Help! Diantha Is Looking For Encouragement!

[NFrawRUNNER]

OK....Where to begin....Here is the latest update on Diantha' prognosis. Firstly, you may or may not be aware of the "chaotic" week the Velasquez Family has had....The day we were to leave on our trip to DisneyWorld for the 1/2 and full marathon Diantha fell in the driveway on a patch of (wet) ice and broke her leg!!!! The dilemma of 1/5/06 was whether to cancel everything or go on the trip. Upon Diantha's insistence, tears (and maybe morphine???) the family decided to go ahead with the vacation that Zack and Kayla had also diligently trained for...So off they went to Florida, and off Diantha went to surgery......and here i am!...yesterday I was discharged from the hospital and the family also arrived home from their trip! The hospital trip was tolerable for me because my mom, dad, best friend (Michelle) and family and friends were there constantly....and, can you believe the hospital cafeteria catered to my raw vegan lifestyle? They fed me great!!!....The family had as much fun as they could...Zack and Kayla did fantastic (for mom!) and made everyone soooooooo proud!
Yes, I am actually now sitting upright! Eddie got me a wireless card for the laptop and I am now "mobile!" (watch out)....I am feeling a lot better now that I am home but it is a whole entirely different lifestyle to get used to! I am going from running between 50 & 70 miles a week to not being able to lift my own leg into bed! (agghh) They had to put a metal plate and screws in my right upper femur. I broke it almost all the way through just below where it connects to the hip... Due to the "internal cast" of metal, they had to cut through all of the muscle....so now I have to "retrain" my leg to function...Every day gets better and I am working as hard as I can on the therapy (thanks to nurse KAYLA!) I have no doubt I will "be back" better than ever with a whole new view of priorities and life in general! I have learned A LOT about life this past week! And hopefully will use these lessons to add quality to my life! I will appreciate EVERY MOMENT that I have with my family. I WILL stop and smell the roses! I will stress less and "breathe" more...and not sweat the small stuff...I will remember to tell people how much they mean to me and how much I appreciate them! For starter's I appreciate YOU which is why I am sending this to you! Life is short folks, LIVE IT! and don't put things off either. Say what you feel and do what you want...ok enough philosophy....
My husband is a saint for surviving a 5 day vacation with 5 kids! and for the record, I had to FORCE him with sobbing to even considering going without me...the trip was paid for, could not be changed or refunded, and like I told him, he'd either be HERE alone with 5 kids or FLORIDA alone with 5 kids....go to Florida right?
So, feel free to e-mail me here...seems I'll have time to respond!!!!My mailing address is PO Box 258 Dexter, NY 13634 if you'd rather write the "old fashioned way!"
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers!!!
For the record, Zackary ran an impressive 2:39 and Kayla 3:08 for the half marathon!!! We are all very proud!!! (And I was in charge of walker races on the third floor at Samaritin Medical Center and beat ALL the "older" patients there!!! told ya I'd be back!...look out!)
Diantha

[Rawmney]

Diantha, I am SO sorry to hear about all that has happened.

What a major disappointment to have trained for the big day and then suffer an injury that not only causes you to miss it, but also knocks out your training and your normal life. You have done a very unselfish (and in my mind smart) thing to let the family go on the trip.

Please be very patient with yourself during your recovery. You are so much more than your running, but it's easy to get that as an integral part of your identity (I had a minor injury this summer and was really down during the few weeks I was sideline). Sounds like you've got a great attitude toward appreciating life that can go toward appreciating yourself, whatever small steps (literally and figuratively) you're able to take.

Do be careful when you move back into the physical activity. Hopefully you'll be able to look at pool running, elliptical training, etc. (as your recovery and affordable facilities allow) down the road. Even so, take it slow.

To have trained for a marathon, you are very strong mentally and emotionally. Remind yourself of that when the going feel tough. I will be thinking of you and wishing for a full recovery and happiness along the way. Although a trite comparison, the marathon may be the best analogy for the road ahead.

Best,
Caryn

[kmik]

That's unbelievable!!!! How does something like that happen? Why not an arm or something you could still run with???

You must be very proud of your kids! And your husband!!!

Hope you're up and running again soon!

[misslinda]

ONCE A RUNNER ALWAYS A RUNNER DIANTHA !!!!


