It’s been almost two years since my accident.

I’ve been looking out at the lake and wondering if I would ever be able to get out there and enjoy it again.

After two years of physical therapy (which, among other things, has slowly started to rebuild the strength in my damaged and broken leg), waiting for the water temp to rise enough that it wouldn’t aggravate my nerve damage, buying a pair of water shoes with a small lift in the heal (so I could walk with a little less pain in the very tight ankle/Achilles tendon), and thinking about how the seat of my sailboat and the position of my legs was very similar to the recumbent stepper I use in PT, I finally felt ready to try out my little kayak sailboat.

So, last weekend I asked leo to get out my sailboat so I could see if I could tolerate sitting in it. I was quite awkward getting in, but once seated, it seemed as though it should work out ok.  There was no wind, and it was so hot and humid 🥵, but it still felt good to do a little peddling around.

This past week I’ve been watching and waiting for the wind to pick up, and hoping that we’d get a break in the heat and humidity. And yesterday was the day. I got out there at the perfect time, and did some sailing, and it was so wonderful!! 
Such a boost to my mental health! 

When done, my legs were a bit wobbly from holding them up in the peddles so long, and my hip/butt was pretty tender, but it so very worth it!

I even got to go back out today.
Sore hip/butt (both from nerve damage and from top of femur rod poking me), knee a little sore, ankle a little swollen, back a bit sore too, but all of that and still it was worth it again.

I think I’ll sleep well tonight. 😊

Even had a neighbor call out to me today to let me know they’d been praying for me, and that it was great to see me out on the lake. That was great.

Taking small steps at a time, and still feel like a toddler learning to walk again. But it sure feels good going the gym and not having to load/unload my walker each time!

I still have a lot of sit pain, from the nerve & tissue damage to the back of my upper thigh (basically, my butt). Unfortunately, It’s looking at this point like that could be permanent. So for now, I am unable to go most places because it would be too physically uncomfortable for me to sit. Though I am still hoping & praying that it’ll at least lessen some!

Thank you all for your continuing prayers, and please keep them coming, as I still have a ways to go.  

Julie