By Latasha Lewis/Detroit Free Press/TNSIn October, I dislocated my shoulder.I was doing a double jack burpee and my hand slipped, then my shoulder decided to go another way. The first thing people said after the incident was, “You can’t do that exercise again.”First, I am not the typical 43-year-old. Telling me what I can’t do only pushes me to do more, and to do it better. Secondly, I always assess situations to see what can be done differently. Lastly, I will always comply with all of my doctors’ and physical therapy orders, and I will modify my workouts until I fully recover; however, I will not live in fear.From the moment the incident happened, I kept calm. I also knew that pain is temporary and relief was moments away. All I had to do was hang in there and get to a hospital.The normal procedure to reduce a dislocated shoulder is to do conscious sedation, which has risk factors as well as a longer hospital recovery time. So I chose not to do conscious sedation to reduce my shoulder pain. I looked at my doctor, my nurse and team and yelled, “Can I get it, get it, get it?” With laughter in the air, the team popped my arm back in place. I was elated and relieved at the same time.The incident had happened; it was under control, then the real work began with post-recovery. This is where multiple doctor appointments, diagnostic studies and physical therapy came into play. My orthopaedic surgeon was very stern with me. He said: “You have a small tear and a bruised bone, and whether you have surgery or not depends on how dedicated you are to your physical therapy.” Going from a very active lifestyle like mine to modifying and asking for help is a very humbling experience.Physical therapy opened my eyes to a different form of fitness, because that’s just what it is. As much as you don’t like exercising when your body is 100%, imagine going to therapy already in pain, with a limited range of motion. There were many days I wanted to not show up, but I knew that the only person that would hurt is me.Three months after the incident, at a doctor’s appointment, my orthopaedic surgeon walked into the room and pulled up my MRI. He gave me a high five and said, “Great job; you did it.” A big sigh of relief came over me. I know I am not 100% yet; however, I am on the right track to a full recovery.Recovery works if you put in the work. Here are some lessons I was reminded of along the way:♦ Injuries and accidents will happen; that’s life! How you choose to recover is totally your choice. Don’t get settled in on the couch after an injury, and slowly drift back into a sedentary lifestyle.♦ Focus on what you can do and stop dwelling on what you can’t. Some of us become prisoners in our minds when our bodies are willing to give all.♦ Get an accountability partner. My team has been truly amazing during my recovery. They had and still have a very watchful eye on me, and will often tell me to chill out when I’m doing too much. But they don’t enable me.♦ About 80% of this healthy journey is what you eat. I knew that since I wouldn’t be doing three workout sessions a day for awhile I would have to be even more on point with my eating. Plus, great nutrition helps the body heal faster.♦ Make your life a little easier during recovery. I was unable to raise my arm for a while so doing daily activities such as doing my hair was nearly impossible. So I got my hair braided. (I couldn’t walk around looking a mess.)♦ Celebrate the small victories. When I was able to raise my arm completely, I shouted for joy. When I was able to hold a plank position or do a modified push-up, I told the world. Everything will not come back all at once, so celebrate the little things.♦ Don’t allow yourself to indulge in any “mess” whatsoever. Don’t live in the past or live in fear. It will cripple you mentally, and have you doubting yourself and your abilities.