Surviving Injury

01/05/2025

Energy management is one of the hardest skills to learn when your body is different. People who have just been injured, or have chronic pain or chronic conditions alike struggle with energy management. Tasks that used to be small, nearly insignificant, become big drains on your energy. Things that used to happen without thought suddenly require a lot more pre-planning, focus, and energy. I have started to to think about my body now being a "battery." I consider how many points of energy something will take, and recognize how much I have left. For example, I love going to the gym. And before, I used to always have enough energy to points to go work out. Now, I still go to the gym, but it's expensive, energy-wise. I may have to choose between going to the gym, and cooking myself dinner, both high energy activities. It doesn't mean I can never go to the gym, I just will make sure I have meals prepped on another day.

I have to remember that things that used to take 10% energy, now may take 25%. That does not make you and I weak, it does not make us lazy. It does not make us pathetic. It simply means things are different. Just like I have less range-of-motion does not make me less of a person, neither does my energy management difference.

If you need help learning how to regulate your energy levels, make activities less taxing, or learning to be comfortable with your energy change, reach out! We are here to support you through your situation 💞

28/04/2025

Something that a lot of people don't consider about the rehabilitation process is how much time and energy it truly sucks from you. Consider a schedule like this

7:00am- Wake up, get ready, eat breakfast, leave
8-12am- Work
12-1- Lunch Break
1-5pm- Work
5:00pm- Make dinner, clean, start laundry
8:00pm- Gym
9:30pm- Shower, get ready for bed

Now, factor in rehabilitation time. Not including formal physical/occupational therapy, it can be done in small chunks. That can help make it more manageable, and feel more realistic to do.

6:50am- Wake up, get ready, eat breakfast
7:35am- Ice/heat area, rotating 3 times, 3 times each one
While driving to work, stretch the area gently (push hand on steering wheel, use
passenger seat to stretch shoulder, straighten and bend knee, etc)
8-12am- Work
Every hour on the hour, work the area for 5 minutes
12-12:30pm- Eat Lunch
12:30-1pm- Work the area with light bands, weights, etc
1-5pm- Work
Every hour on the hour, work the area for 5 minutes
While driving home, stretch the area gently (push hand on steering wheel, use
passenger seat to stretch shoulder, straighten and bend knee, etc)
5:00pm- Make dinner, clean, start laundry
7:40pm- Hook up on TENS unit
8:00pm- Gym -- spend at least 20 minutes of the workout on rehabilitation exercises
9:30pm- Rotate heat/ice 3 times for 5 minutes each OR epsom salt bath
10:00pm- Shower, put on night braces, go to bed

Another thing to remember is that every single time you are moving or working the area, it is taking energy from you, adding in pain, and challenging your mind to force your body to do it. Some days it is ABSOLUTELY okay to not be as consistent. Some days, it is absolutely okay to not hit all of your sessions. It is absolutely okay to focus more on pain management and less on rehab sometimes. Give yourself grace, compassion, and love. Don't forget, that the more you can build your rehab into your consistent routine, the more you will be consistent in doing it.

26/04/2025

Surgery is coming up soon — and I wanted to share some of the small ways I'm preparing to make it a little easier.

These are things I've learned over time, through trial and error (and lots of tough days).

19/11/2024

Recovering from an Injury? We’re Here for You! 🌟

Hi friends,
If you’re navigating life after an injury—whether it’s a short-term problem, or a long-term disability—you’re not alone. Surviving Injury is a supportive community where we connect, share, and heal together.

My name is Jennie, and I am excited to connect with individuals who have gone through some hard stuff! I got a significant injury to both of my hands 2.5 years ago and have learned a LOT in the ups and downs since then. I am excited to share what I have learned, and learn from you as well.

Even if you are through your injury, we are also needing people to come in to be mentors to those who just recently have gotten injured.

