Two years ago I had an accident and fractured my left leg. I had just begun a new running program a couple of months before and I can't describe the extreme frustration I felt at the time.
Anger and bitterness took hold for awhile and I felt that no matter how much I've accomplished in my life, nothing I had ever done was worth the effort, it was a very depressing time.
After a few months I was told no more running, ever. My doctors were afraid of a stress fracture since this was my second break in the same area and discussed surgery. It's been a long healing process and I was told my leg will never recover 100%. The upswing of my situation is that I never thought about smoking a cigarette once during this painful ordeal! That's a big one for me because through most of my life I would simply give up, but not this time, my quit is solid.
I needed a change in career because of my leg, so I returned to college seven months after my accident and will graduate at the end of this year.
Running is no longer an option for me, but I can walk five miles in about an hour a few times a week. The weight gained is coming off and I feel terrific. I remember feeling afraid to quit smoking, not knowing what I would turn into and wondering if I'd like myself. I changed into someone stronger and more able to deal with life, it's all good.
Take care and stay strong,
Jennifer :)
