CARL'S COMMENTARY VII

LIFE COMES AT YOU HARD!

You probably heard this in a TV commercial. I can attest to the fact that life does come at your hard. However, you can deal with it with Passion, Plans, Preparation, People, and Persistence.

Mr. Young, “we are referring you to an orthopedic surgeon. We have set up an appointment for you with him. Here is the information you need”. These were words I heard from my primary Doctor. I had gone to him with severe pain walking. He had given me a series of different medications but nothing worked. Finally, ex-rays told the story. A nerve sack in my spinal area was corrupted in addition to having virtually no space between a couple of my spinal vertebrae.

That is the last thing I wanted to deal with. I was planning to go to my class reunion and homecoming is a few weeks but life came at me hard and I had to deal with it. The Orthopedic surgeon confirmed that surgery would be the best alternative although we tried shots to the spinal area to no avail. The pain while walking was so severe I had no choice but to submit to surgery, performed on 23 November. I spent three days in the hospital and literally confined to bed for a little over two months in lots of pain and discomfort.

Although life had come at me hard I was determined to make the best of the situation with Passion-positive outlook; Plans-weight loss and wellness enhancement; Preparations-exercises; People-Wife was the most superb care giver I could have gotten anywhere; Persistence-I simply stuck to the achievement of my plans and did not waiver despite the pain and discomfort. I recognized this was the price I had to pay to achieve my goals and fully recover.

After three months and a week I am now almost back to normal. My back is getting stronger and I walk without pain. I have lost a substantial amount of weight and have committed myself to a continuing process of wellness.

I wanted to wake up and be able to twinkle my toes. The rest would be up to me through my attitude and persistence. I took a negative situation thrust upon me and turned it into a positive result. I am very pleased with how far I have progressed. I look back on all the sleepless nights, discomfort and pain and ask myself was it worth it and the answer is absolutely it was. My 96 year old aunt saw me the other day and remarked I looked like a new and different person. I told her I was trying to get to the age she is.

My point in this commentary is that no matter what life thrust upon you it can be handled with a positive attitude fueled by Passion; realistic and achievable Plans; Preparation to achieve the Plans; engagement of People willing to assist you; Persistence and Never Give Up no matter the sweat or sacrifice. When I first started riding the stationary bicycle to rebuild my muscles I could only go 5 minutes and then ten. All the while my legs were literally “on fire” as I pumped the pedals but I knew I had to get through that phase and if I persisted it would be alright, as it is now. #I now do 30 minutes at level #6 resistance quite easily.

Thanks to all of you who expressed your care and concern during my surgery and rehabilitation. It meant a lot to me and you were the People in the puzzle that everyone needs to succeed! Although I am not fully back I expect to be around the end of March.

This is 2010 and an old theme that everyone seems to use and so will I.

LET’S ALL PLAN TO WIN IN 2010!!! I certainly do!