(Apologies this is in all caps. It’s not the way I posted it. ??)
As some of you know back the end of May I fell, breaking the back ankle bone and tearing a ligament. I now have a plate and 6 screws and wire for a ligament. It should be fun going through security at airports. 🙂
I’ve been in a wheelchair for all of this time. The three times I tried crutches I lost my balance and put pressure on my foot that wasn’t supposed to get any pressure on it at all. I’ve not used one of those kneeling things that many folks have suggested because when I fell, I also banged up my knee pretty good. Bruises still apparent and sore.
The good thing is we’d just downsized into our Lakehouse.
Well, good and bad. We hadn’t unpacked everything when I fell, so we’ve depended on our kids for lots of that. They’ve been super as has my husband. The main good thing is that here I can make it to the bathroom, actually wheel up to the potty. Wouldn’t have been able to do that in our wonderful big house we’d built 20 years ago—doorways too small.
Because it’s my right ankle, I haven’t been able to drive. Do you get what that means? I can’t run to the grocery store anytime I want. Worse I have to ask for help.
Being your basic, independent, controlling, “I-can-do-it-myself” sort of woman, this has been a disaster. I don’t like to ask for help. One of my daughters pointed out that my fall back mode to avoid asking for help is to give orders. Not something I’m proud of, but she nailed it. I’m working on that. I’ve learned I’m not a good patient, nor am I patient. 🙂 Couldn’t resist.
I’ve totally flashed back to times my mother was in a wheelchair, the one I now use.
Bless her heart. I just didn’t get it. She too was an independent, controlling woman. I’m sure it was agonizing for her.
Have you ever had to keep your foot above your heart?
Well others might be able to work from that position, but I can’t. I can watch HGTV and read. I must say it’s been very nice to read books in big gulps rather than piecemeal and not feel guilty, but I can’t do the laptop in that position. I’m working at the table now and as soon as I finish this post, back I go to the chair foot in the air! (I am now able to put some pressure on it and will go to PT next week.)
All I wanted to do this summer was bring out the next book. THE THEATRE just needs me to finish last edits before sending it off to the professionals. I can really tell when I’ve had my foot down too long, so my time is split between writing a few blogs and checking emails & social media.
The other things I’ve been able to do are: fill & empty the dishwasher, put away dishes, and wash clothes. Amazing what a sense of accomplishment this gives me. Important for a person who needs to feel capable.
But all that hasn’t left much time for the book. Eventually, it will come out later this year.
But boy do I have empathy for those in this state either permanently or temporarily! Thank heavens for handicapped accessible buildings & restaurants & bathrooms! I guess folks were just captives in their homes before we had all the ramps.
Have you broken a bone(s)? Been captive to a wheelchair? Did it keep you from doing things you wanted to? What’d you learn? Love to hear from you.
Looking for some great new reads? Check out the Sisterhood of Suspense’s Big Book Summer Giveaway!
http://gvwy.io/23f3gx1
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter http://eepurl.com/bBcimz and to follow me on any of my social media sites. And please share with your friends.
http://www.marsharwest.com
http://www.sisterhoodofsupense
https://authormarsharwest.wordpress.com/ for my Blog
https://www.facebook.com/#!/marsha.r.west @marsha.r.west
http://www.twitter.com/Marsharwest @Marsharwest
https://www.pinterest.com/marsharwest/
Word by Word 
I am so sorry about your fall, Marsha. I’ve had trouble with my ankles most of my life and have spent many months with my ankle swollen larger than a cantaloupe and my foot up in the air. I know how hard it is to depend on other people. It’s lonely and frightening and I prayed that if the zombie apocalypse had to come, it would wait until I was able to run. LOL.
I hope you feel better soon and that you can finish that book!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, Sharon. Wow I hate you’ve had so much trouble. The lack of control is scary. I had to get my daughters to alternate nights with me when my husband was gone. Not to be able to hop in the car to escape if something happened was more than I could manage. (I’m sure that’s mostly due to writing romantic suspense. My imagination just came up with too many scenarios. Thanks for your good wishes and for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Marsha, Sorry to hear about your fall and “forced leisure”… I can empathize! Two years ago, I experienced excruciating pain in my right calf and learned that I had an Achilles tendon problem. I had to wear the boot for six weeks and then get physiotherapy for another six weeks. Not pleasant! But I was grateful for my condo, elevator, ramps, and flat surfaces.
