Enrique's Movement Journey

As a family doctor, I have a front-row seat to inspiration. My patients share their stories and lives. They share their journeys with me. Overcoming addiction, disease, pain, unhealthy work and family situations, etc.

My gratitude to all of those who I get to work with as their doctor. If you are reading this blog as one of my patients, this is your doc saying thank you. (Will give you a hug when I see you next).

I will share one of those stories today with you. Enrique is a great guy, a great father. But he recently had a health crisis, one that reminded him that he needed to turn more of his attention to his own health.

I will let Enrique tell you the rest…

Movement

It started as a need. I was dying. I had just been discharged from the ICU. I had suffered from a bout of diabetic ketoacidosis, and my blood sugar reading when I was admitted to the hospital was 415, and I was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes. I needed to change my diet and my activity level, but I was afraid I wouldn't have time between a very demanding work schedule and my aching body it seemed impossible to effect any meaningful change. Some major life events were going to quickly free up my time and motivate me in ways I hadn't considered.

The first event was getting laid off from work a week and a half after being in the hospital. I suddenly had more time than I knew what to do with. I could now begin to walk in the Bosque every day. I started just doing three quarters of a mile a day and eventually worked my way up to 3 miles a day within about a month and a half. I was starting to move in ways I hadn't been able to since my 20s. I was feeling good, and I was managing my diet well. My doctor was very pleased with my progress.

The second event happened about three months into my movement journey. My wife of 21 years decided that she wanted a divorce. It was an unexpected and soul crushing development. I was overwhelmed with despair and pain.  At the time, I was walking about 4 miles per day.

As I was working through the grief of separation, I noticed that when I was moving, the internal pain and angst I was experiencing was lessened. Movement provided me with a safe space every day, if only for a brief moment. I started to walk more and was soon averaging 5 to 6 miles per day.

Today, it has been over 9 months since my type-2 diabetes diagnosis and 6 months since separating from my ex-wife. I am averaging 7.25 to 9 miles per day with about 50 to 55 total miles per week. I have lost 50 pounds and am as strong as I've ever felt in my adult life. My blood glucose is now completely managed through diet and exercise.

Unexpectedly, movement has become the chief activator of healing in my life. Physically, mentally, and spiritually, I have come to rely on movement to place me in a position to learn, grow, and connect with myself and the world around me.

Movement is as important to me today as breathing. My life and my spirit are abundant with happiness and joy. I can’t imagine where I would be if I hadn’t had the good fortune to be able to experience the life events that drove me to movement. I am truly blessed and grateful for the life I have been allowed to live today.

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My brother Enrique, thank you for sharing with me and giving me permission to share with others. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your journey. 

I trust that your words will inspire others who need to take those courageous, intimidating first steps toward their own healing. #writingtoheal

Enrique now sees his doc on a monthly basis. The "visits" are done while walking a few miles at beautiful places and open spaces. The medicine is in the movement. This pic came from our last "visit", Los Poblanos Open Space. Shout out to the sunflowers that allowed us to pose with them.