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Thursday, April 24, 2014

Cabin Fever



Grateful to Recover

Last month I happened to not only dislocate but fracture my left ankle after getting off the bus.  At first I thought I just took a misstep but when the bus driver got off to assist me I realized it was much worse.  I couldn’t feel my foot and luckily the bus driver and a fellow passenger assisted me back on the bus while the driver called ahead for an ambulance and asked them to meet us at the following stop.  Unfortunately, I live in an area where we have volunteer ambulance techs and firemen so this particular evening the ones located in my area were all in training in another city so I had to sit in the bus with the remaining passengers till they finally arrived. 


Twenty minutes later I was being assisted off the bus by one hot police officer as he was the first on the scene.  I now had to lean against his back as he took a step at a time and then lifted me off the last step and placed me in front of the ambulance gurney.  That was one of the highlights of the evening so I couldn’t complain much then but then on route to the hospital the pain began to set in and I had to be driven to the nearest hospital which was another twenty minutes away and the ride was a bit bumpy due to the terrible winter we've had and the many potholes left behind on its wake . 

Upon arriving at the hospital I was relieved to see my family there waiting for me and the nurses and doctors assigned to me were absolutely amazing.  They treated, popped my ankle back in place after taking X-rays and then monitored me for a little over an hour before the nurse taught me how to use crutches,  issued my release and handed me instructions and a referral to schedule an appointment with an Orthopedic Specialist in a couple of days.  A couple of days later I was seen and then by the end of the week I was scheduled to have surgery as a plate and screw had to be placed in order to keep my foot intact. 

Having never broken a bone in my life this was all not only an inconvenience because I had to apply for disability at work but also frustrating to say the least.  A week after the surgery I was managing my way around the house with the crutches but my being able to sleep comfortably was out the window.  I had to get accustomed to doing things around the house I could manage, watched a lot of TV and did some writing on my current WIP but was still missing being able to get out of the house.  According to my doctor I would be out of work for three months and although a month and a half has gone by so far I still find my being unable to do certain things or even going to work a bit stressful.  In the interim, pain meds prescribed gave me a severe allergic reaction so I broke out in hives and a rash that targeted certain areas of my body so now I not only had to deal with the uncomfortable feeling a cast brings but an itch and rash that wouldn’t let up. 

Miserable couldn’t begin to describe how I was feeling but thankfully I have a great support system at home I could certainly rely and lean on when needed.  Between my boyfriend and son they helped a lot around the house but since I couldn’t stand up for too long we had to eat out a lot and that alone put a damper on my mood.  I enjoy cooking, cleaning and being able to take long showers and all this with exception to showering had to be done solely by them during the first month.  I didn’t get back into the kitchen until I felt comfortable enough to do so, so now I cook twice to three times a week and feel like I have a little to offer.   

Being independent since I was a child has made my relying on anyone else hard but unfortunately I had no choice, and can honestly say I am glad I have the support I need from those I love.  They have been wonderful from the onset so I am also truly blessed.  I have another month and a half to go and can’t wait to get back to work but know that vacation and days off will have to be limited once I return so I hope we can take a week or weekend off prior to my return to do something fun like a romantic getaway or family retreat.   We so need it and I can hardly wait.  I have certainly learned how important having all your limbs intact is and wish this on no one as it isn’t easy.
 
It is best to take very good care of your health.  Appreciate all you can do and certainly have compassion for those that can’t ever get better.  I will be back to walking soon but there are many out there who will forever struggle with pain and the inability to walk again.  I have much to be grateful for and shall never take it for granted again. 




Copyright © 2014 ~ Susan B. Anna  

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