Visit our website to find our next IN-PERSON or VIRTUAL, FREE meeting, OR shoot me a message and let’s connect!

www.survivinginjury.com

You don’t have to go through this alone. Let’s thrive together! 💛

10/11/2024

Sometimes, walking into that physical therapists office again, once you know what it's going to be like, is one of the hardest things to do. Getting another surgery put on the schedule yet again, knowing what the pain and the rehab is going to be like, that's courage. Trying a new task or activity for the first time since your injury, that's real fear.

Healing takes a level of courage, showing up for yourself requires you to dig a little deeper each time, just hoping that the treasure will be there at the end of the rainbow. Trusting your medical team, especially if you've had bad experiences in the past.

All of this takes courage. All of this takes energy, work, effort, and I see you all out there, digging a little deeper. Keep it up, I'm cheering you on!

Come join our free community today! www.survivinginjury.com

06/11/2024

PART 2
That first night was not as bad as I would have expected. I didn't sleep at all, I was in too much pain. Plus, the hallway outside of my bedroom isn't exactly the most comfortable place to be. I was also still in my full uniform and wasn't going to try to change at this point. The reality started to sink in, that this wasn't a dream that I as going to wake up from. Morning finally came, and I called my Dad. I remember so distinctly, he answered the phone and said "Hey, you calling to wish me a Happy Birthday?" I had totally forgotten in the mess of everything that it was his birthday! I actually aaalllmoostt didn't tell him what had happened, because I really didn't want to ruin his birthday. But instead, I told him, but downplayed it. Remember, I had already decided in my mind that I was going to have the fastest recovery in the history of injuries, I was going to shock everyone and be back at work in 4 WEEKS instead. I still believed that anything was achievabe with enough time, work, dedication, and persistence. Little did I know that I was actually setting myself up for a hard crash when that didn't become reality. My parents came and picked me up, and I asked if we could get my car from work. We are now into the weekend, so I cannot call the surgeon to get an appointment until Monday.

The whole day, I started to really understand what I was up against. How do I change my shirt? Take off my belt? Open the drawer with cereal in it? God forbid I shut the door when I go to the bathroom, I won't be able to get it back open. All of those things I had told myself the night before, that I was independant, that I wasn't really going to need much help, was ripped out from under me. I felt like a prisoner in my own body. The pain was not even settling a little bit, my ability to function and do anything was just non-existent. I kept seeing the look of sadness and pity in my families eyes as they helped me with everything. I have never wanted to crawl out of my own skin and disappear, as bad as I did that day.

That evening, I laid down in bed and just started to cry. I wanted to go back 36 hours to when I was never hurt. I wanted to get my life back, my body back. I started looking up videos and tips on how to function and do daily living activities without using either hand. I literally couldn't find anything. I had no idea how I was going to survive the next few weeks. I still had a spark of that fire, that I was going to beat the odds, that I was going to get better really quickly, but, in that moment, I felt like a total prisoner.

Join us at www.survivinginjury.com to connect and become a part of our family!

05/11/2024

The few days after my injury is a time of my life I don't really talk about much. I had so many thoughts and feelings, and I felt completely alone in them. But, I don't really think that I am alone, and if sharing my story even helps one person, then it's time for me to open up about it. My story is long, there was a lot of moving parts, so I am going to break it up into multiple posts.

My injury was on the evening of May 6, 2022. I worked as an Advanced EMT, on an ambulance, at the time. I was on shift when it happened. It wasn't supposed to be anything. It was a routine day, a routine shift. But, my partner wasn't paying attention when he was backing up the ambulance, and started to suddenly back up when I was behind him. To avoid getting hit, I jumped backwards out of the way, which caused me to fall. I put my hands out behind me when I landed, and then attempted to crawl away. "It was just a fall," I kept telling myself. "Falls hurt, but I'm okay." I didn't want to be the weak one at work. I didn't want to make it a big deal. I'm supposed to be helping people who are hurt, not to be the hurt one myself. But after 4 hours of unrelenting pain, I realized there is no way I would be able to keep working. I eventually called my superviser.

