I Fell & I Can’t Get Up

Now I know what that means – from first hand experience.

Tomorrow is our 25th wedding anniversary. We will be renewing our vows at the Noon Mass (not “nude” Mass! Apparently when I say “noon” it sounds like “nude” to non-New Yorkers).

Some of our family and friends will attend the Mass & I thought it would be really cool to have them over to the house afterwards for a little celebratory luncheon. Yesterday I went out to Panera Bread and ordered sandwiches. Then I went to the supermarket to pick up a few other important things like drinks & chips.

As I was walking down to the basement, I missed that last step and fell, coming down hard on my left ankle. I was in so much pain that I thought for sure I had just broken my ankle. I sat on the floor looking up at the stairs wondering how I was going to get back up. I looked around at the scattered groceries. I thought to myself, “Gee, lucky thing I have my cellphone in my pocket.”

I waited for the pain to subside enough for me to be able to talk and then called Theresa to give her a heads up that she might be taking me to the ER.

Eventually, the pain subsided enough for me to attempt getting back up the stairs. It just so happened that Theresa’s crutches were literally, right behind me. I hobbled my way up the stairs, took some anti-inflammatory drugs, got out an ice pack and parked myself on the couch, debating whether or not I should go to the ER.

For the next hour, I sat on the couch thinking, “I do not have time for this. I need to clean for tomorrow’s company. I have a million things to do.” I whined on Facebook. My friend, Larry, who knows about medical stuff, called after seeing the post. We determined that it probably wasn’t broken. After how it feels this morning, I’d say it’s definitely not broken, thank God! Because I just don’t have time to be crippled.

So now I’m thinking, damn, if it hurt that much and there’s no real damage, I can’t even begin to imagine how much a broken ankle must hurt. Seriously. I am not exactly a wimp when it comes to pain.

Ah, well. Time to get to work here. I know I promised details about Saturday’s party. I’ll get to that. Obviously, however, whining is way more important.