Shot in the dark and you’re to blame…..

…..you give love, a bad name.   Wait!

That’s Bon Jovi’s song. Sorry.

If you’ve ever heard that song, you know it’s one heck of an adrenaline-rush, heart pounding song, right? www.bonjovi.com/bonjovi/

That’s what it felt like, at least a little, this morning at Dr. Curtis Wagner’s office. www.floridafootdocs.com/gpage2.html

I had been praying hard for wisdom and guidance, in the days leading up to today. In my gut, I felt it was inevitable.

A shot!

A cortisone shot.

Yikes. Right?

Not really.

I know people who think they’d rather die than have to endure a cortisone shot. And did I mention, in my left heel?

Dude, seriously, in my freakin’ heel. Are ya with me?

Dr. Wagner was incredibly patient and wise. He let me talk it through (my concerns – pros & cons), and, we’ve also established mutual respect and trust; critical decision-making foundation.

So we agreed. Shot. It’s the “gold standard” for eliminating the pain.

So Dr. Wagner gets the needle and I hear, “Shot in the dark, and you’re to blame, you give love a bad name…….” Screaming guitar. Pounding drums. Thundering bass.

But it’s actually not Bon Jovi. It’s a song I’m visualizing in my head. It’s a Mid-Life Celebration song, just for me.

Why?

Because it’s a gutsy move. The right move. For the right reasons.

As I’ve said before in another Jeff Noel blog, the pain of regret is far greater than any pain of sacrifice or hardship.

Dr. Wagner s exceptionally talented and his bed-side manner is one of supreme confidence. Ever wonder why some people are called professionals. Dr. Wagner is like a poster-child for why.

It’s over in about 10-12 seconds. I give a half-hearted, “Yeeeee-haaaaa…..”, at the peak of the pain, which lasted maybe 2-3 seconds. Then it’s over. Pain vanished.

Come Monday or Tuesday, start light jogging, maybe two miles per day and by this time next week, should be back on track and better than ever.

Lane 8, here I come.

I hope you understand what this is all about. For those just joining, you’re curiosity will lead you to reading more so you can see where this incredible, and mostly impossible, goal is heading.

Make today a day like no other. Make it the best day of your life. Because if you don’t, who will? Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

PS. I’m Jeff Noel, the Fortune 100 Transformational Speaker who has applied Disney’s teachings and key Disney strategies and tactics to overcoming high cholesterol. Now I’m heading to the 2009 Masters Track & Field World Championships.

Dr Curtis Wagner, thank you!

I met with Dr Curtis Wagner of Foot and Ankle Associates of Florida – www.floridafootdocs.com/gpage2.html – for a checkup this morning.

My left heel had me concerned enough that I prayed long and hard last night for wisdom and guidance.

What I discerned was that I was willing to surrender and accept whatever consequences where revealed from this morning’s visit.

Of course, after a decade on this journey to battle high cholesterol, and working so long and so hard, that my running became an extraordinary “story”, the last thing on my mind was stopping.

I finally found my resolve and was content to go to sleep.

When Dr Wagner came into the exam room, I told him, “I surrender to your verdict.” It was humbling.

I could sense his belief in my sincerity. This too, was quite humbling.

He said, “Don’t stop training yet. Keep up your stretching, ice, and night-splint. Take one 200mg Celebrex capsual each day for 30 days. See me in two weeks.”

I can only begin to tell you that whatever is in store as this unusaul journey unfolds, I am willing to accept it and use it to bring honor and glory to God.

Use me as your instrument. Give me courage and wisdom to remain humble and discerning.

Good night.