Granny’s Got a Boot

My latest ‘adventure’ doesn’t have anything to do with bikes – but boots instead.  A ‘moon-boot’ actually.  And the adventure isn’t one I would suggest to anyone!

I thought I would be clever and take a rec. day from work on Monday – and use that time to catch up on some housework – there have been a lot more fun things to do for a long time.

I thought I would start in the bathroom and to try and get some of the mildew off the ceiling before the next humid summer arrives.  As I am a bit short, I used my 2-step stool to get up close to the ceiling and this worked well until – squip!!  - it shot out from under me and I just (I am sure gracefully) fell straight down onto my left foot. 

I was quite surprised as I looked down and watched my foot bend under me… yes, I should have lost a lot more weight!!  Mercifully I didn’t clout my head on anything, but I was a bit stunned at its suddenness, so I sat there for a little while, trying to work out what to do next. 

Day 2 - fat foot going slightly purple

Well, I knew that my ankle was severely sprained because it hurt a lot, so I crawled out to the kitchen, got a bag of frozen mixed veggies from the freezer and slapped it on my foot.  But I hate this ‘cold’ treatment!  I remembered that I had an ankle support bandage somewhere (from an earlier buster in 2008) so found that and pulled it on.

But the throb continued so I went and had a bit of a lie-down.  I realised that I needed to get it all checked, so hobbled out to the phone and made an appointment with a Dr.  Michael taxied me to this Dr, who decided I should have it x-rayed, so we took off to Logan road, where I was duly zapped and sent hopping back to the Dr with a bunch of black n white photos.

Hmm… Dr says – well you’ve broken your 5^th metatarsal – ie the bone that leads up to the little toe, so you need to have it either plastered or get a moon-boot.  You will need to keep this on for 6-8 weeks – no driving, no riding!!!  Gad!!  Just what I wanted to hear – NOT!!

So I hopped out to the pharmacy next door and paid up for a pair of crutches for a month and hobbled out to Michael’s taxi and went home.  6-8 weeks!  It began to sink in that I would have to change my life-style for the next coupla months and I was not happy, Jan!!

I had decided to go with the moon-boot as it can be removed for showering and sleeping – even resting and watching TV I found out – so rang up GB Orthopaedics and made an appointment for Thursday – closed on Wednesday due to Ekka Day in Brisbane.

I was rescued again by Michael, who came and collected me on Wednesday afternoon to spend some time with them.  It was great to get me away from the pit of despair and to watch Missy Moo tootling around, trying to work out why I was sitting down all the time.

On Thursday I got the Boot!  Emma & Erica drove me into the Mater precinct and a very nice guy fitted me with my own Moon-boot.  He checked the x-rays and confirmed the broken bone, plus a bit dislodged from the end of it near the ankle plus a sliver off both the tibia and fibula so I had done a 'good job' he said.  He assured me that after about a week I could probably be hobbling around without the crutches - Music to my ears.  

The Moon Boot - pretty flash and pretty good!

But the Boot is really good – it protects my foot and allows me to actually place my foot on the floor and helps me balance.  It is a bit warm by the afternoon, but if I am laying around (good excuse for a Granny nap!) I can take it off.

I can now tootle around my flat, even went down the stairs and up again on my own yesterday.  Today, I have even been getting around with only one crutch, which helps amazingly when trying to move around things like plates of food etc . 

So I do feel much better – I still hate the crutches and it is so tiring to move around – my arms ache, my right leg aches.  I am also sporting a large bruise on my left leg and I must have hit my ribs on the towel rack in my descent.    Wot a crock!! 

I wish that I had a much more interesting ‘adventure’ to get this injury – something like – attacked my mad dog whilst riding through the forest – or – falling off bike whilst trying to ride up steep cliff – or just about anything other than falling off a stool whilst doing housework – Boring!!!!

So its going to be 6-8 weeks before Maggie and me go purling again…  I can’t wait!