Thursday, January 15, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Break a Leg!
Well . . an ankle, that is. I am blogging about this because so many have asked me for details about it, and how it happened . . . and I am SO far behind in returning calls and answering emails . . . so this will save my vocal chords from wearing out and keep me from getting writer's cramp. These photos are pre-surgery. The post surgery photo is gorrier, but I will post it later. The blister on my foot is a "break" blister, because it was so swollen that the fluid has nowhere else to go. (Please excuse the untrimmed toenails and rough heels . . argh.) On Monday, December 29th, I was going up to deliver a paper at a porch. I have been very careful over the years on icey driveways, and I take baby steps all the way. I took a spill a few years back and ended up in bed unable to move for two days. So, I never again wanted that to happen.
I got up to the corner of the house where the raingutter drips down (always a terrible spot) and it was particularly dark that day. My feet slipped out from underneath me, and my head hit the concrete and popped it open in the back. (Head is okay, just lots of bleeding). My foot hit the brick on the corner of the house and snap! The pain took my breath away, but having had sprained ankles before, I was optimistic. My first thought was that of wondering if I was going to have to lay there in the cold until somebody found me. Once I stood up, I knew it was broken, because my food flopped to the side. Luckily I had ankle boots on, which held me all together . . because I have no idea how I made it back to the car.
Those that know me, know that I have this twisted devotion to my route and my customers (13 years on this route now, 19 years altogether) so I thought that if I could manage the pain, I would finish the driveway deliveries, and go get John to come help me do the porches. We did just that, then headed for home. When we got there, we quickly concluded that hopping to the porch was too painful, and so was crawling on my hands and knees. So . .I got on my stomach and crawled army-style all the way to the porch on the ice. (Can you imagine a passer by watching all this???) John needed to go check on a job, and I told him I would get showered and try to make an appointment to see Bryan, my nephew who is a foot & ankle doctor.
I think John was still convinced that it was just a sprain, but the xrays showed differently. The smaller leg bone was broken at the ankle, and there was a possible spiral break in the back (Bryan said this could be a bone spur . .it wasn't quite clear). Long story short, I had surgery the following Friday, and Bryan put me back together. He removed some bone, and patched me up with a metal plate and screws. This has been one of the most challenging times of my life. Its amazing how you can make one little mistake, and have it change everything. The pain is pretty bad, but I think the inconvenience that it has caused not just me, but my entire family is worse.
John has been a trooper, doing my route for me. This along with keeping up on his bishopric duties, working 10-12 hour days at his regular job, trying to be the father AND mother, housekeeper, grocery shopper & caretaker. All the while he is keeping the driveways plowed, the roof shoveled, and runs around trying to make arrangements for both of our wrecked cars to be fixed. Pretty amazing, don't you think? My worse day was yesterday by far, and if you want to know why . . . you'll have to speak to me privately. Anyways, thanks to all of you who have brought meals, called to show concern, and sent me get well texts and emails. I am so lucky to have such great family and friends who step up to the plate when times are tough. God bless you all!
I got up to the corner of the house where the raingutter drips down (always a terrible spot) and it was particularly dark that day. My feet slipped out from underneath me, and my head hit the concrete and popped it open in the back. (Head is okay, just lots of bleeding). My foot hit the brick on the corner of the house and snap! The pain took my breath away, but having had sprained ankles before, I was optimistic. My first thought was that of wondering if I was going to have to lay there in the cold until somebody found me. Once I stood up, I knew it was broken, because my food flopped to the side. Luckily I had ankle boots on, which held me all together . . because I have no idea how I made it back to the car.
Those that know me, know that I have this twisted devotion to my route and my customers (13 years on this route now, 19 years altogether) so I thought that if I could manage the pain, I would finish the driveway deliveries, and go get John to come help me do the porches. We did just that, then headed for home. When we got there, we quickly concluded that hopping to the porch was too painful, and so was crawling on my hands and knees. So . .I got on my stomach and crawled army-style all the way to the porch on the ice. (Can you imagine a passer by watching all this???) John needed to go check on a job, and I told him I would get showered and try to make an appointment to see Bryan, my nephew who is a foot & ankle doctor.
I think John was still convinced that it was just a sprain, but the xrays showed differently. The smaller leg bone was broken at the ankle, and there was a possible spiral break in the back (Bryan said this could be a bone spur . .it wasn't quite clear). Long story short, I had surgery the following Friday, and Bryan put me back together. He removed some bone, and patched me up with a metal plate and screws. This has been one of the most challenging times of my life. Its amazing how you can make one little mistake, and have it change everything. The pain is pretty bad, but I think the inconvenience that it has caused not just me, but my entire family is worse.
John has been a trooper, doing my route for me. This along with keeping up on his bishopric duties, working 10-12 hour days at his regular job, trying to be the father AND mother, housekeeper, grocery shopper & caretaker. All the while he is keeping the driveways plowed, the roof shoveled, and runs around trying to make arrangements for both of our wrecked cars to be fixed. Pretty amazing, don't you think? My worse day was yesterday by far, and if you want to know why . . . you'll have to speak to me privately. Anyways, thanks to all of you who have brought meals, called to show concern, and sent me get well texts and emails. I am so lucky to have such great family and friends who step up to the plate when times are tough. God bless you all!
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