Ugh. Tough Spring

A few weeks ago, on our morning run, I heard a Very Loud Rumbling! What was it? Why, it was the road grader, scraping the hardpack off the roads in preparation for spring! They generally do that a few times every winter, to keep the roads in good shape. I know that after they do that, the roads are slick for a few days, so I wear either studded shoes or cleats over my regular running shoes for traction until the road roughens up again. But I was already out there and figured I'd just finish my run.

Bad idea.

I slipped and fell and twisted my left ankle really badly! So badly that I could not walk home. So I hobbled to the nearest neighbors, S and S. I figured they were working from home since he's a state geologist and she works for the school system. When I got to their house, only Mr. S was there. He invited me in to warm up, but I told him I was not fully vaccinated yet, and I was dressed warmly enough to wait outside. He told me in return that he had only just gotten his second shot the prior day, and was only home because he was feeling poorly due to that, and that Mrs. S had returned to work after getting her second shot! So I was very lucky indeed that he was home. Anyway, we called DL, and he came to pick me up. I'd sprained both ankles before, but this pain was worse, so I called MK, who is a nurse at the ER who has also had orthopedic injuries, to see whom she recommended I see. I called that doctor, and they were able to squeeze me into their schedule within a few hours.

They X-rayed me and found that I had fractured my left fibula. It was pretty gnarly and would need to be set and have a titanium plate put in so it would be aligned to heal. That was a Friday, and they scheduled the surgery for the following Monday.

That weekend, a record snowstorm came along, dumping two feet of snow into our yard. DL and I usually shovel our driveway by hand. OK fine DL usually shovels our driveway by hand. He has taken over the bulk of the shoveling since he's way stronger and faster. Anyway, this time the snow was both heavier and greater in quantity, and I was NOT gonna miss my surgery on Monday, so I put out an APB on our neighborhood Facebook Group. "I know it is Easter weekend, but would any of the neighborhood plowers be willing to plow our driveway as late as possible Sunday night? I broke my leg and really really really need to be able to get to my surgery Monday morning. We will pay extra for evening and Easter work." The response was very heartwarming. First, one of the neighborhood plow operators agreed to squeeze us into his already understandably packed schedule (remember, there was a snowstorm stil going even then). Then, incredibly, 4 other families offered to come by with snowblowers and shovels and clear the driveway with us just in case there was no other solution. I thought that was very kind of them! In the end, DL ended up hand-shoveling our driveway anyway (!!). He said, "There is only one sure thing, and I'm gonna go with the sure thing rather than wait until evening in case the plow guy doesn't show up." And that is how I know that I married the right guy for me. Both of us have been accused of being boring sticks-in-the-mud by party-animal exes, but when the shit hits the fan, we do what needs to be done.

Anyway, my surgery went really smoothly. Apparently I'm not as accident-prone as I had thought I was, because all of the nurses and doctors were impressed that this was only my second surgery (my first was to have a benign lump removed when I was a wee child). One asked, for example, "Where do you usually have IV's put?" I was like, "Eh? 'Usually'?" Another asked, "How do you usually react to anasthesia?" I was like, "There is no 'Usually!'" Don't get me wrong... I'm not exactly graceful, and I do fall down a lot. But I pride myself on being very, very good at falling down. I usually tuck and roll like a gymnast, but man I sure screwed up this time.

After my surgery, there was never as much pain as there was the prior weekend between the accident and the surgery. I never even took the narcotic pain meds. The swelling went down quickly, and MK brought me her gimpy-survival-tools, including a little stool to sit on while bathing, and this awesome scooter:

MK said that crutches suck and she was correct. I do okay with them, but the problem is, they take up both of your hands, so you can't carry anything or do anything! The scooter has enabled me to get around the house comfortably and do little things like cook and make tea. It even has purple tassles and a basket for cheese!

Two weeks later, I got the cast off, and I came home with a removable boot, but I was still told not to put weight into the leg for three more weeks, so I'm still on my scooter.

All in all, I've been very fortunate. DL has been very devotedly taking care of me and taking on my chores in addition to his, without complaint. I even hired the dogs' former kennel managers to exercise them. They not only skijor, but are long-distance trail-runners, so when the snow is gone, they'll run with the girls! I'm healing well with minimal pain. The swelling has gone down, the incision is clean and healing nicely, and I even lucked out with timing. DL and I got both our COVID shots, so doctors and the surgery were lower-risk endeavors, but working from home is still a thing, so mobility is not a problem. Buuuuuuut I'm still very frustrated and sad to be house-bound. Oh well. Here are more photos.

Chicken bone soup! Good for healing!

Four hours later...

Cricket likes aaaAAAaaaAAAAAaaapples!

And Thistle likes aaAAAAAaaaAAAapples!!

Lessons learned:

1) Adapt to conditions! Don't just say, "This is my running loop, and I'm gonna run it." Quit! Or go home and trade shoes! Or go home and change your clothes if you didn't dress adeqately!
2) Always carry your phone! I was not in the habit of carrying my phone since we didn't used to have cell service here, but we do now!
3) Maintain your strength, flexibility, and overall good health, so when you have a setback like this, you can live with it! I've been very grateful that my other leg, and my arms, are very strong. I get around well on crutches, and can maneuver myself around better than I thought I'd be able to, because my arms and other leg are so strong. Over a decade ago, a friend gave me a tip on core strength--brush your teeth while standing on one leg! It was hard at first, but now I can balance on either leg very well using the muscles in my feet. Boy, this has come in handy...
4) Find a good Life Companion, if you can. Don't dawdle with a partner who wouldn't take care of you. It's better to be alone and know what you'll be facing, than to have an unhelpful partner that you'll be deceived into leaning on, until you are startled to learn that you can't. Before I was with DL, I dated a string of self-centered dudes who would blahblahblah about how cool it was that I was so strong and independent--and that was true!--but when things go wrong, it's good to have a reliable partner. If you don't get lucky, it's better to be alone than to be with some jerk who won't be there for you. DL has been very tenderly taking care of me and taking over chores that I cannot presently do, and hasn't complained one peep. I could not imagine going through this with any of my exes!
5) Maintain a strong network of friends and neighbors. You never know when you'll need support, and even if it's offered and you don't accept, knowing that it's there will warm your heart and relieve your mental burdens!