Suck it Up Buttercup

Gif Source: Wix

I’ve been on crutches and a boot for over five weeks now. My foot is healing very well. Because I also have an SI joint problem on the same leg, usIng crutches has been very beneficial because I’m not putting full weight on that leg and that pain level has decreased considerably. So, Thursday I got a bit cocky and walked without my crutches more than I had been. Oops. Friday morning I got out of bed and could hardly move. I had pulled a muscle in my back and it screamed with every move. Crap! I don’t have time for this. Getting showered and dressed was pure agony.

But, there was no way I was going to call Alice and bow out of working out. Recovering from my injuries and back and hip issues is critical for me if I’m going to go on this bike ride in 2 years. I have a whole lot of work to do and I can’t be pussy-footing around any time I don’t feel up to working out. I’ve come so far in the last six months since Alice was pushing me around in a wheelchair and doing my housework because I couldn’t. I’m not going to sit down and lose what I’ve got. So I sucked it up and met Alice at the Y.

Now I’ve been showing up at the Y on my crutches and working out for several weeks. I get looks from people, but I’ve been moving confidently and getting my exercises done. Alice had called to check on me so I knew she was there, but couldn’t see her. So I got out of the truck with my crutches and started to walk in. Because my back hurt, I was walking very slowly and tentatively. I’m sure I looked like it was debatable whether I was going to make it even to the door. A woman about my age was walking out and says to me “oh, you poor dear, good for you getting here anyway.” Alice catches up to me and says “of course you didn’t wait for me.” I’m like, whatever, gotta get there and I knew she’d find me, cuz I’m pretty hard to miss. We often have a discussion about my overdeveloped sense of independence and not accepting help. We get inside to check in and I my key fob is still in my purse and everyone has to wait while I take off my backpack purse and get it out while I’m desperately trying to stay standing without both crutches. She grins and says “you’re not ready?” I read between the lines, what she was really saying was “Miss Independent, you don’t really have your act together even though you think you do.” I just grinned and did my thing.

I only did one round of the machines carefully so as to not hurt my back. I decided that I better go to the chiropractor and get adjusted so my muscles would stop screaming. Alice insisted on walking me out before going back and finishing her workout. We took the elevator down cuz I didn’t think I could do the stairs like usual. A woman in the elevator asked what happened to my foot. I told her I dumped my motorcycle and it fell on my foot. She says “ wow, you’re a diehard.” Yep I am. Alice and I both commented on the fact that I’m not getting off that bike until somebody peels me off. Another discussion we’ve had several times about my abilities to actually accomplish the ride at my age, with my physical condition and my unwillingness to consider an alternative to riding my own bike, while completing our mission. I already told her that no way I was going to ride a 3-wheel trike. That’s not motorcycle riding. I would rather ride bitch. She says or drive the truck. I just smiled and let her think that.

I got to the chiropractor, got adjusted and put ice on my back when I got home. My back is much better and I think I’ll survive myself. Sucking it up and doing what I gotta do. I’m not quitting my life.