This Boot Was Made For Walkin'...7/8/2021 So, I was doing a typical thing a lot of us do: multi-tasking. I ran down my basement stairs to quickly switch the laundry (as I have soooo many times before), and, whoops, my foot slipped (as it has soooooo many times before.) But, this time was different. I was 3 steps from reaching the bottom. And Zwooop! (that’s a word) I went down. I crumpled onto my poor foot and heard the very LOUD CRACK on the carpeted, concrete basement floor. The pain was so immediate and fierce that I suddenly thought, “OH MY GOD, PLEASE DON’T BE BROKEN!” I was sure I’d see a bone popping out. As I twisted myself around to see my foot, I was pleasantly surprised to see skin intact. Whew. Nearly in tears, I hobbled back up the stairs, took 4 ibuprofen, and grabbed the ice pack from the freezer. I swallowed the pain killers, propped my leg up, and put it on ice. Once I was stationary, it didn’t hurt so much. I had dinner in the crockpot and my mom and sister were coming over later. I really didn't want to cancel. Plus, it didn’t hurt that bad at the moment. No need to rush to urgent care just yet. I figured I’ll wait and see how it feels the next day. Fast forward through dinner and a lovely visit... I stayed off my poor foot and went to bed. At some crazy hour in the early a.m., my bladder called and I nearly cried as I hobbled the FIVE feet to my bathroom. Climbing back to bed the pain was excruciating. I knew I needed more ibuprofen and I dreaded having to make my way back to the medicine cabinet to get it. But, it was a necessary evil and about 30 minutes later the meds kicked in and I blissfully fell asleep. I woke as usual to get ready for work but there was a massive power outage. We were told the office was closed until noon. Seeing how swollen my foot had become, I thought, Okay, Jules, go to the urgent care. So, I limped to my car and drove the quarter-mile to the urgent care around the corner from my house. After X-rays and waiting a ridiculous amount of time, the results were in: “ chipped bone/fracture.” They put a splint on my foot, wrapped it, and told me to follow up with an orthopedic doc. By this point, my office was already shut down for the day due to the power outage, so I called to schedule an appointment. Please get me in today, please get me in today… Wishes DO come true. I got a 2:00 appointment. Thankfully, my oldest was available to help me pick up my crutches. After a quick meal, we parted ways and I drove myself to the orthopedic doctor. Where I waited… And waited…
And waited. OH! I got in a room! YAY! ... and waited ... ... and waited. … and waited. Finally, the doctor came in! He was very nice, and I knew they squeezed me into the schedule, so I wasn’t too upset that I had to wait for what felt like 17 hours. He gently peeled off my bandages and splint, examined my foot, and informed me…. “Well. I don’t think it’s a chipped bone. This area often has calcified cartilage. BUT… if it IS chipped, the treatment is the same. We’re putting you in a boot today. The GOOD news is, you’ll be feeling much better in about 2-3 weeks! Which is when I want to see you again. Me: “Okay.” And, he walked out. Um. Okay, bye doc? They were clearly WAYYYY busy. And, the office manager, Michelle, was my savior, as she kept checking on me. Normally, I’d have to go to the nearby medical supply place to get fitted for the boot, but upon her realizing that I had driven myself, she said, “Oh goodness. Let me see if I can have them come to you.” 10 minutes later, she popped her head back in and said, “They can come here. Are you okay just hanging out here?” Nodding, I replied, “Yep! I’m good! Thank you!” About 45 minutes later, Noah enters with the boot. (Lots of instruction, and pain.) Me: "Soooo, am I supposed to walk on this? Or … do I use the crutches?” Noah: "Well what did your doctor say?" Me: "He didn’t." Noah: "Oh! Let’s find out." A lot of looking around for the doc, and some jibberjabber later… I was, in fact, supposed to WALK wearing this thing. What? Wait. WHAT the actual WHAT. The med tech who had checked me in walked by and said, “Yes, you’re supposed to walk on it.” Not gonna lie, I was a tad uncouth when I said this outloud, “It hurts like a mother fucker.” (and no, i didn’t edit that) because, ouuuucchhhh. She just laughed and replied, “YUP.” I hobble to the check out with MIchelle. It was nearly 5 p.m. by now. They gave me a temporary handicap sticker thingy... But, I have to go to the secretary of state to fill it. (Contemplating if it’s worth it...Meh. I can walk. Or not. I’ll just not go anywhere…) As I’m checking out, Michelle again suddenly realizes, “WAIT! You drove here by yourself?!?? How are you going to drive home?” Looking down at my leg and it’s new stormtrooper-looking fashion accessory, I sighed and answered, “Yeah, I didn’t realize I was going to leave here looking like Robocop. I’ll take the boot off.” Pain. Suck it up. You won’t die, Jules. And, I didn’t. I got home. And my kids stepped up. I’ve got rides to and from work set up, and friends offered to help with anything I needed. Yeah, this injury sucks. But, it could’ve been worse. It can ALWAYS be worse. And, my amazing family, friends, and co-workers jumped in to help me. They are awesome. I am a lucky human. Never be too proud to depend on others. Ask for help when you need it, and don’t sweat the small stuff like waiting a ridiculous amount of time in waiting rooms. People can surprise you and we shouldn’t always be in such a hurry. After all, I was hurrying down the stairs to ‘hurry’ and switch the laundry, and look where that got me? The universe gave me the not-so-subtle hint, “Slow. Down. Jules.” So, I’m taking it easy for a few weeks and am looking forward to dancing a jig when I’m officially done with this boot. Thank you so much for all of the well-wishes!
2 Comments
Rose K
7/10/2021 12:43:08 pm
Ugh....BUT T DINNER WAS DELICIOUS., NOW FOR A MOM COMMENT........remember haste makes waste. Now take time to smell the roses. Love Mom
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Andrew
7/10/2021 01:36:48 pm
Take it from me, 2-3 weeks will fly by. My 6 or so when I broke my wrist were sooooooo long at the time 🤣 but they flew by in retrospect.
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Leave a Reply.AuthorJulie Cassar, Best Selling Archives
September 2023
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