Am I becoming one of them......

     I don't know.  What do I mean by them?  Them, yes we'll keep the word like it is, is a reflection.  I've spoken of it before.  When one blogs a lot and suddenly falls off.

     The biggest reason I don't feel I qualify as one of the 'Them' is that I am blatantly unapologetic about it.

     The sad part is what you are all missing out on.  And I've only reached the first day of work on the knee injury, and that was 4 or 5 months ago.  

     It would be to cumbersome a task to just pick up here.  And the little cohesion you ever found in these words would really be messed up.  And yet, a few still come in hopes of a word or 2.

     So we'll just have to try.  Let's open with a double entry as I've decided against the gym this morning.

First day at work

     The day wasn't to difficult.  Really sort of slow.  Took time for a break here and there.  Was glad about lunch.  

     Keeping the leg elevated was a priority to me.  I've no reason why.  Just seemed a good idea.  Where ever I worked I had it on a mail bucket.  At my desk it was conveniently on top of my computer.  

     As I already mentioned I was stiffed legged.  I'd stopped taking my diuretic in the day time.  Just took to much time to get to the bathroom.  And took me way to long.  For some odd reason I felt that would be the point that was noticed.

     I mean normally it's not an issue, yes we're talking bathroom time here and now.  Especially at work where you've room in the stall at least.  It was still awkward sitting and standing and took time.  But it beat the home team.  Anyway.

     I remember taking Tylenol again and was glad for the end of the day.  My manager would be out for the rest of the week the day after.  I was very curious to see how my body and leg would hold up.  

     I remember hobbling up my driveway.  Pleased with myself on the one hand.  Brother in law was less than pleased when he came home and had to cook.  Oh well.

     The next morning, and no we are not about to go for a day by day, just giving highlights.  

     Know what.  For that thought I'm going to make that another entry.   

Stuff.

      Now as the brother in law was still working far away I had to prepare for the morning routines.  Mostly for the dog's sake.  Since I was now able to go down stairs we had our ritualistic mornings.

     Bowl of kibble.  2 cups of coffee.  And just before I left outside with the dregs of the pot.  I gave her the usual 15 of free time to roam around the yard.  Spring was nice this year.

     I was wondering, what was I to do with myself while I waited for work to begin.  I then realized that I could just download a free game on my phone. I believe it was infinity sword 2.  Why not, price was just right for me.

     I began the drive to work with trepidation.  This would be the first venture in traffic for the knee.  Was I up to it?  Well thankfully the answer was yes.

     I pulled into my normal spot at work.  Looked at the huge distance, distance grows when you hobble, and just went for it.  Walking very cautiously.  Think the 2 min walk took me 5 or 6.  Thankfully I get in early enough so that almost no one sees me.

     Made it inside, down the elevator.  Met one person and explained.  Made it into my work area.  My elderly co-worker met me and once I put my food away I gave him the whole story.  The talkative co-worker was saying I'd bee out for weeks.

     I hobbled down to the cafeteria.   Found a secluded booth.  It was nice and out of the way.  Also I could just put my leg up and elevate it for awhile.  Something I felt good about.  I took a few acetaminophen before I left and had brought some with me.  Wanted to be prepared. 

     

No excuse.

     There will be a blog today, tomorrow and Monday at the very least.

     My time passed and my leg was getting more manageable.  By Sunday I'd removed the accursed immobilizer.  Hobbling badly but able to get down the front stairs.  I did a test run.

     Uncomfortably I'd made it to my car.  My leg did not have full mobility to bend.  Basically with one hand on the door and the other on the handle they give you on the inner roof.  I issued my leg into the car.  It was perfect.

     While not able to be mobile enough to walk and such, it was in the perfect angle to drive.  Getting in and out were the tough parts.  I gave it 1 more day.  Monday I went for small rides.  Feeling better to be under my own control once again.  Feeling slightly free.

     The part that sucked was hobbling.  It is actually very tiring and trying.  Takes forever to get anywhere at all.  

     For those playing along at home all you have to do is just keep one knee bent so that only the ball of you foot hits the floor.

     I knew to be careful about eating, since I wasn't getting as much exercise diet was crucial.  I did not want to gain more weight for lack of movement.

     I prepared lunch for work the next day.  I don't remember if I was cooking or not.  But I had to return to work.  Plus my manager would be off from Wednesday on.  Oh joy Oh rapture.

Dr. and disclaimer

     The name of the Dr. staring in the the funny-ness is purely intended for comedic purposes.  Not a name that I know of.  In fact it goes back to the days of video arcades and putting you names on the wall of fame.  Oh those days....quarters....video games....where was I?  On with the post.

     I began to make calls after 10 in the morning.  Most Dr. offices open around 9.  Had my cell phone and a notebook handy.  I was taking this seriously.

"Good Morning, Dr. I.P. Freely's office, how can I help you?"

