AM, Dagger said:

How is it going? Is your leg still so good you can walk on it?

Five weeks and I'm still walking with no pain. I just got the clearance to hike 40 minutes a day! I'm still amazed by this whole process. The hardest part is containing my excitement and not overdoing it.

[Dagger]

3 hours ago, Jayniana Jones said:

Five weeks and I'm still walking with no pain. I just got the clearance to hike 40 minutes a day! I'm still amazed by this whole process. The hardest part is containing my excitement and not overdoing it.

Dance party time! (Well soon.) *dancing* Such great awesome news.