Life in the Crutch Lane

Have you ever had that feeling going down stairs, that you believe that you are on the last step, but you actually are not, and then you do this huge hulk step to correct yourself? Yep, I did that last week. Except I was still three steps up. I saw the door at the end of the stairs, and my brain was just “Oh hey, you’re there so let’s go!” So down I went, all on my poor right foot.

And then begins my journey with my broken foot.

I always prided myself on being that child who grew up without breaking any bones, finding myself in the hospital, etc. So I guess it was only a matter of time before I eventually broke something calcified within my body. So after having my parents rush to pick me up, drag me to an urgent care, waiting for x-rays at the hospital, then returning to urgent care to get a splint, to eventually going to see the orthopedist the following day to get fitted for a lovely air cast, a.k.a a walking boot with an awesome air pump in it.

So having never been on crutches other than practicing for my practicals in school, because it is only fitting that a physical therapy students hurts herself walking down stairs. But after a little over a week, I have come to learn and experience a different side of things.

1. Everyone, and I mean everyone will want to know what the hell happened to you. And the attention is kind of flattering within the first few days, however, it gets a hella lot annoying afterwards. Typically because people were asking me what happened as I’m trying to get myself up the disproportioned stairs in the science building, and that required some serious focus. And since I know the majority of everyone on campus, that meant everyone was asking what had happened. And of course, as my charming little cousin Bailey was escorting me across campus earlier today, she continued to tell everyone who asked what happened, that I had it coming. Thanks dear, love you too. It even got to the point where I had some weird older guys in the gym lobby coming up to me randomly and looking for the story. It just got a little boring telling everyone “Just fell down the stairs” over and over again. Ugh.

2. Being in a class of sixty something future physical therapists, I kind of got to see who will make a good therapist, and who won’t. Believe it or not, there were some of my classmates that walked over me right after I fell, and breezed their way before me in doorways or the halls. And I mean, I’m not requesting a red carpet and all eyes on me, but hell, I’m clumsy enough with just my two feet. I’m going to need some space and time to adjust myself to navigating with one feet, a boot, and two crutches. But I did get to see some real empathy from some of my classmates. Often times rushing ahead to get the door for me, making sure I was supported with pillows during lab, and giving up their seat on a bench outside our classrooms. It was really sweet and I appreciated everything, so much thanks to all of those good people!

3. Wal-Mart needs more wheelchairs. No further explanation really needed. However, in my non-weight bearing stage, I had to hobble my way around the store because they were all out of wheelchairs. I later found some wheelchairs in use. Specifically in the movie department just being used as a chair, no walking was involved. Actually no moving was involved either. But anyways, that was a very painful experience.

4. SAM’s club on the other hand had some fun ass jazzies. I’m pretty sure I embarresed the life out of my dad, however, my mom and I were having a good time rolling around, taking pictures, and discovering the obnoxious noise of the back up beeping.

1. I was and still kinda am dependent for so many things! It was not too bad at home, because my mom was waiting on me hand and foot. I felt so spoiled! All I had to do was sit in the recliner and ice my foot all day. However, it was much harder when I had to be back up at school. I thankfully have some pretty awesome roommates who were a huge help! But I felt so bad having to ask for help with things such as even carrying my plate back to the kitchen, taking my shower caddy to the bathroom, etc. And I’m still dependent for rides. I love being able to do things on my own, so I felt so weak having to depend on others because I am unable to do anything on my own.

2. I felt wrong sitting in a wheelchair for the first time. During Labor Day weekend, my parents and I went to play some high-stakes BINGO at the casino. We were able to claim a wheelchair so it was quicker for me to roam around, but sitting in it made me feel so weird. For one, I was about three feet below everyone all of a sudden. It just gave me a different perspective on things, and also, made me want to ram the chair into some ankles, mwhahaha.

3. People will still be rude. During this BINGO trip, I went to use the restroom at the end of the game, and the exit was in between me and the bathroom. So I basically stood on the one side as a huge horde of people all raced towards to the exit for a few minutes on my crutches. Eventually a small old lady in high heels muttering about rude people ran into the crowd to stop them, as my mom did the same from the bathroom side. I eventually made my way through.

Just a few points to be made. But throughout this experience (seeing as how I’ve been in the boot for one week and still have two weeks to go wearing it), I have been trying to do as my mother says and see it as a positive thing. I am now understanding what it is like to undergo a process such as this, and as a future physical therapist, I can see things from my patient’s point of view. A big thing I want to remember in the future about breaking my foot is how it feels mentally. I did this the third day of school. I had such high expectations for myself this semester, and I was going to make it my best yet. I was going to be hitting the gym, eating better, and killing it in the books. And then I fell and I felt very demotivated. I was in pain, and all I wanted to do was lay in bed and ice the foot. I wanted to forget about the little bit of reading I had to do, and in the span of a few days I felt behind and disorganized. It felt hard having to even hobble around my bedroom to get things for myself, so I felt very down about myself. Trust me, I had quite a few pity parties this past week.

What used to be minor things now expanded into somewhat big challenges. Walking around my college campus is typically not a big to do. We have a small campus. But now, it’s difficult getting to some buildings that I thought nothing of before. It was quite exhausting walking anymore, haha.

So the countdown continues until my next appointment. Because hopefully, this boot can come off for sure!

But then again…..what would I know?

Until next time,

Johnna

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