Hey RR! I'll be seeing a little red on Monday.
Last week (July 26) while on vacation on the Outer Banks
(Nags Head), the wife & I decided to go for a swim in the
ocean. Right at the waters edge, the waves had cut a small
ledge into the sand. As I stepped down, the sand gave way
& I fell rather suddenly & awkwardly. My ankle turned
sideways, then my leg collapsed.
Funny how time seems to slow down when stuff like this
happens. I knew right away that I was in trouble. I
concentrated on protecting my back & my surgically
repaired knee. I also was keenly focused on the snapping &
popping sounds my leg made as I fell, landing with my foot
squarely under my backside. Nothing sounded or felt like
bones breaking, but it sure sounded & felt very bad.
On our way to our swim, we had walked past the life
guard's chair & went straight to the water (maybe 50-60
feet). In the few seconds it took him to get to me, my
knee began to look like a bullfrog's throat. My foot was
at an odd angle. I was just at the edge of the water, with
the waves splashing cool water on me.
He asked me if I was able to stand on my own. It was then
I realized I could not move my leg. The lifeguard asked if
I wanted to be moved so the waves wouldn't hit me. He said
that high tide had just ended, so the waves would be not
much of a concern. I said that I thought my injuries were
pretty serious & chose to stay put until paramedics
arrived. He agreed that was the best thing to do. Besides,
the cool water felt good & it had allowed me to straighten
out my leg.
By then a number of very nice folks had gathered around
offering assistance. Good thing. A few larger waves washed
up & smacked me pretty hard, with the second one actually
dragging me toward the ocean. They quickly grabbed my arms
& kept me from being swept away. I decided that it might
be a good idea to let them pull me back a few more feet. :-o
That wasn't fun, but it was necessary as the waves
continued to build up.
I was treated to a practical demonstration how paramedics
get injured folks from the beach to the Ambulance. They
were very professional, very careful, yet very friendly.
And they had plenty of volunteers among the good folks on
the beach offering to help. My faith in humanity was
restored ;-)
The hospital on the Outer Banks is nice, but they could
only do X-rays - no broken bones.
My better half was persistent in getting me in to see my
orthopedic specialist ASAP, repeatedly explaining that my
injuries were severe & I could not voluntarily move my
leg. They initially wanted me to wait until Sept. She
persisted, getting a couple of closer dates, finally
agreeing to an appointment yesterday. Good thing!
When the doctor did his exam he looked a bit panicked. He
asked when I injured my leg (10 days ago). He asked why we
waited so long to see him!?!?!? OOF!!! He said at minimum
I had a ruptured patella tendon that needed immediate
surgery. I also may have ruptured two tendons in my ankle
that might require surgery too.
I now have a custom fit knee & ankle immobilizer &
temporary use of my own wheel chair.
I am first in line for surgery on Monday.
At least I will still be able to attend the surprise 25th
Wedding Anniversary party I'm throwing for Edie tomorrow
night! |
