Dear Tif and Jon,
I don't understand it! There weren't any tree roots which is what usually makes me fall. I wasn't outdoors. What the heck!
Last night I was putting books back on the top shelf of the bookcase where Dad had secured our new TV in case of an earthquake. I was standing on a chair. (Dad said I should mention the fact that there was a step stool I could have used right behind me.) I don't know what happened next exactly but as I was coming down I fell and twisted my right foot. Like I said, no tree roots, no rocks but somehow I managed to fall anyway.
Almost immediately, a big lump began to form on top of my foot. Dad iced it but I couldn't put any pressure on it without excruciating pain so we decided to go to the Tripler Emergency Room. Remember when Dad had to go there a couple of years ago and we went in there at 4:00 PM and came out at 3:00 AM?
"Don't worry," I told Dad, "I'll be fine. They'll probably tell me I just stressed it and send me home. It doesn't even hurt anymore."
We arrived at Tripler Army Hospital at 6:50 and checked in. Dad brought books for both of us to read and we figured we'd be in the waiting room all night since there were no parking spaces when we arrived.
At 8:00, X-rays were taken by a corpsman that Dad and I both agreed reminded us of Cuba Gooding Jr. He kept up a hilarious running banter the entire time. He also nearly made me scream (not with laughter) when he manipulated my foot to get a better angle. I asked for the lead protective apron since I've had thyroid cancer. "You've had cancer? Well...isn't radiation supposed to cure cancer?" he asked with a smile. "You're not pregnant are you?" I really liked this guy.
At around 8:45 I was in the examining room where the doctor said he had good news and bad news. The bad news was that the 5th metatarsal bone was fractured. The good news was that it was not displaced.
My foot is broken? How can that be? I've never broken a bone before. That's Jon's department. What about the 3 extra weeks of line dancing I just signed up for this month? I'm supposed to register for the next 10 week session of line dancing starting in mid June. Arrrrghhhhh!
Because I've got osteopenia, healing may be a bit slower; more like 8+ weeks rather than 6, the doctor added.
A splint was moulded onto my foot, I was given Vicodin for pain, given lessons on how to use crutches (NOT easy) and out the door by 10:00 PM! Incredible!
Did I mention that your grandmother is totally freaking out? She's acting like I've somehow been hit by a bus, contracted deadly swine flu and needing to be bed ridden for the rest of my life. Sheesh!
I'm not allowed to put any weight on my foot and I'm discovering how difficult it is to manage what I've taken for granted. I now have an even greater respect for people who are handicapped. You don't realize just how lucky you are until you can't do something.
I have to keep my foot iced and elevated until tomorrow. I think I'll go to sleep now. The Vicodin is making me very groggy. I refuse to take it anymore.
I'll be better by Monday. I have to go sign up for that line dancing class.
Well, kids and all my blogging buddies...
I love you all.
Be very careful where you step.
Mom/Kay
Oh, Kay. Oh ow!! I hope you're feeling better quickly and the healing goes well.
ReplyDeleteYou're so lucky to have Art caring for you so well, and your mother worrying over you. I hope you enjoy the rest this will give you, too! Take good care of yourself--
You poor girl!
ReplyDeletePlease feel better...aloha, Kay
osteopenia? what the heck is that? i looked it up in Websters dictionary and it is not listed.
ReplyDeletetake care of that foot and listen to the doc. My daughter didn't and so she still has pain in her foot when she stands or walks.
good thing your vacations are over for the time...it's amazing how fast things like that can happen. Remember Mare and her foot thing. So now you have an excuse to blog more...must be a challenge living on the second floor with crutches. Take care, smile and find humor in your situation that's the only solution.
ReplyDeleteSo so sorry! Isn't it amazing how quickly our lives can change - for better or worse.
ReplyDeleteI had to use crutches once - only I never did learn how. Just couldn't get the hang of it. I hopped.
Hope the pain is not too bad and you're back on both feet soon.
I must apologize first, because I laughed, several times, as I was reading your post. Second, for the pile of stuff on the bed and you with the Toshiba ready to do your beck and call. What a nice bunch of photos.
ReplyDeleteSure I am sorry for your broken foot bone. I hope it doesn't hurt you much. That pain killer they gave you makes me sick. It is also addictive. LOL
Take care.
Oh, Kay, I'm so sorry! What a pain in the -- foot! Hope it heals quickly so you can be up and line dancing soon! I'll watch my step, too. Have a good weekend -- pain free, I hope!
ReplyDeleteOh no, Kaaaaaaaaaaay!!! I'm ever, every so sorry you've taken a tumble. Silver lining I suppose is that it happened after your vacation. Wow, here's wishing you a speedy recovery my dear blogging buddy.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Kay! I am very sorry to read your fall. Did it happen so fast that you couldn't believe that it happened, like my fall did? I can surely empathize with the inconveniences that will come with it. Your computer, books, crossword puzzles, and the phone will be your best friends. The TV, too.
