Okay, I’m on crutches. I’ve managed to twist my ankle pretty good, or pretty bad, as the case may be. Good news, x-rays say it’s not broken. Bad news, that means it’s probably soft tissue damage, which from experience I know takes much longer to heal. Though, I am really glad it’s not broken. Been there, done that, didn’t want the t-shirt.
The ankle is wrapped, and I’ve found a flat shoe to go over it, and on the other foot so I’m even. I switched immediately to a back-pack, so I can wear and carry better. Yesterday I was a little awkward but it’s coming back to me today. I will admit that the last time I had to do this I was stronger upper body wise, and I can tell the difference. I’ll look at it as a few days of upper body workout, every time I want to move anywhere. They gave me pain meds, but they, of course, make me muzzy headed and sleepy, so I haven’t taken them this morning. I have a book to finish, and muzzy headed doesn’t get that done. I’ve taken some Tylenol to get the edge off, and we’ll see how it goes. Frankly, unlike the broken leg, or the torn quadracept, I can walk on this injury. It hurts, and by the end of the day it really hurts, but it holds my weight. I think the main reason the doc made me get crutches was that he saw what I was doing. I can walk on it; I’m fine. If I was a D & D character my intelligence score would be higher than my wisdom score. Oh, yeah.
This morning I got up, looked for the flat shoes, a shirt that had long enough sleeves that it covers the area that will touch the upper part of the crutches, and my Harley riding gloves. They are padded on the palms, and have the finger tips open, so they’re great at protecting my hands, and hopefully will keep them from getting sore. And, yes, I do know that open fingertips are not protection if you’re riding the motorcycle and you have an accident, but it’s hot in St. Louis, and besides, I don’t ride. Why do I have the gloves? Because we bought boots for me and Jon, and the gloves were there, and they were cool. Leather, hmmm. But, what I thought was an indulgence, the gloves, are now really, really helpful. I’d forgotten how quickly my hands start to hurt on crutches. Riding gloves, or exercise gloves for weight lifting are good for that little extra padding.
The thing that got me this morning was how quickly I made my list, checked it twice, and knew what I needed to be good for the day. It was irritating and tedious, but oddly familiar. Anita is ahead of me on injuries that bleed, but on injuries that make you limp, I’m ahead by a wide margin. The doc is sending me to a specialist, because he feels that the pain is too much for a simple ankle twist. Lucky me.
I’ll keep you posted. I’m off to see if I can get tea in a cup and make it back to my desk without spilling anything. The last time I had crutches I was a soda drinker. They come in cans and bottles, which you can simply not open until you are safely sitting down. Hot tea, full cup, crutches . . . It’s either going to be funny, pitiful, or miraculous. The miracle would be me not spilling anything. Well, I’m off to get tea. Wish me good luck.
And, yes, Jon would come and get me tea, if I asked. So, why not ask? Because I’m stubborn, and I want to see if I can do it myself. Like I said, my wisdom score needs work. True peace lies in knowing yourself; even the parts that make you shake your own head at your own damn self.