Today’s my third Ampuversary (12/3). It
seems like it has been years longer than that to me since my amputation. Lots have happened so far and there is still
more to come! First and foremost, I am
happy to be alive and experiencing each new day. I’m thankful for all of the wonderful support
and encouragement that I have received from my wife, my family, and my
friends. I’m grateful for the
opportunity to spend time with my first grandchild and to watch her grow. I’ve been blessed to have a supportive team
of health care providers (an ever growing list!). I am happy that I decided to have Dr. Ertl do
a revision of my leg recently (9/23/16)—I believe that will really change my
life for the better. It has drastically
reduced my pain level all around.
The past three years have had their ups and downs. I’ve gone through some major life changes. I’ve made progress in a number of areas and
I’m still struggling in some others.
I’ve made a number of new friends and learn a whole lot about medicine
and the human body. I’ve had to accept
some limitations and continue to fight against some of the others. At times my journey has been the best thing
that has happened to me and at the same time it’s been the more difficult thing
I’ve gone through.
Lately I’ve been reading book after book written by those who have
thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail (AT). 2,190
miles is a long way to walk!!! Only
about 25% of the hikers who begin the trail finish it in the same year. It goes from Georgia to Maine and travels
through 14 states. From what I’ve read
it takes 4-6 months for hikers to finish the trail. They go through all kinds of weather and face
any number of hardships, mishaps, and injuries.
Day after day they slog through the rain, the snow, the fog,
thunderstorms, and even occasionally, the sunshine. They traverse the mud, the
rocks, the mountains, cross rivers, etc.
They face mosquitos, mice, snakes, bears, and moose. Their stories talk about endurance and
determination--about never giving up and preserving through whatever the trail
throws at them. It’s also the story of
the comradery of others on the trail, along with countless acts of kindness of
others, which enabled the hikers to continue on each day. Hikers see and learn about the world from a
different perspective, and it seems they come to know themselves better as
well. They find the trail is filled with
hardship and difficulty, as well as serenity and beauty. One of the other lessons learned from these
various accounts is that everyone “hikes his own hike.” It’s the same trail, but varying weather
conditions, time limitations, strength and endurance, etc. means that each
hiker encounters something different and handles it in their own way. Sometimes the trail is easy and the load is
light and its easy going. At other
times, it takes every bit of energy just to make it the next few feet.
I think I’ve been reading book after book about these journeys because
I see parallels to my own journey (I think my fellow amps and anyone with a
chronic illness will see the parallels too).
Life is difficult; but it is also wonderful. The journey isn’t always easy; but it is
worth it. We don’t necessarily get to choose what we will experience; but we do
choose how we will respond and what we will do in response. Life (and regaining health) isn’t a sprint;
it’s ultimate ultra-marathon of epic proportions. Many
times all we can do is to merely keep on putting one foot in front of the other
and see where life takes us.
Here’s to life! Here’s to taking
the next step!
