Originally posted on Facebook, March 20, 2025
Vancouver, BC. — I’ve made two new best friends who have become indispensable in my life: my walker and my wheelchair. I’ve named them Sakarbai and Sadrubha. These hardworking companions help me navigate the world after a leg fracture and surgery, bringing mobility back into my life.
It’s been 13 surreal days since the surgery, where an 18-inch rod was inserted from my hip to my knee. Yesterday, I had a follow-up appointment with the doctor who gave me the green light to fly back to Toronto. Woohoo!
But recovery is no small feat. Every day is a challenge. My body is often exhausted, and the physio activities, though tough, are helping me relearn how to walk. Painkillers are a necessary ally, and I seem to be constantly hungry. Yet, despite the discomfort and struggles, I’m moving forward, with the unwavering support of those around me.
Progress, however small, is still progress. Today, I took a shower on my own with the help of Sakarbai, and she accompanied me on a walk outside to bask in the cool, sunny Vancouver weather. I’ve also learned how to get in and out of bed without pain—something I took for granted. Sadrubha has been my faithful partner in getting me to medical appointments, and giving me respite when I need it.
I’ve also been learning a new language of strength. Phrases like “engage your core,” “mobilize,” and “activate your muscles” now ring through my mind. But the most profound lesson has been how to use my breath when doing tough things. I’ve discovered that when the task at hand feels daunting—whether it’s rising from bed or performing a tough physio exercise—the key is to take a deep breath and exhale with the movement. I can’t believe it took me this long to learn this simple but life-changing technique. If I do not use my “breathing out” breath, while doing something hard, I literally would not be able to do most of the prescribed exercises. What a revelation!
The highlight of my hospital visit was when the doctor told me, “You have no limitations – except you can’t fall.” To me, this meant freedom. It meant that I could do anything my body allows me to do. That freedom, though, comes with challenges. Today, I attempted to climb stairs and failed as I could not put my left leg on the stair. But because I was “unrestricted,” I adapted by crawling up six steps and using my bum to climb down six steps. It wasn’t perfect, but it was progress. It reminded me of 11 month-old Amaal learning to climb the stairs in our home.
While I know I’ll need Sakarbai and Sadrubha for a couple of months before I can walk with a cane, I’m focused on the future. Nagib and I are preparing for a 5-hour plane ride to Toronto on Thursday night with precautions in place—blood thinner pills and compression socks—as recommended by the doctors. When we return, we’ll navigate the next phase of my recovery: organizing treatment, setting up support systems, and continuing this journey one day at a time. This isn’t just recovery; it’s a learning adventure, and we are open to it.
Reflecting on this experience, if I could go back in time, I would have started an exercise program much earlier in life. I now understand the true importance of movement. Weight training, walking, yoga, Pilates, dancing. These aren’t just activities, they are lifelines to maintaining a strong and resilient body. Movement matters. We often realize this too late, but I’m determined to carry this lesson with me for the rest of my life.
During this time, I have received many messages of encouragement, such as this one from my grand-daughter, Amaal.
