In August of 2011, Jessica* reached a point in her life in which she knew she needed to begin exercising to help control her weight and to get healthy. A friend recommended she try running. It was hard at first, but she had something to prove to herself. With a 5K race in her sights, she began training.

* Her real name is used with permission

An Unnamed Pain

A year after her resolution to get in shape, Jessica looked forward to what should have been just another 5K race. But the race on that hot August morning would prove to be anything but normal. Just as she passed the one mile marker, Jessica’s left leg and foot started feeling uncomfortable. She began questioning whether she had stretched enough. Determined to finish, she blocked out the severe pain and crossed the finish line. After re hydrating, she took off her shoe to examine her foot. It had turned bluish-purple. She knew this was not good.

Not knowing how to treat her foot, she drove herself to the Emergency Room later that night. Three doses of morphine didn’t touch the pain. The doctor examined her leg and foot, finding no broken bones or blood clots. He decided to consult with an orthopedic surgeon. A puzzled look remained on the surgeon’s face as he explained that her condition didn’t make sense.

An Unlikely Diagnosis

The orthopedic surgeon suggested a procedure to help diagnose Jessica’s condition. Two long needles were placed in her leg to determine the muscle pressure. Normal muscle pressure in one’s leg falls between eight and twelve pounds of pressure. The surgeon couldn’t hide his amazement at the readings of over 150 pounds of muscle pressure in Jessica’s leg. Her muscles were literally crushing the bones in her leg.

With this startling information, the doctor told her, “You have acute compartment syndrome. There is so much pressure in your leg that there is no room for circulation. We have to surgically open your leg to relieve the pressure. It will take two surgeries. The first surgery will be to open the leg and relieve the pressure. We will have to butterfly bandage it temporarily. After a few days, if the leg muscles have not died, you’ll have the second surgery to sew your leg back together. If the muscles have died, we’ll have to amputate your leg.”

Jessica thought for a moment and said, “Whatever you have to do, do it.”

Pushing Forward with a Purpose

The first surgery went well. For three days, she stared at her bandaged leg, wondering how different her life would be if she lost her leg. The reality scared her. Not so much for herself, but for her son.

Just before she was wheeled back for her second surgery, Jessica spent time talking to and praying with her young son. She gained strength from his encouraging words to fight. She promised him, “Life will knock you and I down hard. No matter what, you and I will be okay.”

A few days after her second surgery, Jessica’s doctor asked her to try to wiggle her toes, for this would determine if the muscles had regained needed oxygen. It didn’t happen immediately, but she was finally able to wiggle her toes. Relief washed over her as she knew she would get to keep her leg.

Determined to Run

Months of physical therapy have strengthened Jessica’s left leg and brought back the seeds of determination to run a marathon. In October of 2012, just months after her surgeries, she decided to begin training again. She is still experiencing numbness in her leg, but she pushes past it to reach the goal she set for herself to lose weight and get healthy. Her ultimate goal is to run a half marathon in 2013 and a full one in 2014.

Jessica’s attitude of overcoming is based in her faith. She says, “Have faith that no matter what happens, God always has a plan. His plan is always better than you thought it would be. God will take care of  you.”

Share with me: When life deals you an unexpected struggle, what is your first reaction?