I have a little bit of time on my hands. And I have a story to tell. So what better time to bring some life back into my blog!!
Those who know me, know that I am, without fail, the klutziest person in the entire world. My friends have given me a uniform of bubble wrap, steel toe boots, leather gloves and a hard hat just to protect myself from...well...myself. That being said...other than that one time I had to get a few hundred stitches in my leg, and breaking every toe...I have been extraordinarily lucky on the injury front.
Until now.
I suppose you could say I was due.
I will also add, the above mentioned uniform would likely have done little to actually prevent this injury from happening.
So many of you know, a little over a year ago, my Business Partner (BP) and I started a remodeling company. And what started out as something that was supposed to be part time for both of us, soon grew into a full time plus job. And we love it. And we have big plans. One of those plans is to start a Not-For-Profit Paint Recycling Company. It's a grass roots thing...and it's very new. So one of the ways we wanted to start getting the word out was to hand out fliers. And that task fell to me. I went out last Monday and handed out 106...and I was excited and energized. So Tuesday, I took a stack with me, and proceeded to hand out more. By the time I reached 80 fliers...I was stoked! The neighborhood was huge, and I was going to need more fliers to finish. Nevermind the fact that it was starting to snow. Or that I had skated up to a couple of houses. I was determined!!
Maybe a little too determined.
At the front porch of my 114th house, I went to step off the porch...a step of 6 inches...hit a patch of ice...feet flew up in the air, and I landed hard. And something was definitely wrong. I had never broken a bone before...but I was fairly certain that's what I had just done to my left ankle.
I was a mile from my car. And I was alone.
So I grab my phone and call the BP and tell him what happens. He asks if I can make it to my car, and I told him that was a definite "no." I try to tell him where I'm at...but I'm guessing shock was setting in, and I was barely able to talk. Let alone give directions. So he gets in the car and heads my way. And I finally had a light bulb moment to use the map on my phone to at least be able to give him a street name. And he finally finds me. SF (our employee) literally picks me up off the front porch (I'm actually really grateful the homeowners weren't home...because I probably would have died of embarrassment) and gets me in the car. We make it back to headquarters...and they finally see my leg. And yeah...there's definitely something wrong with it. I won't give you too many details because if you're squeemish like me...you won't appreciate it. Let's just say...it was obvious something was no longer keeping my foot attached to the rest of my leg. And it was swollen.
So back in the car we go off to the ER. Wheelchair was procured. Paperwork filled out. And the long afternoon of waiting began.
And waiting...
And waiting...
And waiting...
Waiting...with a broken ankle...is torture.
Waiting...with a broken ankle...on painkillers...slightly more tolerable.
X-Rays were taken...and confirmed what everyone already knew. I had broken my ankle in 3 places...and every bone that makes up your ankle was out of place.
When I do something, I do it REALLY well :)
More painkillers were dispensed. And the PA I saw (who was the only not so awesome person I have dealt with at Anderson Hospital) set my ankle. Ouchie.
Even more painkillers were dispensed.
And then I got to go home. The BP and good friend C came to retrieve me from the hospital and get me settled back at HQ. And as she was taking the polish off my toes that night (to make sure they weren't turning blue) she told me that if I wanted a girls night to do each others nails, all I had to do was ask...I didn't need to go to such extreme measures.
I'll keep that in mind :)
So a couple of days later, I got to see my Orthopedic Surgeon...who I had heard good things about. He confirmed the need for surgery, and went over what he'd be doing. And how I should be keeping my foot up most of the time to reduce swelling. It was at this point, he realized my foot was down, so, sitting across from me, he picks up my foot and puts it in his lap. He kinda won me over with that. He was totally relaxed about the whole situation. Even though I had done a lot of damage to my ankle, it wasn't anything atypical for him. And the prognosis is very good for a full recovery. And best of all, he wants to get me back up and going as soon as possible because every week I don't walk on my foot, adds another week to recovery.
Nevermind the permanent hardware my ankle will be sporting for the rest of my life.
So I have the ridiculously long conversations you're forced to have before you have surgery. I promise not to eat anything after midnight (UGH!!) and I'm all set.
So...surgery morning...I talk to the parents...who are in Florida and going nuts because they aren't here to take care of me through the whole situation and reassure them that I'm ok and I'm calm. And I'm off to the hospital.
I get dropped off. I head in. And I'm chilling in Pre-Op...just watching a little TV. And Pastor Steve and family (who are the next best thing to having my parents there) get there before I head into surgery. We're laughing...and one of the nurses comes in and tells us we are clearly having too much fun. I'm totally ok with being THAT patient :)
I met with the Anesthetist...and tell him that I don't wake up well from anesthesia...and he kinda blows me off...which is a little frustrating. Because if a normal person is groggy after surgery, I'm 100 times worse. But then my Dr. comes in to mark my leg (like it's not blatantly obvious which one he needs to work on) and he asks about my convo with the Anesthetist. I tell him. He looks at me, and tells me not to worry, he'll take care of it. Seriously...this guy is awesome. And he agrees to call the parents in Florida after surgery to ease their fears.
The next thing I know, I'm woken up from a weird dream, and I'm in recovery. In a lot of pain. And can't see crap because I had no contacts in. But one of the girls I grew up with was a nurse in recovery and came over to say hi, and see if that really was me. Then it was on to post-op. I was excited that it was only a little after 4, and would be going home within the hour. So my ride comes, and C with balloons. Instructions were given. And I was off!!
Woohoo!! Nap time!! And then a little food. And more napping!!
So surgery apparently went very well. According to the awesome Dr. my bones are young and healthy and went back together very well. Not that that is any reason I plan on ever doing this ever again. Because I don't.
Broken bones SUCK!!
So now, a week later...I am doing well. I'm still on painkillers because this is not a low pain injury to recover from...and overall I'm doing quite well. I have moments that really stink and a lot of pain to go with it...but I'm managing. I've also learned a few things over the past week:
1) Broken bones suck. (Have I mentioned that yet?)
2) I'm stubborn (ok, I already knew that) and sometimes I try to do more than I should. I get yelled at when I do.
3) Relying on other people for something as simple as getting a glass of water, or carrying my dinner plate is frustrating.
4) I miss showering. I stopped taking a bath when I was a little kid, and I haven't gone back. And I miss it dearly.
5) Broken bones suck.
6) 40 minutes is about as long as I can go relaxing. And I'm looking at at least 5 more weeks of this. I'm going stir craaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy.
7) Broken bones really suck. And so do casts. And so do crutches.
8) I am really trying to have a positive attitude through this whole process. And I'm looking forward to healing enough that I can be more active again.
9) Cute pictures of children that I love and animals put a huge smile on my face (hint, hint...if you have one of those kids and/or pets)
10) I NEVER EVER, EVER WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN!!
So there you have it. The klutzy girl finally breaks a bone. I truly appreciate all of the help that I have been given. And everyone checking up on me, wishing me well, and saying a prayer for everyone involved. I couldn't do this without you!!
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