When you first get injured, you have a certain disconnect with your injury. As that injury is put into a cast and/or splint, the disconnect continues. The injury heals and you don't actually have to do anything to it.
However, as soon as that injury comes out of the cast/splint it is now it's up to you to get that body part back to what it was like before it was injured. That's where the disconnect ends and reality hits, hard. What used to be a strong, flexible, good working body part is now a stiff, weak, strange alien-like thing that is attached to you. Nobody but you and your own hard work will get that strange alien form back to a familiar, good functioning body part.
10 years ago, I shattered my knee cap. That injury and rehab process was horrible. BUT, I learned a lot about myself, about injuries, and about recovery from injuries. Now, with my broken elbow, that knowledge is either a blessing or a curse. A blessing because I know what to expect in the rehab process. I know what's it like to have shattered something, have it put back together, rehab all that, then get the hardware out, start the process all over again, then after a year or so, you are healed and back to somewhat normal. Back then, I thought it was the end of the world. Now, I know bikes will still be there in a few months, bike racing will still be there next year and my body will remember how to ride a bike. During this time off it's important to enjoy it and enjoy the process of spending time away from what you love.
Or a curse because I know what to expect in the rehab process. I know what's it like to have shattered something, have it put back together, rehab all that, then get the hardware out, start the process all over again. IT SUCKS!! It's painful, it's horrible, it makes you miss doing the things you love, and it makes you feel pretty inadequate for awhile. In my opinion, a person should not have to go through this kind of injury process twice.
Truth is, whether I like it or not, this is my reality and a lot of the time it sucks. BUT, it's rewarding too. Baby steps. Today I was able to pony my hair all by myself and give He Who Can Not Be Named a real, two armed hug. I'm able to pull my own espresso shots and my running program has officially begun. Being able to do these "new" actives makes me proud at how far I have come in the past 6 weeks. Yes, I have a long way to go, but for now, as much as it sucks, I'm enjoying the process.