2am now, we go to the ER. I knew my right wrist was broken, I'd seen enough broken wrists to know. I thought my left was just sprained. A couple of X-Rays later, nope, they're both broken, and they both need surgery. Diagnosed a scaphoid fracture in each wrist. I kept telling the ER doctor, "No, something's wrong on the pinky (ulnar) side of my wrist." He briefly checked the X-Ray and said that there wasn't. I told him the splint was not helping the pain on that side, he said to give it some time. I won't be able to work for awhile. "It's just 6 weeks," I told myself over and over. "I'll be back to work in 6 weeks."

My parter drops me off at my house since I couldn't drive. It's the middle of the night, I can't call anyone right now. I decided I'll get some sleep before dealing with it in the morning. Maybe, just maybe, I'll wake back up at the station and this will all be one sick dream. My partner pulls away, and I fumble with the key at the door for awhile. I realized pretty quickly that with two splinted hands, I'm not going to be able to unlock the door. I use my mouth and partly unwrap my left hand, my better hand even though I am right-handed, and get the door unlocked. I make it to my bedroom, and realize that I cannot open the rounded doorknob into my room. No problem, I'll just sleep outside of my room for a couple of hours.

In an instant, I made some decisions and realizations about my life and my situation, without even really being aware of it.

🔴 I am now a useless member to society
🔴 I WILL be back to work in 6 weeks
🔴 Willpower and determination will make my hands heal
🔴 Everyone wants me to smile and be the "tough guy" in this situation, including myself
🔴 After surgery everything will be just fine
🔴 I cannot even do basic things or activities
🔴 I do not need people to do things for me, I was able to unlock the door and get inside on my own, I do not need help and do not want help

Like I said, a lot of these thoughts are things I didn't even know I was creating, habits I was forming, behaviors I was molding. But they sure became some very strong beliefs

Join us at www.survivinginjury.com to connect and become a part of our family!



Stay tuned for Part 2

19/09/2024

See you at 6:30pm on Monday for our next support group meeting🌻 share with your friends, families, and clients who may need it

30/08/2024

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our weekly support group meetings at Mountain Point Medical Center, taking place every Monday evening at 6:30pm. Join us for a transformative experience, connecting with a vibrant community of individuals who share your journey!

Visit www.survivinginjury.com for meeting dates and information.

Share with your friends and family, you never know who may be needing some help. Give us a like and a follow to help support the group and spread the word. Love you all 🫶

Utah Injury Support Group Find Support, Heal, and GrowAn injury can be devestating, regardless of the cause, timing, your age, or type of injury. Even when you are expected to make a full recovery, it can be months or years before you are back doing what you love to do, and feeling like yourself aga...

30/08/2024

In the middle of a mental challenge dealing with physical pain, I was reminded of a sweet truth. Lately, physical therapy has been brutal. Pain has been hard to manage. It feels like there’s no escape, no end to the hurt and frustrations and limitations. Feels like there’s nothing else I can do to get better. Every little activity or thing I try to do is a constant reminder of what I’ve lost with my hands. Then, in true universe fashion, she opened the skies and gave me a sweet reminder of a different message. The rainy days used to be a frustration for me, an inconvenience in my busy day. But I was quickly reminded that the feeling of raindrops on my hands are a sensation I can feel but doesn’t cause pain. Just a simple thing, feeling raindrops, but it became my portal to a connection to the world that wasn’t painful. And wow that really helped my perspective change. A reminder that those rainy days aren’t always bad. A reminder that there is a sweet lesson in the rainy times. A reminder that now I can look back and think about all of those rainy days that I now miss, I now crave. Don’t take any moment for granted, keep your eyes and heart open for the little blessings along the way. Find a connection to the world that feels good, that doesn’t bring pain, mental or physical. Love you all ☺️