Sunday, April 14, 2013.

I’m not a church goer but I regularly have lunch with my wife and her mother at Exeter House, my mother-in-law’s retirement community. As I left the house I enjoyed the bright sunlight, the nice colors of spring, with a sense of self-satisfaction since I’d be on time this Sunday. The steps leading to the sidewalk were covered with lovely red flower blossoms from the Camilla tree and I confidently started the five or six step to the sidewalk and my car. On the second step my left foot slipped out from under me, I reached back and comfortably caught myself with my hands but then slid down the next two or three steps but my right foot was not with me. My right leg shot forward suddenly from behind me and landed hard on the bottom step with my foot at a right angle to my out stretched leg.

Oh how I wanted to panic but I felt no pain just numbness. Sunday morning and the neighborhood is quiet. Fortunately I had my cell so I called Louise and left a message on her cell that I had fallen and broken my leg. Who do I call? A neighbor? There is no one in sight besides what would they do? Take me to the hospital? I called 911 and waited on the steps.

10 minutes or maybe 15 the SFD arrive with sirens blaring and five guys roll out with questions and clip boards in hand. They isolate the foot in place with an inflatable splint. An American Medical Response ambulance arrived just as they applied the splint; I don’t know how many times I retold my fall story, as if a logical explanation rationalized the circumstances. My foot is deformed, good medical diagnosis but rather obvious from my position on the steps. Off to the VA hospital; ambulance but no siren, slightly disappointing.

I spare you the next for hours of waiting on the gurney in urgent care, the three trips up to second floor for X-rays plus a CT scan, the hanging by my toes to let gravity pull my ankle into place, application of the plaster splint while the forcing of the ankle into aligned position. Before the full process started Louise arrived for moral support. Wearily we returned home.

We mostly live on the second floor of our house so getting to the second floor posed a monetary pause as we recounted Louise’s breaking her foot the day before our wedding and had to scoot up to flights of stairs for the wedding ceremony and reception; obviously, I could not be out done. I fiddled with the crutches on my first couple attempts to go to the rest room and to the bedroom by morning realized that they were useless when maintain balance is the issue not locomotion. During our morning discussion about my locomotion and needs we remembered that we have Louise’s mother’s folding walker and adult “potty” in our garage. These tools solved two problems: now, I could move around up stairs easily and steadily with a constant balance control and we now have a way for me to sit in the shower and bath myself. We thought we were geniuses.

Ok, so now I in reach of most of my sanity tools: TV with ROKU Netflix, computers and related devices, telephones, restroom and shower, and the bed. As friends called offering condolences and inquiring about my needs I realized that I don’t need much other than a visit occasionally but Louise will need the support because she brings me my meals, reaches for thing I can’t get, spots for me in the shower (so I don’t fall), etc. I the long run she is the one who will need most of the support.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

After some telephone scheduling confusion, we made our 9:30 VA Orthopedic surgeon, Dr Hagen, appointment on time. Dr Hagen, a thin upbeat woman, outlined the scope of the surgery: secure the fibula brake with a sheath and screw, anchor the ligaments with screws in needed, and tighten the muscle sheath surrounding the tibia and fibula either with a screw through both bones or a textile sheath wrapped around the muscle and bones. On the other hand they won’t know until they open my ankle and review the total extent on the damage.

Surgical risks: Primary risk is from infections. My concerns were will I have full use of my ankle and foot as before? Will my one leg end up shorter than the other? How long is the potential rehab?

Surgeon answers: Ankle should be as functional as before but with some arthritis. Later Louise noticed that the surgeon had a UW Sports Medicine logo embroidered on her smock; Louise’s vote of confidence. The surgeon sent us to X-ray to confirm that there had been no major changes in my ankle since Sunday. No change.

We spent the next three hours were spent making the pre-op visits with instructions with the anesthesiologist as the last stop. The anesthesiologist team was composed of an odd couple of a tall thin Indian youngster with no sense of humor and a short bearded guy with “gnome” expression who, while his team member drolly outline their steps, made numerous comments with his eyes and facial expressions. I asked, given their periodic conferential looks at each other, who was the boss; the droll one of course. My unstated question: Will I wake up after surgery?

The Care Taker

When we returned from my pre-op visit I was not only tired but verging on cranky. My wife has been excellent as a care giver but I’m not a good patient. I’m unable to take a shower without a spotter in case I fall, Louise is there! We live on the second story, thus I unable to come down stairs currently for meals, answer the door, etc., Louise is there! I’ve vowed to maintain a positive attitude but what do I say if there isn’t enough cereal in my bowl. It is obvious to me that this will be an emotional challenge for both of us over the next 12 weeks.

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