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as told by Flannery Cerbin
As high school seniors often are, I was running in many directions during the spring of my graduation year. I was running around preparing for commencement, running to make college arrangements and, most importantly, I was running.
 For years, I have been a runner. At La Crosse Central High School I ran cross-country and track, competing in seven state meets. My senior year was going to be the climax. Ranked second in the state for the 800-meter dash, I was hoping to break records.
During the week of regionals and sectionals, I qualified for the 2005 state meet in the 4x800-meter relay and the individual 800-meter. Then I felt it – a pain in my left quad. I ignored it until finally, the day after regionals, I saw Dr. Scott Escher at Gundersen Lutheran Sports Medicine. He determined I had a rare femoral stress fracture. If I kept running, I faced the risk of a complete break.
In came the crutches and out went the dreams. I would miss the state meet, let down the other members of my team, disappoint the school and mar Central’s legacy. Most importantly, I would disappoint myself and wonder what might have been.
Tears came easily and decisions difficult. If I took the risk, I could face never running competitively again. My coaches, always optimistic, encouraged me to run. My parents said don’t. The doctors did not recommend it. My legs were swept out from under me. I was confused and scared, but driven and determined.
I would run only in the relay at sectionals and state, I decided, if just to save my sanity. I could give up the 800-meter but I couldn’t disappoint my team.
Dr. Escher called my coaches, e-mailed my parents and remained in contact through it all. Physical therapist Scott Straker, who was also treating me, put in extra hours, watched me at regionals and sectionals and also stayed in close contact with my family.
My team’s sectional win brought both doctors, in addition to my family, friends and most of Central High School, to the state meet. I’d been on crutches since the day after regionals. I’d set them down only to walk onto the track and run the relay. When we crossed the finish line and received our third-place finish, Dr. Escher and Scott Straker were there, supporting me as always and handing me my crutches.
I realize now I was supported by more than my legs. I was supported by family, friends, the community and two wonderful Gundersen Lutheran healthcare professionals. They are all my legs. |