After a bleh few days between Christmas and New Year's Day, I woke up on January 2 full of energy. By 7:30, I was ready to go, with clutter picked up, laundry in, cat in carrier, and car moved out front for trip to the vet ~ and I slipped and tumbled down our six or so concrete steps, landing in a bizarre position in the snow. The cat and I sat there for awhile, she meowing and me dazed and wondering what and how to do next. I managed to creep to the car and get us in, thinking that with the damage all on my left side, I could still go to the vet's. I pulled into the street and quickly realized that the level of pain I was experiencing precluded any such goal.
Thank God for cell phones! A couple of hours later a friend had gotten me to an orthopedic surgeon, and Friday I had surgery for my broken ankle. No weight bearing allowed, for perhaps as long as a month. A 3:00 a.m. hour of pain this morning so severe that I thought we might have to call an ambulance to take me back to the hospital. (And yes: I have a nerve block dripping continuously into my leg, plus Vicodin, plus Advil, and when the anesthesiologist calls today, I am going to have to ask her how long I can double the dosages.)
I have no idea yet what I am going to do about church, where I am not this morning, or my college teaching, which theoretically starts a week from tomorrow, or my many months anticipated week-long retreat at Georgetown University, planned for the first week of February. I have no idea how I am going to wash my hair this week!
But my mind is clearing, so perhaps I'll start writing again.
Praying for all the support and cooperation you need to get through this!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha!
DeleteOh, Robin! Last year at this time, I was struggling to do anything, having shattered my shoulder on December 6th. Right shoulder, at that, and I'm right-handed. During those weeks, if I hadn't had a roommate willing to come help me when I yelled from my room to wake her up, I don't know what I'd have done. I couldn't even push/pull myself to a sitting position without help and had to assure her to keep pulling my hand even when it hurt me. I'd tell her, "Pull me through it!"
ReplyDeleteFor washing your hair, you may be able to get temporary home-health help. Usually they are for more permanent situations, but my doctor ordered it for me because I couldn't bathe myself. As soon as possible, I was back on my own, but it was SO helpful for the days I really needed it.
My friends took turns coming to "babysit" me, especially when my roommate was at work. She would leave the door unlocked, since I couldn't get up to answer the door. Once, when I was alone in the apartment, I called a neighbor to come get me something out of the refrigerator in the other room, and she sent her middle-school-aged son to do it. If I lived nearby, I'd help you.
I'll be praying for you and hoping you have someone who can occasionally help you the way my roommate and friends and neighbors helped me.
Thanks, Bonnie. I managed to wash my hair in the kitchen sink and take a sponge bath last night. Baby hops.
DeleteBest wishes to you. It looks like another opportunity for you to show off your knack for adapting to the unexpected, which is frankly inspirational for those of us who don't cope very well.
ReplyDeleteAlso, that's some nice nail polish!
Ah . . . think about the Arctic tern (next post)!
DeleteI attempted a "running start" at 2014 a couple of weeks ago, and now a broken rib has dashed all goals and expectations. I'll recover much quicker than a broken ankle, but all the same, I'll be rooting that your misadventure makes something special occur -- and that you get well fast!
ReplyDeleteHope it heals very quickly!
DeleteSo sorry to hear about this bad break, Robin. Prayers for healing are with you.
ReplyDeleteOrthopaedic sugery involving bones are always the most painful. Keep up with the pain meds 'til you can wean yourself off. It's a long, slow process but honor it.
Missing MVP!
ReplyDeleteHi My name is Bruno Rico' just want to share my experience with the world on how i got my love back and saved my marriage... I was married for 7years with 2kids and we lived happily until things started getting ugly and we had fights and arguments almost every time... it got worse at a point that she filed for divorce... I tried my best to make her change her mind & stay with me cause i loved her with all my heart and didn't want to loose her but everything just didn't work out... she moved out of the house and still went ahead to file for divorce... I pleaded and tried everything but still nothing worked. The breakthrough came when someone introduced me to this wonderful, great spell caster who eventually helped me out... I have never been a fan of things like this but just decided to try reluctantly cause I was desperate and left with no choice... He did special prayers and used roots and herbs... Within 7 days she called me and was sorry for all the emotional trauma she had cost me, moved back to the house and we continue to live happily, the kids are happy too and we are expecting our third child. I have introduced him to a lot of couples with problems across the world and they have had good news... Just thought I should share my experience cause I strongly believe someone out there need's it... You can email him via eromosalelovespell@outlook.com Don't give up just yet, the different between 'Ordinary' & 'Extra-Ordinary' is the 'Extra' so make extra effort to save your marriage/relationship if it's truly worth it. you can also call (Dr Eromosale) on +2347034673139.
ReplyDelete