Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 4 : Spring 2010 | Page 47

the best teams of doctors performing the transplant. Because I
was physically fit before the surgery, I bounced back quickly. I was
out of the hospital in record time- four days- and back in the gym
doing light exercise. I had to listen to my body and to my doctors
and go easy for the first month because the risk of a hernia was
high. The doctors suggested that I walk and so my family and I
walked to Broncos Games, Rockies Games, the new aquarium,
and shops all over the city. I returned to Aspen a month after my
transplant to begin my rehab. I eased back into strength work
and was back on my road bike about four and a half weeks postsurgery. Three weeks later, I began light abdominal strengthening
and a week after that I headed to Mt. Hood, Oregon, for my first
runs back on my snowboard. It was pretty special. I remember
being so excited to be back on snow and with my friends. I never
take a day of riding with my buddies or a single turn for granted
any longer.

I was back on the World Cup Circuit four months after my
surgery. Six months later, I stood atop the podium in Olang, Italy,
for the first time. That winter was one of my best seasons ever.
I attribute that to a new perspective on life and feeling lucky to
be doing what I love again after running the “Race for my Life.”
A year and a half later, I had the opportunity to represent the
United States in my second Olympic Games, where I won a Bronze
Medal in snowboarding and fulfilled a life-long dream.

NOW HIRING!

207 Development Dr
Limestone, ME 04750
207-328-4515

Reprinted with permission from the U.S. Department of Organ and
Tissue Donation and Transplant. 2010
Healthy You is a free community program from Cary Medical Center that
addresses your overall wellbeing including physical, mental, emotional,
social, and spiritual health. For program information or calendar of
events, log on to www.carymedicalcenter.org or call Cary Medical
Center’s Public Relations Department at 498-1361.

SPRING 2010 County Health 45