Last year around this time, I got the hives. This year, I fractured my ankle. I shudder to think what is in store for me next year…
I once thought I sprained my ankle, and it turned out I had three fractures. So I think this is a sprain, but let’s get an X-ray just in case — Doctor
After much kvetching and waffling about whether I should go see my doctor about my ankle, I bit the bullet and scheduled an appointment with my PCP. Went in, got weighed (didn’t want to take my shoes off because it hurts, but even so, holy shit diet time), and then waited to see him. He came in, looked at my ankle, pressed on it (ow), and then sent me on to get an X-ray.
Now, I’m not a doctor so you should wait to hear from them, but there’s definitely something funky going on in your ankle — X-ray Tech
Never good to hear that from an X-ray tech. She’s probably seen 1000s of X-rays, and even if she’s not an MD, probably knows what a bad ankle is when she sees one. We had a good laugh as she looked at my foot and the bruises on it, and then asked if I was sure the right ankle was the one that was hurt.
The next morning, I got a call from my doctor. Yes, it is fractured. It is a small fracture on the lateral aspect (whatever that means). I just need an air splint.
30.6+ year streak of not breaking a bone? Broken[1].
So what now?
The ankle is currently in one of those air splints. I’ve got an orthopedist appointment tomorrow. My guess is they’ll want to do some more scans (of one kind or another) to make sure I didn’t tear anything as well (I heard two distinct pops when I went down). I’ll also find out from the ortho when I can start training again. Steve is being really good about telling me to rest. My friends have been really good at reassuring me that I’ll get back to things better than I was before. Medical friends (Jen, Rehan, Ally, Ashley) have been looking out for my best interests. Bartender friends have been amazing (gin, honey, simple syrup, orange zest… holy shit). My family especially.
It would be very easy for me to say that this is a fitting end to 2012. But that’s not true. I can’t take for granted all of the good and great things that happened in 2012 just because some not so good things happened. These things, good and bad, are shaping me for the better/stronger.
- It’s one of the streaks I was really proud about. Another was never using a port-a-potty. I think I made it something like 27 years. Pretty much until I started racing. ↩
