This is the final post until healed

Today (May day!) marks 7 months since I got this infuriating & very confusing pubic ramus stress fracture. But I have learned & am still learning so much. I have decided that this will be the last post on my personal blog until healed. The next & final post will be one of delight when fully recovered. I was told by various people (doctor, physio's, orthopaedic & professor of sports anatomy etc) that it will take at least a year…

But since this, I had a long conversation with noted physiotherapist Gerard Hartmann (physio for athletes such as Paula Radcliffe, Sonia O’Sullivan, Eamonn Coughlin, Karl Lewis....). He explained the complexity of my pelvic fracture, which can easily take 18 months – 2 years in my case before recovered. SO, until then, here is a wrap up summary of the blog to date. I really look forward to writing the final post when healed, no matter how long more that will take!

Sept: Ran Berlin marathon 28th September for cancer. Wonderful & exhilarating experience. Trained very hard mixed with various races in the months leading up to Berlin.

Oct: Still limping since marathon with much groin pain. Doctor said it sounded like groin/muscle strain & prescribed anti-inflammatory tablets. They barely worked, still pain. Then I go physiotherapist…
End Oct: MRI scan diagnosis severe “stress fracture to the left inferior pubic ramus” with muscle avulsion tears etc.

Nov: Continue attempts of cycling & swimming only. Getting through this limited activity until the pain is too much then taking difene for relief. Still unaware of the severity & long-term nature of this injury.

Mid-Nov: Cellulitis infection in right foot. This is unrelated and separate to the fracture injury. Serious swelling, pain & inflammation in foot & up leg. Total 6-weeks with this. Bed/house bound with leg elevated & on crutches for 4 weeks before can return to work on crutches. Therefore this an enforced rest for fracture also…

Christmas Eve: Ease off the crutches & start walking slowly with only mild pain in foot (cellulites) but the pain from pelvic fracture clearly continues. Cycling 2-3 hours/day over Christmas holidays after 6-weeks of immobility & inactive. Pain still there but not as bad. Outdoors & air much needed after being housebound so long.

Mid-January: Pain too much from cycling & even walking form A-to-B. Referred to orthopaedic consultant. Isotope bone scans confirmed same severity of pubic fracture & no recovery. Instructed minimum 8-12 weeks of complete solid rest with 2-3 weeks of this on crutches. Not even swimming, walking or anything. Keep off feet as much as possible.

February, March - 1st April: Total & solid rest taken very seriously & aided by crutch(es). Minimal walking & not even able to stretch! During this time, my best friend of 25-years died of the same cancer that my Mum died of last year. At this point I reaLLy need my running & exercise passion to combat this. It’s my release outlet. But I’m on crutches! I’ll deal with it… and I did. It is impossible to describe the feelings (physically & mentally) of hitting rock bottom through this very tough period.

Start April: I say “right Lizanne we’re getting rid of this damn crutch now"..... Walking is much easier albeit very gently with mild limp & pain. A sudden movement or turn will send dagger into pubis. The pressure of sitting on the bone still remains. But I'm determined to only go upwards now & not allow this injury to take over everything.

Start Aqua-jogging group for injured athletes with Catherina McKiernan (Retired Irish Olympian runner) at out National Aquatic Centre. I last 2-3 aqua jog sessions of 45mins… the pain returns full force. Back to limp & total rest again after almost 2 weeks of showing improvement for the first time.

Mid-April: Catherina & fellow coaches advises me onto Professor of Anatomy & sports medicine and chairperson of The Irish Osteoporosis Society. The DEXA bone density scan showed no osteoporosis thankfully. Professor prescribed high calcium + Vit-D tablets, put on gluten-free & greatly fiber reduced diet to aid absorption of vits & minerals to aid bone repair.

Referred to a well-known Dublin physiotherapist. This is the latest update (May) after 2 physio sessions with him. Today I still have pain & continue to do stretching/strengthening core exercises only. Walking normally but it's minimal & slow. So I have now (1st May) reached 7-months no running or impact exercise. Walking gently A-to-B is OK but the pain more prominent after 20+ minutes on feet. I return to the Professor in a few weeks for more results of tests.

And my sanity?!? Absolutely fine. I have learned so much along my journey through this rocky section of my life. The way I see it is that these obstacles prove very challenging but by treating them as experiences to learn from, they can be put in the past & I know I will return to the good times eventually. Sticking to this philosophy. I setup a community group blog. The authors of this blog are people from all over who share the same experiences & frustrations with this pelvic fracture. The group blog provides the much needed understanding & support to each other. (Link below)

Next steps: A much needed holiday but not as active as I would like. Going on a 3-week South African camping safari tour soon. I will just have to take it easier than the rest of the group & be a spectator only for some of the activities! Starting my part-time Masters course in August at Smurfit Business College, UCD. I will continue working fulltime job through studies so until that kicks in, I want to take advantage of the free time by focusing on friends, family, work & life! This injury will no longer consume me as it has for too long now.

There are positives. I will get better because nothing lasts forever. This is just another experience (very difficult, upsetting & long experience admittedly) that will serve to make me a stronger person. It continues to put so many other things into perspective & provides valuable lessons. When I'm able to walk properly & get outdoors to enjoy any kind of exercise again I will be so grateful. It's amazing how much we normally take for granted!

Until my next post when healed, updates of progress will continue on our group blog. Click here: Group Blog

You can see the location of my pubic ramus fracture in this diagram and also see why it's sore when sitting - directly on the fractured bone!