This Is Not the End!

Just over a week ago, I had a second spinal fusion. After a few days in the hospital, I’m currently at home recovering and healing—and trying to keep the pain to a minimum. Right now I’m very dependent upon those around me. And of course, all of my training, at least for the time being, has been put on hold.  

The truth is, even before the surgery my body was not functioning all that well. There were many days that I had to pull back on what I was doing due to excruciating pain down my legs. For the last four to five months, I wasn’t able to run; some days even walking the treadmill put me into pain. To say the least, my training has been a bit stop and start—actually more stop than start. Through it all, however, I’ve tried to remind myself that what I’ve been experiencing was not and is not the end of the story!   

During this time, I’ve thought back to what it was like leading up to, and just after, my first spinal surgery in 2021. At that point, it felt like all my hard work had been for naught. It felt like I would never be able to lift or run or cycle or climb again. But I soon found out such was not the case. Within a few months I was back in the gym. Five months later I ran 5K for the first time. 19 months later I ran my first half-marathon ever. And the next year, I trained for and did my first ever sprint triathlon (at 64 years old!). More than that, over the past few years I’ve enjoyed running, rock climbing, walking, cycling, hiking, and most importantly playing with my grandsons. 

Thus, today as I sit here dealing with the pain and minimal ability to move and function on my own, I remind myself that what I am experiencing today is not the end of the story. The pain will not last forever. My body will begin to move again. The effort I’ve put into my training and diet over the past few years, will soon pay off.  With God’s help, I’m looking forward to catching another “Second Wind!” (Or, “third” or “fourth”…whatever you might call it!) I am convinced that for me, this is not the end!

If today you are facing something that has laid you up or laid you out—physically, emotionally, spiritually—I want to encourage you to know that where you are today does not need to be the end of your story. With God’s help, you can and will heal. Look ahead. Press forward. Don’t give up. Don’t give in. Do what you know you need to do to be healthy and strong—again physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This is not the end!

Have a great day! 

Tim Harris 

CPT, SFS, PN1 Nutrition Coach