Take good care of yourself!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hey, Joanne. I take it after PT you were completely okay? And were you able to walk with the boot? I’m looking forward to that day. Expect the PT person to give me hints on how best to balance on it. Right now I’m practicing in the wheel chair but “walking” my feet. Both feet as opposed to just my left. Funny after almost 7 weeks now I have to remember to put down my right foot. 🙂 Guess we can get used to anything. Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can sympathize — I had never broken a bone (in 72 years) until I fractured one in my foot early in 2015 and also could only manage the wheelchair. The one time I tried crutches I fell backwards into my husband and took him down with me. Hang in there. It will all be better soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hey, Patricia. Yea, someone who understands. LOL I think crutches are maybe a younger person’s tool. Hate to say that. I have pretty good balance and core strength from Pilates. (If you don’t do Pilates, I highly recommend it.) Maybe now I could use them since I’m supposed to begin to put weight on my right foot again. We’ll see. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing. Glad you’re doing well. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
P.S. Patricia, you have gorgeous hair! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thinking about you, Marsha, and sending healing thoughts. Hugs!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Jeannie. I appreciate you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can’t imagine being in your shoes–or on your wheels–as like you, asking for help doesn’t come easy. Congrats though on fast healing and getting into the home stretch 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hey, Kathryn. I really feel like I’m entering the home stretch. I know the rehab will be hard, but I’ll be moving forward. The first several weeks were dreadful for me and my poor family! LOL I’m lucky they haven’t killed me. Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Darlin, we all know you are making notes and have great thoughts in the head and when you get back to that book, it will benefit for the best. I did have a cast on my right leg for torn ligaments and bad girl me drove to work with the left foot. I had no problems. You are almost there!!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hey, Vicki. Gosh I think the ligaments may be worse than the bones. Bless you and thanks for the encouragement. I’m working the foot several times a day to get the muscles to relax. Just not range at all right now. I’m grateful for all the support. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Marsha,
So sorry you have to go through this, not fun at all. On the other hand you’ve been forced to stop and smell the roses, so to speak. Just enjoy your first summer in the lake house, life will be there when you get back to normal.
I broke my leg when I was five. Our bedrooms were on the second floor, up a steep fight of stairs. I remember telling my mom I needed to go to the bathroom, but being something of a drama queen 🙂 she didn’t believe me. Later, after everyone was in bed, I tried to sneak downstairs and of course toppled!
Funny, I can still remember that, lol
Take care, thinking of you,
Jacq
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hey, Jacquie. Oh my goodness. I love your story. You must work that memory into a story sometime. I can’t imagine dealing with this and stairs! Thanks for your kind thoughts and for stopping by. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So sorry to hear, Marsha! Really glad to know you’ll be starting PT soon. I know they’ll take great care of you and help give back some of your independence on step at a time. 🙂 I can relate to the feeling of helplessness, although my down time wasn’t nearly as long. I broke my ankle three days before the start of the semester several years ago. On the first day of class, I was on crutches. My physical therapist assistant students took good care of me and could use my rehab as part of my class.
Thinking of you. Let me know if you need anything!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Hey, Stephanie. I fell on stage hurt the same right ankle when I’d gone back to teaching. We had stairs at school, but we also had an elevator. No elevator to help me get into our second story condo. Guess I managed because I was a whole bunch younger. LOL I know from my mother’s work with PTs and some I did with a OT on my shoulder. They are miracle workers. Several times a day I now try to bend my foot back towards my body. I’m seeing a bit of progress with that, but my toes shure don’t want to curt under! I know some of this will end up in a book someway. LOL Thakns so much for stopping by and sharing.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Marsha
I think you’ve handled your loss of mobility with grace and dignity. About the time you fell and broke your ankle I felt something click in my foot going across the parking lot. I’ve spent the last 8?weeks trading shifts and taking the odd day off when the pain was bad hoping to avoid the boot. During the last visit to physio I got told I need a scan and then my doctor gave me 2 weeks off work. The way it’s going it’s entirely possible you will have fully recovered at the time they decide I need a boot – or ? Compared to that you’re recovering at light speed.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh no! Hope everything works out for you, pat. That must hurt like the dickens 😦
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, my gosh, Pat. I’m so sorry to hear of your foot troubles. You’ve really had a tough go. Did you ever have it x-rayed? Sounds like you may have a broken bone. Sometimes they will heal on their own. Was this your left foot? Hope so. Then you can still drive. 🙂 That’s what I’m really looking forward to doing again. Heck, I’m looking forward to walking out my door and getting into the car without assistance! I’m sending positive healing thoughts your way. Take care and keep us posted. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. 🙂
LikeLike
Comparitively it’s kind of like a boo boo on your foot. Unfortunately I do a lot of walking in my job so it doesn’t seem to be healing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, aside from writing, I don’t have a job. I’d have been up a creek if I’d still been a principal. Lots of walking in that job. Take care. 🙂
LikeLike
I feel your pain. it is my left foot so I can still drive. The bone scan has been scheduled for Thursday so we’ll figure it out from there. But losing mobility isn’t a good option for me so I’ve started working out with a personal trainer from Synergy. She’s got me doing a routine that has round house punches and uppercuts in it. Apparently it’s good for Parkinsons. Who knew?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Keep us posted Pat. Good luck with your scan and the PT.
LikeLike