My road came to an unexpected halt on November 9, 2010.

That morning, I was bicycling to work when a garbage truck turned across a city bike lane. I was in that bike lane.

A team of trauma surgeons saved my life, but they had to amputate my left leg. My body and life were forever changed.

The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.

As I learned to walk again, I measured my recovery in steps and then miles. Over time that journey grew into something more -- a way of being in the world, wherever I go.

I am a person of ability and disability. I travel in the space between. These are my postcards.

Monday, August 1, 2011

Back to Bacon

Mile Marker 30:

After walking 30 miles, I thought I should celebrate big.  That I should come up with some deep thoughts about the accident and how far I’ve come.  But that task became too overwhelming, especially last night at bedtime.

It turns out there are some things I’m not quite ready to talk about yet.

So I decided to get “Back to Basics.”   Actually, BACK TO BACON.

Bacon’s a great way to celebrate my 30th mile.  Here’s why:  Bacon reminds me of so many tiny, pleasurable, and funny moments during my recovery. 

In the hospital, I didn’t have much of an appetite.  And the huge bags of antibiotics coursing through my IV made food taste metallic.  When my meal tray was delivered, I’d taste each item and then push it away.  My mom would take a forkful.  “It tastes fine!” she said.  No matter.  Even foods I loved – turkey, pasta, Starbucks Frappaccinos – tasted strange.

One morning, I was sitting in my chair, near the doorway of my room.  A cart of breakfast trays passed by in the hall.  An aroma wafted in.  

My across-the-hall neighbor had ordered BACON.

Bacon was never really something I liked.  But it smelled so good that, the next day, I ordered it too.  And the next.  And the next.  The streak was on.  Every day, bacon became my staple.  It was the only food I’d eat on my breakfast tray, and sometimes all day.   

In the morning, when my surgeon Dr. K stopped by, he’d jokingly lift off the plastic cover from my breakfast plate, sneaking a peek to see if I’d finished my bacon.  I always had.

Bacon wasn’t readily available at night, so I expanded to pepperoni.  My brother Mark braved the snow to bring me late-night pizza slices from outside the hospital.  He was a pizza and bacon-cheeseburger fan himself, so he proudly announced that he'd converted me to his world of fast food.   He started bringing me hash browns from Dunkin Donuts.  They went well with bacon.  I'd joined him on the dark side.

Why bacon?   

Maybe my body craved the salt, the fat, or the protein.  My Uncle Steve (who's also a doctor) came up with an unlikely theory that became my favorite.  While I was having a blood transfusion one day, he noticed the blood donation had come from a Wisconsin blood bank.  Altogether I’d received 19 units of blood.    He said I was like a new person on the inside – maybe one who was farm-fed.  Maybe my new blood cells craved bacon from the country’s heartland!

When I was discharged, I stuck with bacon for quite a while.  I needed to gain weight and it seemed like the perfect way to do it.  During our many IHOP nights, my parents and I dined on bacon and eggs.  My friend Sue and I discovered a great salmon BLT at lunch one day.  My Aunt Gail bought me a zany calendar full of fun facts and quotes about bacon.  I started thinking like Homer Simpson.  Greasy and thin or crunchy and thick, bacon tasted great.

Now, 8 months later, I’m weaning myself off.   The salt adds to the swelling in both my legs.  I’m trying to get back to my old, healthier eating habits.  Perhaps my own blood cells are taking over.

Yesterday, I fed the old and the new me.  In the morning, I walked three blocks to the local farmer’s market with Jen and Mary.  We bought lots of fresh veggies, and even found honey made from bees that live in my zip code!

But later in the day, I brunched with a big group of skater friends at Little Pete’s.   I ordered sensible eggs and toast, but I was lucky enough to sit next to my bud Bosco, who ordered pancakes and BACON.   She gave me a free sample.  Mmmm.  That bacon was thick and crunchy!

So as I mark Mile 30.  Here’s to going Back to Basics, or BACON. 

I’ll figure out the hard stuff eventually, but for now, I’ve decided comfort food is the way to go.

Mileage so far:  30.79

It seems a little unfitting that my mileage picture (at top) was taken today on the treadmill at PT!  But special thanks to my therapist Colleen, who snapped it while I was walking.  I tried taking a few but they all came out blurry! 

9 comments:

  1. As Chris always says, bacon makes everything better!! Here's to bacon!

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  2. And Chris will always hold a special place in my heart for giving me my first taste of SPAM sushi!

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  3. I agree with your uncle's medical diagnosis -- obviously that Wisconsin blood transfusion was from a bacon-lover! Maybe it was from one of my brothers (they do love bacon ... and sausage ... and any breakfast meat, really). It's funny -- Emma has developed a love for bacon this past year as well! Never liked it before but now she's taking a walk on the wild side.

    As always, I so look forward to getting my "A Thousand Miles" emails. I remember back when I was writing fanfiction (shhhh), I so loved getting comments about my stories. They were addictive and motivating and made the writing process that much more rewarding. So ... I will tell you once again how much I'm enjoying all your posts and how proud I am to see you writing and sharing these deeply personal bits of your lives. (I had no idea you had turned to the bacon dark side!)

    Keep it up!

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  4. Finally catching up.....should be marking my own miles on the treadmill this morning before work...but decided to walk with you via your blog instead. Just read miles 13 through 30....you've been busy! Moments of laughter, tears, courage, insight, and new found wisdom fill the pages....making your blog a wonderful read! Guess I still have time for a few minutes on the treadmill before heading out..... but much more looking forward to a real walk with you tonight!

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  5. Rebecca, your recent search for bacon gives a new meaning to BYOB. I'll let you figure it out. It was GREAT to see so many skating friends at Little Pete's. Mary Lou, your favorite server was a welcome addition. I saw her not too long ago in the far Northeast. Small world...

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  6. I have to say, bacon is better when Mary Lou serves it! There aren't too many waitresses that can handle a table of 24 with such grace and finesse!

    And, Wendy, it's nice to think that maybe I did get some blood donated by your brothers. It's possible, and I can't think of a better long distance gift!

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  7. I have finally had the chance to catch up on your blog. What an amazing gal you are...and busy too!
    I remember when I came to visit you at Jeff and you told me of your new found affliction for bacon. I thought to myself..."Lev is eating bacon? Woah, this is crazy! Maybe I should reconsider? Alas, I still do not like bacon, but I am glad that it has served as your "go-to" comfort food. I will stick to jelly bellies or pretty much any sugary, gooey candy (despite the fact that is it no good for my grill). Cheers to you, bacon, and Mile 30! I cant wait to join you on you journey!!XOXO

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  8. It worked!! Now i can post more comments! Yahooooo...

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