Two things can be true

Well, it has been over a month since I have posted a blog…I’ve been busy taking care of myself. I’m at 6 weeks post-op from ACL surgery and I was back to work in a week and a half – I’m pooped. Although, I have been diligent in my physical therapy and working on my mindset, I definitely have my rough days. Pain just sucks and pushing through that pain knowing that you need to is a wild mental game. Juggling work and recovery is tough. However, I’m blessed to be able to work from home while I recover.

I just had a follow-up with my surgeon and he said these next 6 weeks are the most crucial. The pain will start to decrease and strength will increase – a little false hope. He said this is when most re-injuries occur. Two things can be true…I’m getting stronger, but I’m still weak. This is where mindset REALLY comes into play. I was chatting with a woman in the waiting room at physical therapy this week and she said to me – ‘this entire process isn’t fun, but you just have to keep your head straight, it is more of a mental game than anything else’. SO SO true!

Almost daily during this recovery process, my mind wanders to my daughter. My daughter had ACL AND Meniscus surgery. They also had to go back in a month later and do a manipulation – OUCH! She was a college athlete and was working hard to get back on the field. She was doing this recovery in a whole other state, all by herself while living in the dorms. Talk about being dished perspective. My heart has been aching for what she went through all over again. I truly don’t know how she did what she did – she’s an absolute warrior!

I’m sinking back into some normalcy, my new normal. I have really missed this outlet…I’m back! I’ve been doing quite a bit of writing and reflecting and I was stuck on ‘two things being true at once’ for a few days…

• I want to sleep a little longer AND I need to get up early to get my PT in
• I miss crazy sports weekends with the kids AND I love my current more chill (soon-to-be adventurous again) weekends
• I can be frustrated about this process AND I can be thankful for this process – SO much perspective and lessons
• I miss having both kids under my roof AND I love watching the process of them flying and finding their way
• It’s a tad weird to have someone else’s body part in me (I have a cadaver ACL) AND I’m incredibly grateful to my donor

Give it a try – what two things are true for you? It’s a beautiful way to dive into some perspective. My list is quite extensive, but I will spare you the rest.

So yes, two things can be true…surgery sucks AND recovery is a beautiful process. To those of you out there working on ANY type of recover, YOU’VE GOT THIS and you aren’t alone! You are so much stronger than you think. Your mind will try to tell you that you can’t or it hurts and I’m here to tell you that you can. Override your mind! Go get yourself some flowers – they will make you smile. As always, thank you for being on this journey with me – together we can make a difference. Cheers!