Have you ever had the opportunity to read Lanc Armstrong's "It's not about the bike?" I would really encourage you to read that book since you will be having some "ME" time.

You're a runner at heart---runner's never give up and if anything, your fellow raw running buddies await your return. The only thing we ask.........

~you love your self no matter what
~allow your body to heal
~know that you are loved here and there
~healing energy sent to you from friends
~you always invision the running day again.

:) :) :)

[twinee1]

Oh dear. I am sending you a heal fast blessing. I give you so much credit for you attitude. So will you be iKeep us posted on your progress. Will you be in the bed long ?

I recently fell on the ice, landed on my tailbone and cracked my elbow (both still sore & elbow still swolllen after 4 weeks !) but now I must say my boo boo was small and I feel bad I was belly aching about my sore tailbone.

Best Wishes !

[NFrawRUNNER]

I find I am more emotional over the last week! So, I am sniffling from your posts. I appreciate the support and take note of the excellent advice. Staying raw has been easy and I think truly helping me to heal....listening to my body....craving more fruit so going with it! My 15 year old son wants to be a chef so has taken over my "meals"....boy oh boy, he is headed for greatness as a raw food chef....future career???hmmm...It's amazing how my 5 children have transformed into little angelic helpers....and yes, my husband too! He is awesome! I belong to our local YMCA so eventually I will be able to utilize a lot of the equipment and such.... Right now though I am happy to just be able to slide my own leg across the bed. I have physical therapy to retrain the muscles that were severed. Thankfully, they say the neural pathways will reconnect easier because I am in such good shape. So, that's it right. I'll stay nourished, do my exercises, and appreciate the small moments life has to offer! Thanks guys!
Di ;)

[NFrawRUNNER]

Thanks for your reply....tailbone? ouch...I feel for ALL injuries now! I am "out of commission for anywhere from 6 weeks to several months...depending on my progress...Because I am in good shape, it shouldn't take as long...the hard part RIGHT now is the swollenness and "tightness"...somewhat psychological...I should be able to bend more but due to the (normal) swelling my range of motion is limited. I can "walk" with crutches and am allowed to put 50% weight on my right leg...TG my upper body and core is strong to help compensate! You are a weight lifter right? Any ideas what I can do just to maintain tone? I have hand weights, ankle weights, and (eventually) a total gym....not much but maybe you have tips on some isometric exercises? I want to keep my strong parts as toned as I can to assist me in the long run...thanks (don't know your first name)...
Diantha

[spockafina]

I'm sorry to hear about your accident - what timing! But it was only your leg, it could have been a lot worse. I am grateful you will be able to heal and you will be running again soon!

Best of luck

[tglasco4]

Thankfully, they say the neural pathways will reconnect easier because I am in such good shape. So, that's it right. I'll stay nourished, do my exercises, and appreciate the small moments life has to offer! Thanks guys!
Di ;)

Its very tough to have trained so hard and have to miss what you have trained for :( . I pray that not only will you completely recover, but that you will grow stronger from this experience. I know you will :) . Its a good thing you were in such excellent physical condition or the situation may have been much worse. The training you have done will make your recovery go much better. Eating alot of fruit and veggies will definitely speed your recovery.

I know we will be hearing your testimony soon about how you healed much faster than the doctors expected. You will be back to 50-70 miles per week again, but next time you will be stronger and wiser.

What is the official medical prognosis for your recovery?

Peace.

Todd

[NFrawRUNNER]

Recovery time is 4 weeks to 4 months!!! Whatever that means!! I get the "staples" removed this Friday and will see the doctor for a more updated prognosis...will keep you all posted! Thanks for the encouragement! Even though I am having a lot of rest/down time I don't feel sluggish and owe that all to raw foods I AM CERTAIN! I am trying to focus on day to day healing because it saddens me to think that I will not be running for months after running consistently for 6 years....I just have to believe this happened for a reason....God wanted me to slow down right :)...Thanks again for all the great advice!

