Graduation
Earlier this week, I went to see my orthopedic surgeon. Six weeks after I fractured my elbow. For a check-up to see about my progress.
After looking at my most recent x-rays, my doctor said three important words: YOU HAVE GRADUATED. As in, I could stop physical therapy after my last appointment on Wednesday. As in, I don’t have to make any additional appointments to see him, unless something goes wrong. As in, I can begin weight-bearing exercises again (although slowly). As in, I can have my life back.
I smiled broadly and thanked him.
Then, yesterday, I went to my last physical therapy appointment. A consultation, really. To retake my measurements. Everything looked great. The physical therapist smiled. And said, I had graduated. There was no reason for me to return to see them again.
I smiled broadly and thanked her.
Later on, yesterday, I went to my weekly Jenny appointment. Over the past month, I’ve been plateauing a bit. Not feeling like the weight has been coming off as easily. Granted, I’ve been cheating a bit with candy (ssssh, don’t tell my consultant) and getting a bit lazy with my eating schedule. It’s shown. However, as of yesterday, I have lost the following (since the start of this journey):
Weight: 13.8 pounds
Chest: 2.5 inches
Waist: 2 inches
Abdomen: 5 inches
Hips 2.5 inches
My consultant gave me a bunch of high fives and told me how happy she is with my progress. That it’s the ideal way to lose weight. That she shows other clients who are struggling my chart of weight loss (not anything personal about me) to illustrate how it should be done.
I smiled broadly and thanked her.
These last six weeks have been a roller coaster. With super low lows when I first learned about my elbow and thoughts of a potentially lost summer. To the middle ground of the frustration of not being able to use my right hand and learning how strong my left hand really is. To the highs of getting back on track with my half marathon training (speaking of which, that race is this weekend – wish me luck!).
But, one take-away I have from this time is that the human body is an amazing organism. Not only was I able to come back (to almost 100%) from an injury, but I was able to keep up with a physical fitness goal and continue to lose weight as a result. It’s been incredible to see my body slowly heal to a point where I can do pretty much everything I was doing before the fracture. And it’s been incredible to feel the support of Sweets as well as my medical and nutritional team.
With that said, I’m happy to also say that I’ll see you out along the lake. Where I’ll be running and maybe even biking for the rest of the summer.
July 29th, 2009 at 6:25 am
Congrats! I am happy you healed up so quickly!
July 30th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Wow, Nilsa! I’m really impressed with your Jenny Craig results. That’s impressive. And I’m glad your elbow has healed. The human body is pretty amazing.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Glad you are getting healthier all around and learned a lesson along the way. The body is amazing! It heals itself. So cool, especially knowing many of the molecular processes involved.
Anyway. Just a little question. What is the diff. between waist and abdomen? Is the waist higher up and abdomen the tummy part? Or other way around? I used to measure the biggest part of the “waist” but now measure the smallest part. I also measure the thigh, because I always think mine are too big.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Woot! This is all awesome news! Glad to hear you elbow is so much better and that you’re doing so great in the Jenny Craig program.
Best of luck this weekend! I bet you’ll kick some butt.
July 30th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Oh, hooray! What a relief that must be for you =) I remember how excited I felt after my last PT appointment last fall for my darn crooked hips… sheer relief. Excitement.
I will be thinking many happy thoughts for you this weekend as you run the half-marathon. I have no doubt you’ll kick some running butt. To think you did the training with a fractured elbow. Pretty damn impressive if you ask me.
Good luck and many hugs.
(Oh,and way to go on the weight loss. That’s really, really incredible.)
July 30th, 2009 at 9:48 am
Great work — and good luck with that race!
July 30th, 2009 at 10:46 am
YAY! I’ll be cheering you on from here.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:15 am
yay for graduating! that is awesome!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:35 am
Oh, wow. I am so happy for you!!! You came away from that accident better than ever. :-)
July 30th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
1.) Holy mother – it’s been 6 weeks since your boo-boo? Where has the time gone?
2.) SUPER DUPER congrats on your Jenny Craig progress! You go, girl!
3.) I think I need to start seeing a trainer or PT. Yesterday I met with one who was surprised with how flexible I was, but equally surprised with how weak my legs and abdomen are. ::opps::
July 30th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Seriously, you rule. Those stats are extremely impressive! I had burning envy at the waist one, and when I read the chest one I kind of wished that the 2.5 inches you lost somehow magically ended up on my body. :P
July 30th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Yay you graduated!!! And that is awesome progress, wow, you must feel so proud of yourself.
Great luck this weekend. I wish I could train myself and run a half marathon one day… we’ll see. In the mean time you go and rock it!
July 31st, 2009 at 9:48 am
Congrats! It makes me excited to read a success story involving physical therapy because that is what my boyfriend is going to school for. Fitness is also a passion of both of ours and I am so happy you have achieved your goals! Way to go!
July 31st, 2009 at 11:27 am
Good for you, Nilsa!!
August 1st, 2009 at 11:46 am
I am so happy you’re healed!!! And were able to keep up with your regimen. It IS amazing what our bodies will let us do :)
Good luck tomorrow!
August 2nd, 2009 at 5:17 pm
I am so happy you are feeling better! When injured/recovering, sometimes it is so hard to even think you will ever feel better at all (sorta how I am feeling right now) and I love that you are appreciating your body for what it can do and realizing how good you have it now. You worked hard! You deserve to feel excited about it.