Two Options

Did you think I forgot about my travel stories, my dearest darlings of the cyber-world? Well do not fret, I have not forgotten. I just write in spurts. Tonight I am finally working on travel stories again and will be posting on the journey before the clock strikes midnight! At least, that's my short-term goal. I've been distracted lately by the progressive atrophying of my cast-enclosed limb - and speaking of (one final diversion from the primero SAmerica story) - I do have an update on the broken bones. I have a follow-up appointment with the doc in a few days, but unless my calcium supplements are mysteriously turbo-charged, it is highly unlikely that I will be freed of this awful bone-holder-togetherer within the next month...at least. But that's okay.

This is my Grand Exercise in Patience, and probably the only thing that will get me to exhaust my arm muscles on a daily basis. And technically speaking, I did SORT OF ask for the cast. I actually had two options:

Option #1: Let the doctor put two screws in my ankle to hold the rickety tibia together, or

Option #2: Set my ankle in a non-weight-bearing cast for 6 - 8 weeks and wait for my body to heal itself.

I just don't like the idea of setting off metal detectors for the rest of my life...although I've been cursing that decision on a daily basis.

I am coming to terms with my limited mobility. I keep reminding myself that this is a temporary condition, which is humbling because it makes me think of people who adapt to permanent limited mobility and continue to lead long, successful, fulfilling lives. It doesn't make me like the crutches any more. It just makes me stop wimpering about them. A little. Cowgirl up.

I've also discovered a few little tricks and systems that have been really helpful in calling a truce with the crutches....

• Vons delivers groceries - literally anything you could buy at the store! Sheer brilliance.
• A barstool in the kitchen is extremly helpful while cooking and washing dishes. Not that I'm doing tons of either of those things. Mostly I just use it while making coffee.
• Throw-rugs and crutches do not play well together.
• When getting in the shower feels like preparing for a medical procedure, it really is more enjoyable to just sit on the sink and take a sponge bath.
• Friends really don't mind carrying baskets full of laundry to and from the laundry room when free Thai food and wine is part of the deal. And in between Thai food and wine nights, Febreeze is absolutely essential.
• There's nothing wrong with asking someone to stop by after work to take a bag of garbage out to the dumpster.
• Getting through those doors with the spring-loaded closing mechanism is very tricky. The best way I've come up with so far is to use one crutch as a door-stop while using the other crutch to gracefully GLIDE through the doorway. But really, if I can just get through the door in one piece, I feel like a total success.