ReplyDeleteI hope it heals fast.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
So very sorry to read of your misfortune. Thank goodness your vacation has been taken but guess the line-dancing will have to be "suspended" for the time being. I see you are using the bed you and Art carefully refinished. I bet that wasn't its original intent! Take good care (sounds like you have a great nursing staff on hand) and soon you will be kicking up your heels!
ReplyDeleteP.S. How great is it that you just purchased a new tv??
ReplyDeleteOh, no! I go away for a day and look what happens! I'm very sorry.
ReplyDeleteI rolled my ankle by missing a last step a bunch of years ago. I had to use crutches until I got a walking cast. I was dangerous to myself and others, so at work (school) I borrowed a wheel chair to get around for a week. It freaked out a few of my colleagues, but it worked. Then the hardest part was keeping my cast dry in the shower.
Good luck. You have to get healed up before your kids come.
Poor Kay, you didn't need that!!
ReplyDeleteWell, make the most of it, lounging in bed with your laptop, etc.
How do you do stairs with crutches?
Hope you'll be all better in time for the July visit.
How long will that big splint thing stay on?
Oh Kay, what rotten luck. As an experienced crutches user (two broken ankles, two bad sprains in the last five years) can I make two suggestions. Firstly, get a pair of fingerless cycling gloves - your hands will get very sore using the crutches and the gloves are wonderful. Secondly, get into the habit of carrying a backpack/small rucksack around with you. it's great for carrying stuff, putting a picnic lunch in etc. I found it invaluable for retaining my independence - you can even carry on making cups of tea by putting it in a flask and carrying it into the lounge like that. You can also buy special plastic totally waterproof covers for your cast so that you can carry on having baths and showers.
ReplyDeleteSusan: Thank you, Susan. Art is really a fabulous nurse. I'm learning to take care of myself better now. I felt a loss of dignity for a while there which is silly considering we've been married for 36 years.
ReplyDeleteCloudia: Thanks, Cloudia. I'm trying.
Gigi: Osteopenia is pre-osteoporosis. Thank you for the warning about you daughter. I'll try to be careful and not rush things although it's awfully difficult.
Lin: I'm trying to find humor in this but it's getting rather tiresome now. The 4 walls around me today felt like a cage.
Denise: True, true! I sprained my ankle when we were in New Zealand several years ago and it was no fun hobbling about.
Mare: Yes! Yes! Yes! I do know exactly what you mean now. One minute I was fine and the next, kaplooey! You're right about the computer, books, crosswords, and hulu.com. I love hulu.com!
Cheryl: I've heard from friends who did break bones on trips. I'm thankful it didn't happen when we were in the Pacific Northwest.
Linda: You know what, Linda? I wouldn't mind a wheelchair around now. My hands hurt and I'm not enjoying those crutches one bit.
Bobbie: Thanks, Bobbie. It does take some doing to get used to the crutches. I had to adjust it several times before finding the right height for me.
Abe: I really like your profile photo, Abe. It made me happy that you were able to laugh after reading my post. I hope I can keep laughing tomorrow. One more day of icing and elevation.
The vicodin made me nauseous, too. I just watched House who is addicted to vicodin so I'm not taking another one of those pills.
Sylvia: My mom and Art thinks I'm crazy to sign up for line dancing again but I'm really hoping I'll be better in 6 weeks.
Dina: I actually tried going up a couple of steps with the crutches. You really can't and shouldn't. I go up and down on my behind. I believe I have to wear some kind of foot gear for 6-8 weeks providing everything goes well.
Amanda: Excellent, very helpful suggestions! I happened to have my bike riding gloves from our Holland biking trip which I thought I'd NEVER use again. They work perfectly! You're right. My hands were really starting to hurt. I'm actually able to remove the splint for very short periods to take a bath and to ice. Thanks so much!
What a darned shame you injured your foot, Kay. Hope it heals quickly, but I suspect you won't be slowed down in the meantime.
ReplyDeleteOh geeze... not good. Bummer and you are even smiling in that photo! I think I would be crying... heh.
ReplyDeleteYou are a brave woman, hang in there... the weeks will go fast!!
Hug♥
Kay Kay Kay...oh my gosh!
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about your foot, we now have something new in common.
When I broke my ankle, I found out that I was allergic to vicodin and it was really painful until some of the swelling went down!
Crutches are a pain, but they sure do help. Thank God you have Art and your Mom to help you!
Jean: I am having to be slowed down quite a bit, I'm afraid because I have to keep icing my foot until this evening. Maybe tomorrow will be better. It better be.
