A Year In Pictures

It's hard not to feel frustrated knowing that today marks a year from my accident. It's hard not to focus on all the things I can't do yet. But, when I sit down and think about everything I got through it's hard not to feel proud.

With that, I made "the year later post" made up of pictures. Because if I look at through pictures and all the steps I have made it through it's so me easier to view it as something i've overcome rather than something that's getting in my way.

Valentines Day 2012, I went to Megans to bake Frank cookies. 

The cookies, minutes before they we're splattered all over York Ave.

From Boston to New York in the middle of the night, Frank made it to the hospital as well as with my parents. 

Surgery 1: The external fixater, a stabilization device. Metal rods attached to my knee and heel.

I was home with that thing for a week! Luckily, I was too drugged to realize what was even going on. 

Surgery two: 3 plates, 21 secrew. Couldn't they just give me a cast?

Ouch, this new metal leg REALLY hurts.

First form of protection, a soft cast.

3 weeks after the accident.. 31 stitches

Hey wait, I'm tugging on my ankle as hard as I can and it won't move.. at all. Not even a cm. No one prepared me for that.

Weeks later.. upright and standing. With a little help. 

-10 pounds later..

First bite.. Carbo loading 

Stitch wounds, trying to heal. Lots of neosporan..

After I had the realization I wouldn't be getting off these things for half a year, I decided to style them up. Crutch purse, most brilliant invention. 

This is what I like to call "the crank" also known as a torture devise. 30 minutes a session, 3 times a day x4 months. How I got my motion back..

First workout. And the wonderful boot.

3 months later.. The aircast. And some sneakers to go along with my new crutch walk 

My official Boston Marathon time. HA

Surgery 3..:"the removal of hardware"

A break through my empty screwhole. MY WORST NIGHTMARE. devastating.

10 month later, Recovery Party

11 months later.. My first night in heels 

Today... My body.. My biography.

When things are really hard, sometimes you just get through it without even thinking about what happened. Now that I am mentally and physically OK I can actually sit back and think about everything that happened. HOLY SHIT. 

Thank god for my wonderful parents, family, boyfriend, and friends. I could not have done it without them. When I got off the tred mill today, after finishing 3 miles at a 7:45 pace,  I thanked god for my drive, too. 

Dedicated to: Dr. Dean Lorich, my very attractive doctor, who i've spent way too much time with and "is sick of seeing me" but managed to piece my shattered ankle back together. Best orthopedic surgeon out there. Gotta love this guy.

A Very Happy New Year

              On December 19^th, over 10 months after the accident, my physical therapist cleared me to “run.” She said I could run for 5-10 minutes but had to trust myself and listen to my body (we all know how good I am at that).  While this was the best Christmas gift anyone could have given me, I was terrified. I knew it would be painful and mentally challenging. Before I laced on my running shoes I waited a couple days. I waited till I had a day off from work, and I was at home on the safe roads of CT where I knew my course perfectly. I rested the day before I ran because I knew this would be painful and discouraging and a soar ankle from activity the day before would make it that much worse.

              I was right, the first run was BRUTAL. I ran for 7 minutes and literally watched the clock every minute. My foot, ankle, and knee throbbed every step. Not to mention I felt incredibly out of shape. Limping my way back to my house I wondered if running was really something I should ever do again. Was it really worth it? Bone was healed, motion and flexibility were intact, and it was still a miserable experience.

         2 weeks later, I am able to run 2 miles.. no pain, no limp.  I’ve discovered through trial and error the importance of speed walking prior to running and fixing my stride.  So this excitement, endorphins, and passion has obviously made sit down and create a training plan so I can cross the 2013 Boston Marathon finish line. Yet, I am completely aware that is setting extremely high expectations.

         As my dad reminded me this Christmas, he was “so happy just to have me at Christmas, alive and well.” During New Years Frank admitted “I spent that last year questioning if you would be able to ever live a normal life again. I wanted so badly for you just to do day to day things without pain. What you did and how well you're doing after splitting you leg in 4 different places is almost a miracle.” With that, my new years resolution this year will be to make sure I am able to stop when it's too much. And remind myself just how lucky I am that I can live everyday without any pain. If running and training for the marathon stops me from living my life pain free, it won’t be worth it.

2012 hit me hard for a reason. It taught me to just be thankful for everything that I am able to do and everyone I have. But most importantly, it taught me when to stop. It taught me when to say to myself  “Sarah, that enough now, if you continue it won’t do you any good.”  But luckily, I don't need to say that yet. And if I keep on keeping on, I’ll see you at the finish line. 







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