My introduction to Dr. Larson is rather unique as I’m not a runner nor do I compete in major athletic events. However, one of my hobbies is running agility with my Great Dane, Tess.
After two years of training, we were finally ready for our first competitive Agility Trial. It was November 2014, the weekend before Thanksgiving.
Honestly, it was the perfect set up – our home course with my instructor at my side and our breeder videotaping my first run. After walking the course and waiting our turn, it was finally time. Wait, wait, wait for the buzzer. Bzzzz…and we were off… Tess was over the first jump, and heading for the dog walk when she realized I wasn’t running next to her. I had tripped right out of the start gate. How embarrassing, I thought, as a hundred people were watching. I got myself up, and hobbled along the dog walk then realized something was really wrong. I had to be carried off the course and I almost passed out from the pain.
Three weeks later, I found myself sitting in Dr. Larson’s office as he explained that my hamstring had torn off the bone and surgery was inevitable. I was pretty determined that I could live without the surgery, but Dr. Larson helped me realize that there was no realistic reason not to have the surgery. My fears dissipated as he explained that even with my immobilizer, I could be driving within weeks, hobbling around on crutches for about a month and starting physical therapy within six weeks. Dr. Larson had to squeeze me into his surgery schedule at the last minute, as the time sensitivity of hamstring repair is so imperative. That was Dec 16, 2014.
I graduated from physical therapy in Jan. 2016, thanks to Ashley at Viverant who built my confidence as well as my hamstring muscle. In February, 2016, fourteen months post-?surgery, I ran in my first competitive Agility Trial! I was so nervous, but I didn’t fall! There was a huge standing ovation when we finished!
I shed tears of joy and gratitude and I am “back to normal!”
Thank you, Dr. Larson.
