May14

Now the shoe is on the other foot.

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Now the shoe is on the other foot.

Trigger warning: I’m about to talk about another injury. If you’ve experienced Betsy Injury Trauma, you may want to move along.

But, for a delightful change of pace, I didn’t damage my left foot. Not even a foot!

This time it was my right knee. I dropped a larger-than-me human on top of it.

At the end of my women’s self defense class (the irony), one woman asked if I could go off-curriculum and show them how to throw someone over one’s back. No problem, but I didn’t stop to think that she was much heavier than I.

She landed on my leg, which elicited an audible “crack.”

“Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!” I said, grateful that, under pressure, that was my response rather than an expletive. I couldn’t believe I was injured. Again.

Someone ran for Hubby, who was thankfully on campus. He found a folding table for me to scoot myself onto from my prone position on the floor, and he and the ladies carried me to our van.

If I ever had fantasies of being carried on a litter like the queen of Sheba, that’s as close as I’ll get.

As fortune would have it, Hubby had taken the seats out of the back of the van in order to transport furniture to and from the school. While lying on my side on the floor of the van, a broken down cardboard box between my legs to stabilize my leg as much as possible, all I could see was the overcast sky and a few scattered treetops.

I wondered idly if I should be counting seconds or listening for fog horns or the tell-tale bumpity bump of train tracks.

But a few minutes later, we were at urgent care. Without a stretcher, I had to make do with a wheelchair, turning to my side as much as possible, trying to keep my right leg rested on the left without bending either. In the waiting room, Hubby pulled another chair in front of me so I could “lay” across them.

There seemed to be no urgency in urgent care. I half lay, half sat, my left side feeling more and more stiff and cramped, with each passing hour (roughly two). I was, upon request, eventually given pain meds.

At last I was brought back for x-rays of my leg and knee. “Holding still” was near impossible, since my leg was vibrating uncontrollably. The last x-ray, however, I couldn’t quite do.

I had to roll onto my stomach and was instructed to bend my knee as far as I could. I thought I’d done pretty well until I looked back and was surprised and disappointed I’d only gotten 90 degrees.

“Is that far enough?” I asked the technician, hopeful.

It was not. He came around his protective glass wall to slowly bend my leg for me. I grit my teeth and gripped the edge of the table. Then he told me to hold it there. That proved impossible, so he left the room to call for help.

Another employee entered and he gave her instructions on what buttons to push. Then he forced my knee down again, as I white knuckled the table.

She didn’t push the right buttons. He had to hold me down longer as he reminded her to hit this and then the red button.

If anyone is wondering, it’s the flippin’ RED button already!

Finally the X-ray was taken. I felt bad for this man. He didn’t slip on a protective radiation gown while he held my leg. :/

But the good news was, no breaks. I’ve been told what sounded like a crack could have really been a “pop” from a ligament.

Naturally I had to say something about getting confused because someone was eating Rice Krispies when the incident happened. You know, snap, crackle, pop.

But without an MRI machine on site, it was impossible to tell what the knee ligaments were up to. I had to call my doctor Monday morning and request an MRI. (I did, still waiting on approval. Last time it took two tries to get approved. Maybe first try will be my new record. Sensei asked if I get a frequent MRI punch card. Perhaps my next one will be free!)

I texted my stalwart friends who had lent me crutches before, and Hubby picked them up later that day.

Remembering prior advice about protecting my working foot, I quickly donned my mary jane shoe on the bad-now-good foot.

As much as I love an excuse to wear pajama pants all day… My right leg is bulky because I’m wearing a “knee immobilizer.”

Here’s my Instagram post, which I titled:

The universe overheard me say I’ll get caught up in Taekwondo in two days and restart Jiu-Jitsu soon.

I knew fellow blogger, Mike Allegra was on Insta and feared he may see this. He has repeatedly suggested full-body bubble wrap, but I have yet to take his advice.

From my local friends: “You’ve gotta be kidding me!!!” and “What happened now?” from the woman I borrowed the knee scooter from. (I will not be able to utilize the knee scooter for this one.)

The next day, Hubby had to take Joe to a kindergarten birthday party. Normally, that’s been my job. (One plus for the injury!) While he was away, I took the knee immobilizer off to have a look. I sent Hubby a pic, both to apprise him of the current state of things and to test the strength of his love for me. If he could survive that photo, our marriage could withstand anything.

