Week 5: Learning to Adapt - Small Wins, Big Challenges in My Recovery Journey

Five weeks into my recovery from a right leg fracture, I’ve realized that healing is not just about bones knitting together. It’s a mental, emotional, and logistical battle. It’s about navigating daily frustrations, celebrating small victories, and constantly adjusting to a new reality. Each day brings challenges, and nothing is as simple as it used to be.

The past week has given me a deeper appreciation for the everyday tasks I once took for granted. Things like doing laundry, meal prepping, or even taking out the trash have become monumental efforts that require planning and patience. But as hard as these adjustments have been, nothing has tested me more than navigating the healthcare system.

Life on Pause, But the Bills Keep Coming

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the ability to work from home during this recovery, which has been a blessing in itself. If I had to commute or be physically present for work, I’d be in a much tougher spot. I’ve been able to focus on healing without the pressure of worrying about how I’ll perform my job. But that doesn’t mean everything is smooth sailing.

One of the biggest hurdles has been dealing with my health insurance. After feeling relieved that my blood thinner, Lovenox, finally arrived after last week’s pharmacy debacle, I made the mistake of checking my insurance portal. I learned that several claims had been denied—everything from my ambulance ride after the Tough Mudder to an infectious disease consult I had in the hospital 🤯.

Even though I’ve hit my deductible and out-of-pocket max, these bills keep coming, and it’s stressful to see more charges piling up. I spent hours on the phone with United Healthcare, only to be met with circular logic and no real resolution. I had been planning a follow-up trip to Pittsburgh for further care, but after speaking with a rep on the call and understanding that out-of-network services may not be covered, I had to make a decision. I cannot afford to pay out-of-pocket for everything—travel, lodging, and treatment. So, I made the difficult decision to establish care locally. It was a tough call because Pittsburgh had been amazing and my goal was continuity of care, especially given the complexity of the situation. However, I have to do what was right for my health and my finances. It’s a shame that I have to put financial health over and above total physical health.

The Daily Struggles of Recovery

Physically, this week has been exhausting. The simplest things, like bathing or wound care, have become routine activities. Every morning starts with a “bird bath” (because getting in the shower is still out of the question), followed by exercises designed to keep me moving and prevent muscle loss. Bicep curls, one-arm rows, squats to the couch—these have become my new normal.

On top of that, I had a hiccup with my PICC line this week when one of the lumens stopped working. After several calls with home care, the pharmacy, and my infectious disease doctor’s office, we finally got it sorted, but not without adding to my already full plate of worries. The last thing I needed was another trip to the hospital.

Despite these setbacks, I’m doing my best to maintain some semblance of routine. Work keeps me focused, and small wins every day help  me push through the difficult moments. I’ve also made some unexpected discoveries, like adaptive underwear from Victoria’s Secret that make dressing so much easier. It’s funny how something as simple as side-snap shorts can feel like such a victory.

Emotional and Mental Hurdles

While the physical recovery is tough, the mental and emotional challenges can be even more draining. I miss my old life. Before the injury, I was running long distances, feeling the rush of the wind against my face, and enjoying the simple pleasures of nature. I miss the sound of birds in the early morning and the way the sunrise feels during a good run. These things may seem small, but they were my daily dose of joy.

Now, I’m stuck inside, hopping around my apartment, relying on others for help with basic tasks. It’s a humbling experience. Something as simple as trying to do take out the trash turns into a 40-hop trek to the trash room and back. Making my bed, washing dishes, meal prepping—all of these have become challenges that require careful planning.

The emotional toll of this forced dependence is heavy. I’ve always been independent, so relying on others, even for small things, is difficult for me. It’s made me appreciate the little things I once took for granted.

There are moments of frustration but these are often balanced by the moments of joy when I experience the kindness of friends and strangers who have made navigating this journey a bit easier.

Small Victories in a Big Battle

One thing I’ve learned during this process is that the small wins matter. Whether it’s getting my PICC line working again without another hospital visit, or the sheer joy of smelling chickpeas cooking in the InstaPot, I’m holding onto the positive moments.

This week, I had the chance to record a presentation for Chef AJ’s 2025 Weight Loss Summit. Afterward, I felt like I could’ve done a better job, so I re-recorded it and sent it over. Maybe that’s my perfectionism talking, but delivering quality content is important to me, and it gave me something to focus on outside of recovery. 

But there are still moments when recovery feels painfully slow. Like when I slipped doing laundry and accidentally tapped my injured leg on the ground. The pain was enough to make me feel queasy, and I had to sit down and breathe through it. It’s those moments that remind me how fragile this process is and how easily things can go wrong.

Reflecting on the Bigger Picture

As I look back on this week, I’m struck by how broken our healthcare system is. I’m fortunate to have the resources and knowledge to advocate for myself, but even I’ve struggled to navigate the endless red tape, insurance denials, and bureaucratic hurdles. If it’s this hard for me, I can’t imagine how difficult it must be for someone without the same resources.

This journey has forced me to reflect on the broader issues in healthcare—how easily patients can fall through the cracks, how difficult it is to get the care you need, and how financially draining it can be even with insurance. Something needs to change.

For now, I’m focusing on the small wins. The goal of running a 5K brings a smile to my face and I’m determined to get there, even if it’s one hop at a time. 😀 Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint, and I’m learning to appreciate every step along the way.