A Bad Leg And A New Attitude!

Wow, I have heard of life changing in an instant, but I never really gave it much thought. That all changed when I went from a peppy 51 yr. old in my cardio dance class, to an absolute immobile and unhappy ex-exerciser!

As luck would have it, not only did I tear my medial meniscus in my left knee, but it was right before a busy summer travel schedule.  I hurt it on a Tuesday and I was due to get on a plane the next day to watch my son, Adam, play in his first college NAIA Golf Championship.  Well, my mind may have said, "let's go" but my body was having no part of that.  I couldn't move. I was on crutches and getting through an airplane aisle was going to be more difficult than I cared to attempt. So I stayed home and my husband and son went to Oregon.

Next I was due to go to Vancouver for a little family trip, minus most of the family. It turned out to be just my husband and daughter and me.  And, a new little friend called a "wheelchair!"  I was fortunate to stay at a very nice hotel that I exchanged with my timeshare points.  The concierge was fantastic and found a wheelchair that I could use for several days. The funny thing is that on our first full day we took an 11-mile bike ride around Vancouver that was filled with fun facts, great sights, and most of all, no leg pain!  Yet, to try walking was like trying to walk over hot coals! I knew I had to do it, but it was very painful. It was definitely a mind over matter moment. So, when the wheelchair became an option, I didn't hesitate one minute. I boarded that metal devise and off we went. We saw all the tourist sites: Stanley Park, The Aquarium, Victoria, Butchart Gardens, Granville Island, Robson Street, Canada Place, and a few more things I probably never would have noticed, like uneven sidewalks and too narrow store aisles. It's amazing how being in a wheelchair gives you a whole new perspective!  I feel very badly for all those people who have to rely on wheelchairs and cannot get out and walk. At least I was able to leave the wheelchair for bathroom trips. It definitely would have been very challenging to attempt in a wheelchair.

Great bike trip around Vancouver

Totem Poles in Stanley Park

All aboard the Ferry!

Things are big in Victoria!

Butchart Gardens

You must see this Exhibit!

The trip to Canada was a success. I still managed to have a good time, despite by temporary disability. As they say, "You can't keep a good woman down!"  That was so true. After a quick overnight in Seattle to "Ride the Ducks", visit Pike Place Market, and view some out-of- this-world glass by Dale Chihuly we were back to the homestead!

Ride the Ducks!

Nine days later I was off to Chicago with Jackie to celebrate the Fourth of July. By now I had ditched the wheelchair and was using a cane and leg brace.  The real disability I brought on this trip was my lack of direction, but thankfully Jackie was quite proficient on reading transit maps, and we utilized buses, subways and taxis. We loved everything about Chicago, except for the 102-degree weather!  We ran... o.k. not really... all over Chicago. We ate the best hot dogs, pizza, desserts and enjoyed fine dining at RPM ( Bill and Guiliana Rancic's place) and Girl and the Goat (owned by the only female winner of Top Chef, Stephanie Izard.) We ate Garrett's popcorn on more than one occasion and I had my very first Moscow Mule! It won't be my last!

The Chicago Skyline!

Moscow Mule. So refreshing!

Navy Pier relief!

Girl and the Goat!

We went to the top of the John Hancock Building and the view from there is fantastic. We also went to Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower) and took a quick look from 103 floors up! The only downfall was that the security line was so long that it took us about one hour to get up there. Then after a less than 15 minute look, we wanted to exit. Imagine our surprise when we found the line to go down was even longer!  There was no way I wanted to wait on the hard floor with my bum leg, so I used the "handicap" card. I asked an usher if I could avoid the line and go down on the next elevator. Success! Jackie and I were escorted to the front of the line and down we went. It was a good thing because we had places to go and people to see!

Another highlight was going to Second City to see a comedy show. The Architectural Boat tour was also fabulous. Chicago has so many great buildings. My favorite was probably the "City all in One." It has a place for boats at the bottom then levels for cars that are backed in by valets (don't want any residents to get too heavy on the metal and end up in the boat harbor below) and then residences.

We also made our way by subway to Wrigley Field and Harpo Studios to get some mandatory tourist shots!

After a fun filled and very packed trip, we made our way back to San Jose. And then I sat. I didn't do much for several days just to rest the leg.  I have now started back at my gym. I've been to the pool twice to do laps. Yes, the Olympics have inspired me. I'm not going to win any medal, but I feel like a winner just to be able to get in some exercise and start moving this old, broken-down body!

I don't know what the future holds as far as my knee goes. I did find out I have mild degenerative osteoarthritis. It's hell getting old!  But, I may still need to have surgery to remove the tear. I've been going to the sports chiropractor and getting laser treatments and just trying to do the old-fashioned "rest" method.  Time will tell. In the meantime, I want to continue to swim and bike at the gym and start getting back into an exercise routine. Three vacations in May, June and July ( I had also gone to Pittsburgh/Philadelphia/Delaware and New Jersey in May prior to hurting my knee) and little exercise leads to weight gain and complaining!

So it's back to that ongoing battle of the bulge! At least I have a new appreciation for being able to move. I may have a bit more to move around, but I'm grateful I'm now walking without a cane and knee brace. I don't know when, or even if, I will get back to my Zumba and cardio dance classes,  and that makes me sad. I guess it's time to stop acting like a 30-something and slow down a bit. I need to listen to my body.

So in the words of  Patti LaBelle,
"I'm in control,
My worries are few,
'Cause I got love like I never knew, 
ooo, ooo, ooo, ooo...
I've got a new attitude."

You just put one foot in front of the other.......
Sylvia