The Ankle

On the 16th of December I worked, teaching 7th grade math, reading and language arts.  It was the last day of school before the long Christmas vacation.  Many call that school break "winter break."  I will have no such nonsense. 

In the evening I gathered with four of my table tennis buddies at Sigfried's house to play ping pong in his basement.  There is food, sport, camaraderie and beer.  What more could a guy want?

All was going well until I stepped wrong on my left foot and twisted my ankle in a severe way.  I went down to the floor. 

Siggy got a zip lock bag with ice in it and I put that on the ankle.  I knew that I was in trouble.  My foot had stayed flat on the floor and my ankle had twisted a lot.

I stayed awhile longer with the ice on it and then put my sock and shoe back on and limped to my car.  When I got home I woke Sarah and told her what had happened.  She took Siggy's ice bag and filled it with fresh ice.  I kept that on the ankle for most of the night.

By the next day I could barely put any weight on it.  I had trouble getting to the bathroom which is only 8 feet from my bed.

I spent the next 3 days in bed or lying on the couch.  I came down the stairs by sitting down and slowly slipping from one step to the next.  By Christmas I could walk but it hurt and I limped.

It is now Jan. 15th.  Most of the swelling has disappeared as has most of the pain.  I can stand and walk.  It still hurts. 

I know, I should have gone to the hospital and had it x rayed.  I had done the same thing to the other ankle 23 years ago.  So I had some experience.  And the fact that it has gotten better every day gave me confidence.  I don't like the exposure to radiation.  Those are my excuses.