"Good Morning," I retorted cheerfully, "Dr. I.P. Freely saw me at questionable hospital yesterday and I was called to make a follow up appointment."

"Dr. I.P. Freely saw you at questionable hospital?"

"Yes he was the bone Dr. on call in the E.R."

"And questionable hospital told you to call?  What is he nature of your injury?"

"Well I injured my knee yesterday and had to go to the E.R.  They told me to follow up with Dr. I.P. Freely."

"Dr. I.P. Freely is a hand doctor."

     Thus begat the confusion.  The young lady was pleasant enough to me over the phone.  She gave me 3 numbers of bone doctors to try.  I thanked her and wished her a good day.

     Number 1:  The number you have reached is.....Huh?
Yup first doctor and his office number was disconnected.  Daunted but undeterred I sallied forth.

     Number 2:  Very, very, very bored girl answered the phone.  In fact I felt terrible for disturbing her with the phone call and almost apologized.  I explained my situation.  She asked for my insurance information.  She then told me they would call me back to see if they took my insurance.  
I'm still waiting for them to call me back.

     Number 3:  A very bright and cheerful office assistant took my call.  No they didn't take my insurance.  They could fit me in next Tuesday.  The cost would be $250 up front.

     She also advised me to call questionable hospital and make have them help find be a bone Dr.  Since it was their responsibility.  

I was done with Dr.s for that day.

t.b.c

Maybe it will go away

     My old chiropractor had the title of this blog hanging in her office.  I was entitled the 5 most dangerous words.  I was not about to start practicing them.

     Once the B.I.L. was told, then my sister, I settled in.  I'd not be going to work for a few days.  I stationed myself on my bed and watched t.v.  Keeping the weight off the leg except for trips to the bathroom.

     An immobilizer is just what it sounds like.  It forces the appendage to stay straight and not bend.  This made the bathroom very difficult to manage.  Not to mention just getting there limping along.  

     I was using an old electrolux part as a cane.  You can play along at home.  Go to the bathroom and do not bend your right leg.  Logistically difficult.  Must move garbage pail.  Damned tub, now have to sit at a difficult angle.

     I had my brother in law station a bottle of seltzer on the counter for me and wished a good day.  I was alone.

     Settling in for some sleep and day time television watching.  It was a day.

     I'm going to stop this entry here.  The next one shall have some good humor in it, least I think so.  We shall see.

t.b.c.

Lets get it on...

     The routine was going all to well.     April passed blissfully away as it does each year.  Even the dog enjoyed the new regime.  She was happily on a schedule.  Then good old May 22 came.  Why is the day important.  Just gives an idea of when things happen.  And because I said so.

     Let me say this at the start.  I'm far from graceful.  My right foot has always had a tendency to drag from time to time.  Know anyone else who has tripped going up the stairs instead of down.

     Well that morning I decided to replenish the bagels in my freezer. I was out.  So I stopped at my store and got 5 sliced in half and was happily on my way.  To much foreshadowing?

     My car was across the street and it happened.  I tripped.  With a good deal of force.  Landed on my left elbow and my right knee landed into the edge of some belgium blocks.  Go look them up if you're unsure what they are.

     I was down for a few minutes, my pants were torn.  I grabbed my bagels and decided to go home and ice the knee.  Technically this was nothing new.  Last time I walloped it, around the time of the 4s, it's somewhere on the list of blogs.  I iced it down and it responded.

     Not so this time.  Even more alarming, it was increasingly difficult to bend my leg.  I was in trouble.  I called a neighbor, 75 year old ex air force person.  I mean he literally just came back from seeing his girlfriend in Canada.  He was up and was glad to take me to the E.R.  Once I got in the passenger seat he closed the door for me.  I couldn't.

     I felt it was the right move.  We arrived.  Told him that I'd call him later if I needed a ride home.  I mean the hospital is a freaking 10 min. away.  

     Up on a bed, gave me more ice bags.  This had to be about 8 in the morn now.  Gave my story and such.

     I got the usual xrays and quick cat scan.  I saw the young Dr. on call all of 2 min.  Had a misstep in the bathroom.  How I longed for my sweats with a zipper.  Or for that matter the ability to bend my leg.  I literally pissed myself.  Oh sorry that happened a little before the cat scan.  Anyway, I was obliged with a plastic bag and some scrubs.  

     At about 2 I was told, no break, no fracture.  Good news.  They then put an immobilizer on my leg and didn't quite say how long to wear it.  Was asked if I could get a ride home.  I was of course offered a script for some pain killers.  I refused.  Damn they push those things huh?

     I was also told to call the bone doctor that saw me and was on call the next day.  With instructions that he's seen me in the E.R.

"I saw no bone doctor." I said.  
"Well this is the name of the one that was on call.  Just call the office tomorrow and follow up with them."

     My neighbor arrived.  We got home.  Shit.  I didn't bring my house keys. So I had a nice visit with him until the B.I.L. came home.

t.b.c.  miss these?