5K!

I ran a 5K! The Color Run! I ran pretty much the ENTIRE thing!

It was a few months ago but I forgot to post my photos, so I thought I would now...

I have come so far since surgery...

Never Give Up!

So, I haven't posted in a long time! I thought I would get you up to date on everything that's going on with me. I have had some incredible improvements! First of all...

I ran on the treadmill for 10 minutes straight!!! NO WALKING!!!

That was a HUGE accomplishment for me! There was no pain and not even any tingling that I have been feeling every time I ran after surgery. I'm finally getting better and doing this helped me realize that. Before I did this, I felt like I was platoeing and didn't seem to be getting any better or any worse. But FINALLY I saw some improvement! It meant a lot! I just can't wait until I get to run on the road again. I think about that all the time. When I finally am able to, I am definitely not going to take that for granted. I don't even take walking for granted any more. 

So the next big accomplishment...

I walked 3 miles today!

I know I've done this after surgery before, but this time was special. It was on the marathon route. I haven't walked the marathon route by myself in almost 2 years.These little accomplishments aren't little at all to me. There are so many things I am thankful my body is able to do. I am thankful I can walk, run on the treadmill, put my shoes on, walk up stairs, drive the car, sit cross-legged, sit on the ground and be able to get back up, and so much more. 

I saw a man walking with his wife in the park today. There was something special about this man...he was using a walker. He inspired me because I know how difficult it is to do. He made me smile and I just wanted to tell him my whole entire story. I'm back to blending in with the public (something I wanted so bad in the past) and now I want someone to know about my hip! It's only natural to want to talk to someone sharing the same experiences as you. I didn't talk to him. But I am proud of him. I am proud that he went out for a walk and is working hard at recovering. Watching him struggle made me think about everything I've been through and how far I've come. I'm so thankful that I have progressed so much over the past year. I've worked really hard, been through really tough times, and right now I only have positive things to say about my hip. Something, I thought I would never be able to say.

To all those reading this that are going through hip dysplasia, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. I'm just starting to see it now, but it is there. Be patient, work hard, and keep family/friends close to help you get through. Never give up.

Photo by: One Hip World

The little things...

I noticed that I was always focusing on the negatives about the hip dysplasia (because honestly, there were a lot more negatives than positives at first). So for this post, I decided to list all the positives that my diagnosis of hip dysplasia has given me:

• I started going full force into Occupational Therapy! And I love it!
• I am substitute teaching and meeting great people
• I got to go through an experience that not many people my age get to go through, and I learned so much along the way!
• I experienced a great physical therapy team that coached, taught, and pushed me through the toughest time in my life
• I LEARNED TO WALK AGAIN! (How many people can say that?! Booyah!)
• I can run without pain!
• I can go out drinking with my friends and not bring crutches or a cane along (I was on crutches for my 21st bday)
• I can play catch in the park with my boyfriend (I did that for the first time today since surgery!)
• I can stand all day at work without being in pain!
• I can sleep throughout the night
• I can actually fall asleep without medicine!
• I haven't had to take pain medication in a long time!!!! 
• I can park far away just to get myself to walk longer
• I don't need to carry a foldable cane in my purse!
• I don't need a walker, cane, crutches or any kind of device to help me walk from my living room to the bathroom!
• I learned that I have great family and friends that would do anything to support me :) 
• I have an excuse to get an awesome tattoo over my 10 inch scar!
• I now have my very own walker, shower seat, transfer board, bathtub handle, sock aid, an abundance of exercise bands, etc.
• I can easily get in and out of the car
• I don't get weird looks when out in public like "Why does that young girl have a cane?" (I actually have been told by various people that "I didn't need that". I just looked at them and told them "No, I really do". How naive can people be?!)
• I am sitting here typing this and can say that I am NOT IN ANY PAIN WHATSOEVER! (Do you know how huge that is?! I never thought I'd feel this great!)
• The list can go on and on...

9 months and 20 days POST-PAO!

Two years

This time two years ago, I was preparing to run my first marathon, finishing my Bachelors degree with high hopes I'd be starting a PhD program, and got a job at my internship that would start right after I graduated. So much has changed over the past two years.

By July of that year, I had to put my marathon training to a halt due to a stress fracture. To my surprise, it ended up being much more than just that. I had to quit my job and didn't get into any PhD program I applied to. I felt like I slammed against a huge brick wall. All the things I was striving for was ripped out from under me.

That winter my childhood friend, grandma, and great aunt passed away along with being diagnosed with a life changing condition, hip dysplasia. All of these happening within two weeks of each other. After all this happened, I started going to school again while preparing for surgery. After one of the most stressful semesters of my life, I had the surgery. I spent the summer recovering and saw huge improvements. That fall I kept going to school and realized how much my hip really did affect my life.

It's now two years later and I'm trying to figure out which race I want to run in the summer. I am able to run on the treadmill but won't be able to run on the roads until the summer. I decided the 5K Color Run in July would be a great way to celebrate. But, I still keep thinking about that marathon I so desperately wanted to complete. My plan is to be able to run the half marathon in September of 2014. Hopefully, one day I'll be able to complete a full marathon.

My hip still does affect me every day and I am constantly thinking about it. I don't think that will ever change. However, what I am able to do with it will. And even though my life is completely different as I planned, I am looking forward to see what it will be like two years from now.

9 months and 3 days POST-PAO!