Week 13: Full Weight Bearing and Reclaiming Joy | Progress One Day at a Time

It’s now week 13 in my recovery journey, and I’m happy to say I’m getting my groove back. The past two weeks have been an adventure of progress, resilience, and unexpected moments of joy. From making strides in physical therapy to navigating the chaos of home care, each day offered lessons in patience and persistence. The biggest highlight? Finally, transitioning to full weight bearing—a milestone that brought equal parts excitement and challenge.

Full Weight Bearing: A Step Forward (literally)

The moment I received clearance to bear weight on my right foot felt surreal. It marked the first time in months that I could take a step closer to walking freely again. However, the journey wasn’t as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.

Physically, the sensation was disorienting. I think both my deep peroneal and superficial peroneal nerves were injured or traumatized during the three surgeries. This has affected my proprioception and sensation, and I struggled to feel where my foot was in space. Each step required deliberate focus, a mental recalibration of what movement should feel like. Yet, with every wobbly attempt, I felt the promise of healing.

Emotionally, it was a mix of joy and hesitation. Progress comes with its own uncertainties, but the knowledge that nerves heal—and so does the body—keeps me moving forward.

Physical Therapy: Rediscovering Strength and Mobility

Physical therapy remains the cornerstone of my recovery. This week, I took on new challenges to mobilize my stiff ankle joint, a constant reminder of how much work lies ahead. Simple exercises like ankle rotations and foot alphabets have become part of my daily routine—sometimes even when I wake up in the middle of the night.

Friday’s session was particularly grueling but rewarding. My therapist introduced single-leg exercises to encourage stability and mobility. By the end of the day, I was sore in the best way possible, knowing each rep was a step closer to regaining full function.

The biggest triumph of all was returning to some of my pre-injury workouts. Without the PICC line, I added dips on my walker and pushups with a 30-pound weighted vest to my routine. It felt incredible to tap into my strength again, even if just for a few sets.

Navigating Home Care and the Burden of Billing

If there’s one part of recovery I underestimated, it’s the administrative maze of managing home care and medical billing. Bright Star Home Care, which has been a rollercoaster of experiences, tested my patience yet again. Last week, I learned they assumed I no longer needed their services. While I understand that transitions happen in care, no one communicated with me, and my PICC line hadn’t even been removed. It was yet another frustrating reminder of how disjointed these processes can feel.

Thankfully, Nicole, my home care nurse, went above and beyond during her final visit. Despite feeling under the weather, she came out on a cold day to remove my PICC line and share a moment of warmth and conversation. Her professionalism was a bright spot in an otherwise chaotic experience.

But home care isn’t the only challenge. The burden of unresolved hospital and lab bills has added an extra layer of stress to my recovery. Like many patients, I assumed these costs would be fully covered, especially after such an intensive and complex injury. Yet here I am, facing an ever-growing stack of bills and needing to navigate appeals with my insurance provider, United Healthcare.

It’s exhausting to pour energy into recovery while also fighting for fair coverage, but I know it’s a battle worth fighting. Though I haven’t processed my appeal yet, I’m determined to see it through.

In the meantime, I’ve taken proactive steps to improve my future experience. Starting in 2025, I’ll be switching insurance carriers with the hope of finding better coverage and more transparent communication. 

This journey has taught me that healthcare is as much about advocating for yourself as it is about healing physically. Navigating the labyrinth of home care, hospital systems, and insurance is frustrating, but it’s also a reminder of the resilience we need—not just to recover but to fight for the care we deserve.

The Simple Joy of a Shower

In recovery, the simplest things often bring the greatest joy. For me, that moment came when I finally stepped into a shower after months of sink bathing. My fear of infection and the logistical challenges of keeping my PICC line and cast dry had kept me from this basic routine. Anyone who knows me well will be shocked to read this. Over 13 weeks and no shower? Yes.

When I turned on the water and stepped in, I was overcome with emotion. It wasn’t just about cleanliness but about reclaiming a piece of normalcy. The feeling of water cascading over me was pure bliss, a moment of gratitude for how far I’ve come.

I don’t think I have been stinky the past few weeks (or maybe I was and didn’t know it? 🤔). I have learned, yet again, that I can do with so much less. During the past several months, I have begun to understand more clearly the difference between what I want and what I need. The key is to retain and continue to apply this going forward. 

Reflections on Recovery: One Step at a Time

Every day brings its own victories, no matter how small. This week, I tackled another challenge: breaking down and recycling the Amazon boxes that had piled up in my apartment. It might seem trivial, but being able to carry them to the recycling bin was a big step toward regaining independence.

The past several months have taught me that progress isn’t about leaps and bounds—it’s about showing up every day, no matter how small the steps may seem. From the physical challenges of weight bearing to the emotional triumph of reclaiming simple joys, each moment is a testament to my resilience.

As I look ahead, I know the journey will remain challenging. But every day, I’m moving closer to my goals of running a 5K and hiking Zion. Recovery isn’t just about the destination—it’s about finding strength and joy along the way.

Be well.