My little red tether is my anchor in running with my friends. A beautiful guide dog has been my tether/anchor in mobility and independence for 17 years: 1. Pantera 2. Cricket, and now my beautiful 3. Georgina (Georgie). A life of family and friends is my joy and anchor in life.

The human spirit is stronger than anything that can happen to it. CC Scott

Friday, April 11, 2014

Grit

Today I was sharing my broken foot story with someone that asked.  She said -- you have a lot of grit.  I hadn't thought about it .. perhaps.

The night before I left for class for Guide Dogs for the Blind (3 weeks ago)  I ran into a door half open and broke my foot just below the toe.  If you've read my blog, you may not be surprised at another break :).  We were just on our way to a fireside that I was speaking at so I put on my boot from a previous break.  We went to the fireside with the plan to go to the ER afterwards.  Thankfully, my amazing doctor looked at my foot that night and indicated with some amazing shoes (Skechers Shape Ups - they lift the pressure off the top of your foot), toes banded together, some ice each night and ibuprofen; I would be able to still go to my training for my next guide dog.   The next morning, Steve walked me to my gate at the airport and I left for San Rafael.  I arrived and the amazing nurses and instructors monitored my foot for the next two weeks.  The swelling went down.  The bruising spread through my foot and then went down.  Each day after our training time, I went to my room and iced it. I was so grateful that it didn't slow me down. Each night I would say - Hey Georgie Girl we did it!   

Prior to this break, I was once again in training for a marathon.  I had planned to use the exercise room at the Student Residence Center at GDB to keep up.  Instead, no running.  I have missed running so much.  It has become something I absolutely love with the help of my amazing friends that are my guides. Each time I have trained for a marathon, midway a challenge has hit ... a concussion -- thankfully, I was still able to join in the training and run the marathon.  Last year a broken bone, and now this year this break.  Disappointing.  On my bucket list is to run the Boston Marathon.  It is taking a lot of grit to get to that goal.  I will visit the doctor again next week and hope he says, you go girl!  If you are going to break your foot, it is a good bone to break!  It isn't one we put a lot of weight on when we walk so its just a dull ache.    
I am working on a new site for Georgina's Journeys ... I'll keep you posted.  

In the meantime, these two are quite the pair ...
Funny story - I was typing on my blog and called out Georgina .. she's getting a little more freedom in the house now.  I hear a tail thumping just below me :).  She was sitting right near my feet.  
Exciting news!  Our new tandem bike has arrived!  Biking is a great activity for recovering broken bones! 

6 comments:

pattib said...

Oh no! So sorry to hear of your foot saga. But excited about your new tandem - what kind did you get? (I've done my own bit of tandem riding on a Santana.)

Becky Andrews said...

Patti - It is a Commotion!

Lablove said...

What resolve you have to attend training with a broken foot! Wow -- I sure respect that. Thank you for posting the photos of Georgina and Cricket....what a lot of love surrounds you!

pattib said...

Commotion! Cool! Have fun, but take care of that foot. :)

Grandma & Grandpa said...

Looks like they're good friends already! Hope the tandem bike it a perfect one for you & Steve! Love your positive determination! L&V

3 labs 4 me said...

Yes, you do have "grit". True Grit. There was a movie by that name ya know? Steve & I are ready for another tandem adventure with you guys. Can't wait to see your new bike. I bet it's a beauty.