Recovering from a fractured bone takes an emotional toll
With my current restrictions, it's difficult not to feel burdensome
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Enduring three fractures over nine months — my femur in September, my nose in February, and my fibula in June — has certainly taken its toll on me. Not only are fractures and recoveries disruptive, painful, and exhausting, but they’re also emotional for me as someone with Friedreich’s ataxia (FA).
My latest injury is, in comparison, the least complicated. I didn’t need any permanent medical-grade hardware, surgeries, or procedures to aid my recovery. Per doctors’ orders, though, I’ve already had to spend six weeks not bearing weight on my leg, stabilizing it with a removable cast, and doing RICE therapy (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). I hope I will be cleared to resume normal activity at my next follow-up appointment. Until then, though, I am forced to live with the inconvenient consequences of the accident caused by my FA.
During this slow recovery, my mind has put itself through the emotional wringer.
Even though I was a wheelchair user before this fracture, my level of independence has changed due to the restrictions of my recovery. I can no longer transition to the shower, pool, couch, or restaurant chairs without heavy assistance, for example. But the most inconvenient thing is not being able to transition to the driver’s seat of my car. Fortunately, my right leg (the one I use to drive) is healthy and uninjured, so once I am cleared to bear weight and take the required three steps from my wheelchair to the driver’s seat, I can resume driving. Until that happens, I must rely on others to drive my family and me around.
This has resulted in an intense loop of negativity. The extra burden my loved ones are carrying seems to outweigh any of my positive contributions. As someone who expresses love through acts of service, I feel like more of a debt than a credit to my household right now.
I know this is temporary, and I am contributing more than I give myself credit for, but that truth is slow to catch up to the thoughts that pop into my head in moments of frustration.
‘You are loved’
At the end of last year, one of my family’s favorite artists announced a tour. My husband and I got six tickets for the Forrest Frank concert in Austin, Texas, enough for our family of four, plus a friend for each of our children. We surprised them with the tickets in their Christmas stockings, and they were beyond excited.
As the concert date drew closer, my children played Forrest Frank songs on our household smart speakers at nearly all waking hours. One of his songs, “Always,” strongly convicted me every single time, and I wanted to share it as a way to uplift and encourage anyone else who might feel burdensome at the moment.
“You are loved, you are chosen, your body isn’t broken
For every door that closes, a better one gets opened
You got a light inside, too radiant to hide
If you don’t think so, let me change your mind
Wherever you go, wherever you stay
Don’t you forget that love is always coming your way
No matter how far, how broken you are
Don’t you forget that love is always coming your way
Always.”
Note: Friedreich’s Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Friedreich’s Ataxia News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Friedreich’s ataxia.
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