Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Dear Dr. G

Dear Dr. G -

This time last year, you performed bilateral fasciotomies on my lower legs to relieve my chronic exertional compartment syndrome. Before coming to you, I saw two doctors. The first seemed clueless and unmotivated to solve the medical mystery of the tightness and pain my calves. The second told me to give up on running, telling me that women always regret the scars from corrective surgery.

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for you and your team. It meant so much to me that you listened when I explained my symptoms, that you were eager to treat me, and that your vision for my longterm recovery was the same as my own. You never tried to talk me out of surgery. You never suggested that my passion for my sport mattered less to me than few cosmetic abnormalities would. Your goal to was help me run again.

These days, I am running again. The fact that I am seeing my old paces and distances just one year post-surgery is astounding, especially because I spent such a long time sidelined before I met you.

I am not a competitive runner. Maybe that's why other doctors weren't pressed to get me on my feet. But I use running to manage my anxiety and depression. Running is the only form of exercise I have ever enjoyed, so it is the only one that I have stuck with. When I can't run, my mental and emotional health suffers.

There were times last year when I thought I'd never run again. That was devastating. When I say you gave me my life back when you treated my legs, I really mean it. I cannot thank you enough.

Thank you. Sincerely.

Warmly,
ABK

6 comments:

  1. I am so glad that you came through that hard time victorious. I know how wonderful it is to be able to look back and celebrate.

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    1. It almost feels like that year was just a bad dream!

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  2. I can't believe it's been over a year now. Where does the time go?

    Just got home from my run and placed a Skirt Sports order using your promo code because I needed more running shorts so that I can do more running! :) TY!

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    1. Ah, I'm so glad you're getting good use out of the code! Which shorts did you treat yourself to?

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  3. What a lovely tribute - and what a testimony to perseverance! Glad you've had such a good post-surgery year.

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