[lavendarJ]

Diantha

I am sorry to hear about your disappointment in not being able to run. I don't know how you feel about herbs and all but I wanted to make a suggestion to you to research comfrey. It was always known as "the knitter" because of its ability to help assist in the healing of broken bones and major sprains and such. Comfrey is also reported to benefit in many other ways. If you want something to research, here are some websites with very basic information on the herb:

http://www.taoherbfarm.com/herbs/herbs/comfrey.htm

http://www.herballegacy.com/thesis.htm

Happy Healing :)

[NFrawRUNNER]

I am excited to hear feedback re: comfrey as my mom thankfully just went to our local health food store with a list from things I had researched including comfrey! + horsetail herb, nettle, red clover, and homeopathic silica drops!!! I am "steeping" tea as we speak!!! I'll let you know how the healing goes and will check out the websites you sent too! Thanks!
Di :p

[NFrawRUNNER]

I am feeling better and stronger every day with this "injury." The herbs recommended herein and in my research are really helping I think. I am also appeasing my family and friends by taking a vegetarian calcium, magnesium, vitamin D supplement :) ...My question is about the drug coumadin (a.k.a. warfarin)....It has been 3 weeks since my hip/leg surgery and they still can not get my coumadin levels to stabalize. As a raw vegan, many of "our foods" interfere with coumadin's ability to work. I now am up to 5 pills (12.5 mg) a day to keep it in check. Normally, I scoff at Rx meds. and refuse to take them. However, coumadin is a blood thinner to prevent blood clots, an area I choose not to mess with!!! :eek: I don't want to have to take these pills for much longer so I am looking for ideas on foods that will not interfere with the Rx...I have already removed avacadoes :( and am thinking of sticking with all fruits for awhile to get my levels up??? any ideas...also, if you know anything else about coumadin (yes, it is used for rat poison but I feel my hands are tied!!!).....I'm all ears.....
Di

[RawTruth]

Please please please contact Tonya Zavaste immediately -- even if it means a long-distance phone call. She has had numerous surgeries (hip replacement and more) as a raw vegan. She warns about coumadin in her lectures -- as raw vegans we already have "thin blood" (meaning NORMAL blood not thickened by cooked food poisons) -- and knows all about it. She was a PhD candidate when she left her studies to devote her time to raw food research. She healed in record time from her surgeries by juicing. She can offer you solid experience and advice and also, from her vast experience, how to deal effectively with the doctors.

If you have trouble getting ahold of her, contact me privately.

[NFrawRUNNER]

OK I am not running or anything but I stopped taking the coumadin a week ago after speaking personally with Tonya Z. (she is awesome by the way!) and I am able to get around my house with only 1 crutch. I can take a few shaky steps too which has been my "goal" to walk by one month (tomorrow is 1 month since the "accident.") My father, who is my current chauffer :D , is impressed with both my progress and my vitality due to raw foods. He said to me yesterday he thinks that part of the "reason" for my fateful accident was for me to go through this to realize a new career path in raw foods as a health consultant! I think he may be right but I am not sure where to begin! I would love to help others. Not just educate about raw foods but teach them the empowerment to take control of their own health.....anyone else start out this way? It started with the coumadin. I "fooled them" with my blood test by eating only cantaloupe for dinner the night prior and the morning of my blood work because cantaloupe is an anti-coagulant....sure enough my levels were good and I hadn't taken ANY coumadin in 5 days!!! (I also took several vitamin e capsules which are also ac's)....I wish I had done my research sooner and would rec. anyone else to investigate any prescription....Hindsight is 20/20 and I was in too much pain at the onset...never again. I am also drinking a homeopathic tea remedy 3x per day along with arnica....we'll see how quickly my bones heal and strengthen!!! I hope to be running by June....anyone wanna wager???? Sorry this post is so long. I feel so "at home" here with you all that I had to brag a little. Moreover, I want everyone to know that there is always hope even when things look so gloomy. I am not running no. But I am way further ahead than anyone expected and I owe a lot of that to my healthy lifestyle of raw foods and can't wait to prove it to the world when my bones and blood get re-evaluated!!! Thanks for all the help and encouragement! :)

[misslinda]

Grooooooooooovy !!!!!!!!!!!!


Love the power of your strenth Diantha. Continue to heal and enojy your recovery. :)

Have you looked into Alissa's cert classes?

[RawTruth]

I am thrilled with how this is working out for you, Diantha. I knew Tonya would be key in getting some solid information. Kudos to you for turning it around and seeing this as an opportunity to spread the word.