Broken Leg

I wasn't born with natural athleticism, but I enjoyed physical activities. I was always afraid of balls flying at me, so I never picked up contact sports. That helped me spend most of my life relatively injury-free--until recently.

I started skiing in second grade, and I absolutely love it. I don't know how to spend a winter without skiing. But in April 2017, I fell because I did not listen to my body. When I was in my 20s, I could take over the world on just 4 hours of sleep. That day, I forgot that I was not in my 20s anymore. I was tired, but I skied anyway. In that haze, I lost the tip of my right ski on uneven terrain. No fancy tricks. No fast downhill skiing. No obstacles. I just had a minor fall with a major consequence: I broke my right tibia.

I drove myself to the ER, and the unlucky orthopedic resident who was on call on a Sunday night found the fracture right away. He told me that I needed surgery or I wouldn't be able to walk again. Whoah. My invincibility disappeared. Five days after my fall, I received my 10-grand tattoo and became a bionic woman. I was anemic and on an injectable blood thinner. For ten weeks, I couldn't bear any weight on my right leg.

That experience has taught me that I cannot take anything for granted in life--like walking. From outside, I looked a normal, young, medium built, relatively healthy looking female. But in reality, I could not use the stairs. I could not run to the trains. I learned that you can never judge by outside appearances. That person taking the elevator one floor? They could--like me--have an invisible injury.

I was so thankful that I could still practice dentistry. In wheelchair, I saw patients and it was great way to break the ice with my patients. It was truly an eye opening experience for me. After two surgeries and 40 sessions of physical therapy, I now have a full medical release to do what I love doing. Whenever I see the incision scar on my leg, it reminds me how lucky I am.

My fitness journey took many turns over the years. Everybody has different wants and needs. At this point of my life, fitness means taking care of the only home that I have, my body. I have no desires to get skinnier, bigger, or faster although I would not refuse to. I exercise so I can keep my body injury-free.

What are your fitness goals?