ReplyDeleteMichele: I guess I'm just grateful that my foot should be healed just before the entire family comes in mid July.
Peggy: I discovered that vicodin also causes constipation. I'm not taking it any more. It's amazing how many of us have suffered a broken foot. I'm just hoping I don't have the problems you did with it healing.
Happy healing. You have the right attitude and a couple of caring attendants; you'll be dancing again in no time.
ReplyDeleteI thought maybe you'd be confined to the upstairs, but looks like you have the stairs handled. As for the grips on the crutches, I use to fold hand towels and wrap them around the handle to cushion my hands. On the bright side, at least you didn't do this in the mid summer when it's unbearably hot and muggy; and wait! when the itching starts (and it will) do NOT think using a clothes hanger down the cast will ease your itch.
ReplyDeleteTake care Kay!
PS. your nephew must have the same "luck" genes as you...his car that he's had a whole what? 2 weeks is no longer...
Amazing...you even look happy in a splint and on crutches! :-) Guess you're going to get real used to them in the next two months. Take care!!
ReplyDeleteJo: Thanks, Jo. They do say attitude is a big part of healing. I'm trying my best...
ReplyDeleteNancy: Luckily, I don't have a full cast on. It's like half a cast which they call a splint and wrapped with elastic bandage. It keeps things stiff but I can take it off to take a bath. Niiiice. However, when it's off and I turn the wrong way... owwwwww!
As for that nephew of mine. Sigh... I could do a whole blog about his misfortune with that car he's had for 2 weeks. I'll spare him that though. Guys and cars...sigh....
Carla: I always smile for the camera no matter how I'm feeling. I try anyway. To be honest I look 20 years older when I don't and I'm vain enough that I don't want anybody to see that.
Kay, you poor thing! I broke my foot in 8 places and that was no fun! It hurts like the devil!! You make sure you stay off it and take your time getting back on it. Healing vibes coming your way! You look so comfy on you new bed in the guest room!!
ReplyDeleteOh no Kay!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so sorry about this..8 weeks is a long time to be 'challenged' with crutches and a cast. No..I don't think you will be line dancing.. I hope the pain meds really work for you....healing hugs...Michelle
ReplyDeleteSherri: EIGHT places??? Holy Hannah! Breaking this one bone hurt like the dickens. I can't even imagine what breaking 8 bones would have been like. Yikes! Are you all healed now?
ReplyDeleteMichelle: I was going to sign up for the line dancing anyway, figuring I could do maybe the 2nd half of the 10 week lessons. Now that I'm researching healing times, I think you're right.
OH MY GOODNESS Kay! Wow! How horrible. You follow the doctor's orders to a "T". I have another friend who just broke her foot too. Now you will really have time to read blogs and books. Take it very easy and enjoy the pampering.
ReplyDeleteJill: The pampering and everything was great for 1 day. Now I'm getting antsy. You're right though, several people have told me about problems they'd had when they didn't take care.
ReplyDeleteKay, you poor thing. I know exactly how you feel. I have to say though, you look so cute in a cast, I know, not so funny, but really you do!
ReplyDeleteI feel for you, such a bad time to have an injury. One good thing is that your 6 or 8 weeks won't use up you summer as it would have in Illinois. You'll get better and summer will still be around for a long time to come!
Kay, that was beautifully written! An A+ story for a college writing class. I'm so sorry this happened but glad it isn't any worse. Frankly, I could spend a lotta hours in that bed, in that beautiful, beautiful bedroom, surrounded by a computer and books, with people bringing me food (and of course doing the cooking - all my choices!). Again, you really are a terrific writer, Kay.
ReplyDeleteSandy: That's true, Sandy. If I were still in Illinois, I might be feeling the pain more knowing spring and some of summer was slipping by. Looking cute in my splint? LOL Too bad they don't make them in different colors. :-)
ReplyDeleteNan: Awwww... Thanks, Nan! You've just lifted my spirits.
I understand your frustration. I had surgery on my right elbow last year and the cast was fixed so I couldn't touch my face. That made eating and brushing my teeth a little difficult. I live alone and I thought I was going to starve to death before I got that cast off.
ReplyDeleteOh Kay that is horrific - I hope you get well soon. See what happens I dont visit your blog for a couple of days and this happens. By the way you have great legs!! And is that the bed you did up? It looks fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLilly: Yup, that's the bed. Unfortunately it's a little high for me to climb up on. Thanks for the wonderful compliment. It sure gave me something to smile about.
ReplyDeleteOh, Kay. This is awful. I hope your foot is better by now.
ReplyDeleteI don't like the meds that make you groggy either. That is not a good feeling at all.
Wouldn't it be nice to be propped up in bed like that (with nothing to do) without being hurt? You look so cute all snuggled in there.