My knee was fat and lumpy in places no knee is supposed to be.

~~~

All of the above was written soon after the accident. I couldn’t bring myself to post this until now, a couple of weeks later.

The swelling is nearly gone. A yellow bruise formed around my knee and eventually spread to my ankle. Now it has mostly faded without having turned purple, black, or blue. (Sort of disappointed. That would’ve been gnarly to behold.) Still no word on the MRI.

I’m no longer on crutches and am able to drive, though my knee only bends about 45 degrees. I took my girls to Taekwondo for the first time on Thursday. Prior to this, Hubby drove them. OF COURSE, Sensei said, “Some people will do anything to get out of testing.”

As mentioned in the Instagram post, I was just about to test for my red belt and be caught up with my girls. I was so very ready for that test! Getting caught up now will be tricky since there are only two belts left for them. My dream of us finishing together what we started together is likely dashed.

I was also counting down the days until my triumphal return to Jiu-Jitsu, planning for June 1. I’ve been day dreaming about that moment for months.

You can see why it’s taken me a while to post this. I just need to get used to this new reality.

And perhaps take Mike’s advice and invest in some hardcore bubble wrap.

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72 responses »

  6. This is all horrible news, esp. on Mother’s Day. Consider a new activity! I’ve never heard of anyone getting injured during yoga or that drum beating class that’s so popular these days.

    Liked by 2 people

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  7. I did some checking for you and you can get a 4 feet wide by 100 feet long roll of bubble wrap on Amazon for about $76. That and few rolls of packing tape and you should be able to create your very own bubble wrap suit.

    and if you’re really thinking of planning ahead, crutches and even a stretcher aren’t that expensive … you know a little work on the van and it could be used in as emergency transport for all kinds of situations.

    and the universe does listen to everything you say, so you might want to be more careful what you say out loud.

    Liked by 1 person

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  8. Forget the Mary Jane shoe. You need some Mary Jane for the pain, if ya know what I mean.

    Also, forget the bubble wrap. I think you should be under house arrest for the foreseeable future. Bad things happen to the lower half of your body whenever you walk out that front door.

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    • Took me a moment, but now I know what you mean. Ha!

      My girls suggested that when I am ready to test for TKD again, I not do anything remotely dangerous beforehand. We’ll see what happens. At least I got my brown belt in the injury down time.

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  11. Oh, man. So sorry to hear that. I’m in a waiting game with my health care provider right now, too. Waiting to see if they’ll approve paying for a procedure that is usually cosmetic but in my case isn’t. I wrote them one of my “strongly worded letters.” With businesses, this usually does the trick, but with health care, it’s anyone’s guess.

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  13. I was all “Oh no!” and “You poor thing!”, but then you had to go and mention the MRI punch card and an LOL displaced my previously empathetic state of mind. Perhaps the universe wants you to be the next Evil Knievel, Betsy (more broken bones than successful jumps?). All you need is the motorcycle and the fireproof red, white, and blue bodysuit. Over a layer of bubble wrap, of course.

    Thanks for the post – we missed you. Hope the full recovery is not far behind.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • “Over a layer of bubble wrap, of course.” Lol! I wonder how flammable bubble wrap is. Dave, you’re the sweetest. Thanks so much for your concern. I appreciate it. Y’all in the blog world make me feel much better. 🙂

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  16. Getting older sucks! It’s hard to fathom that our bodies just can’t do what they used to, and to bounce back from an injury. wishing you a speedy recovery.

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  17. As a mother, what struck me most was your fear your daughters would best you. As a mother, that’s what we want. Some of my children, sadly, didn’t do that. No, no, don’t ask me which ones. And, yeah, stop hurting yourself.

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  18. Oh no, Betsy! I think Mike’s idea of full body bubble wrap isn’t such a bad idea. I’m glad you’re seeing some improvement. Okay, now I’ll just roll my eyes, wait for the MRI, and cross my fingers that eventually you’ll earn all your belts. 🙂 Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

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  20. PIF. I am disappointed FOR you. Never in you for doing the thing that PIF does, try, teach, learn, do. I’m sorry you are at a standstill again. But. Again. These tests are bigger tests than the color belt tests. Healing teaches patience and gives you an opportunity to work on knowing your forms/steps/defenses mentally. One of the hardest lessons to teach to someone it is not natural to, is reaction. Practice your moves mentally. Do what I always called the ‘what if’ game. What if that car heading in your direction swerved towards you, what would you do. What if that group of girls walking towards you on the street got to you and surrounded you. Build up that mental knowledge, that mental reflex. When it comes time to physically work out again you will be surprised at far you have gone in your training.

    Heal my friend. 🙂

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  21. CM, you are so darn amazing. Thank you for still being here with me. What would I do without you?

    Your “what if” game is terrific. I sometimes sort of do that, but will make more of a concerted effort now.

    It took me a long time to get back into mental practice of forms, etc. Thinking about it was painful, and I’ve only done it once. 😒😞😡But with your encouragement, I’ll get back into it more.

    P.s. I’m writing this from my phone. Can you tell? 😉😝🤓🥋

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  22. Ai yo!
    an exclamation you would hear if you were in Singapore, and relating this story.

    When I read your content warning at the start, I seriously considered whether I dared to read on. But as always, you drew me in before I could even pause. Betsy!!! you must be so devastated with all the plans you had to move on from the last incident. I really feel for you – maybe not all the pain you were in, but certainly the disappointment in not being able to execute the many excitements you had planned.

    I am so glad nothing was broken and that you are able to drive again. Cheering you on to speedy recovery. Thank you for choosing to share this with us – I can well understand not being able to talk/write about it till now.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yes, I’ll have to return to physical therapy with my tail between my legs. Wait… I’m assuming that’s the kind of therapy you meant. It could go either way! 😉

      My MRI is scheduled for next Monday, so here’s hoping nothing too terrible is going on in there. :/

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  26. Gah, that sucks that you have to go through all this back-to-back. Maybe it’s now time to invest in a goat. Maybe appease the Spirits Of Injury™ since they won’t leave you alone.

    I also love Mike’s observation that you’re the biggest threat to you right now.

    Liked by 1 person

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  27. First of all, I’m glad there’s an update here and that your knee is healing. Cute shoe by the way and it looks nice with the plaid pants. Bubble wrap sounds like a good idea, Betsy. Hoping you’ll be back on course soon!

    Liked by 1 person

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  28. Pingback: “Time to hang up your gi,” they said. | Motherhood and Martial Arts

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