They say recovery is a marathon, not a sprint… but today? Today felt more like a hospital-themed obstacle course, complete with casts, stitches, wheelchair maneuvers, and a side quest called “Get to the League Final.”
I’ve always loved running and sports – from sprinting at the Cork City Sports in primary school, to cross-country, training for half marathons, or just jogging to keep fit. But now, faced with the reality that my healing journey is a marathon… slow, steady, and full of patience I didn’t even know I had, I suddenly felt like a very unwilling long-distance runner.
Hospital Adventures: Cast Drama & Franken-Leg Reveal
Getting ready? Hours and hours. You’d think I was prepping for a red carpet rather than a hospital appointment. But I was doing it for myself, and that’s what mattered. Most people were focused on casts, stitches, and their own recovery journeys.
Then came the big drama:
- First cast removed – heart racing, I peeked at the wound… nope, couldn’t do it. My husband Paul did, and the look on his face? Priceless. Somewhere between horror, awe, and “why am I married to this?” Terrifying and hilarious at the same time.
- Stitches removed – the nurse was a gem, but the size of the incision made me queasy. I tried counting stitches in my head… lost track fast. Reminder: bigger scare = more stitches = longer recovery.
- New cast put on – yes, for another two weeks. Cue dramatic sighs, eye-rolls, and Paul muttering “I can’t watch this again…” I now officially feel like a hospital escapee in training.
The registrar was amazing – explaining everything, giving reassurance, and somehow letting me ask heaps of questions without being in a rush.
Hospital Bonus: Laughter & Friend Catch-Up
Even in all this chaos, there were bright spots. I met a gorgeous friend attending her appointment elsewhere in the hospital. Just so lovely to catch up and chat! We had a coffee, laughed until we probably looked like hospital escapees, and it was pure sunshine in a hospital full of casts, wheelchairs, and stitches.
League Final Madness: Hospital Escapee on a Mission
After all the hospital chaos, I had one mission: get to my daughter’s local under-14 League Final. She was buzzing with excitement, and honestly, I needed this for her and for me. Being part of some bit of normal life felt like gold after weeks of cast-bound recovery.
I arrived feeling like a hospital escapee, half in a wheelchair, half in a fold-out chair.
Plan vs. Reality:
- Plan: Roll into the match in my wheelchair, soak up the atmosphere, and be calm and sensible.
- Reality: A mix of car-time, fold-out chair foot elevation, strategic cheering, improvised gymnastics to hug my daughter, and muttered commentary like a sideline sports pundit.
The game? Unreal. We were the underdogs, and somehow, against all odds, we won. Absolute chaos, adrenaline, cheering, and high-fives everywhere. I probably spent as much time in the car as on a chair with my casted leg elevated… but you know what? I was there. I was part of it.
Being back, even just a little, in the roar of normal life, surrounded by kids, excitement, and sports action, reminded me why I love inclusion, sport, and being part of the community.
Recovery Takeaways: What You Learn on Day 12
- Recovery is a marathon – slow, steady, and full of unexpected twists (like casts coming off, stitches being removed, and a new cast for another two weeks).
- It’s okay to be scared – stitches, wounds, and Franken-legs can feel overwhelming, but that’s normal.
- Celebrate small victories – mastering wheelchair skills, surviving a hospital appointment, or showing up for a League Final counts.
- Be part of life, however you can – even a fold-out chair, car-time, or cheering from the sidelines counts as winning.
- Do things for yourself and those you love – show up, imperfectly, with a laugh, and it’s more than enough.
