So here I am. Sitting in the psych ward of the Penrose Hospital. They said it wasn't personal. I don't necessarily believe them.
I spent all of last night icing and elevating and all that fun stuff. I woke up this morning with it feeling better, but not great. As the day went on I did nothing. I didn't leave the couch. Right before ice session number 2189 I unwrapped the ankle and noticed quite a bit more swelling and new bruising. It was like opening a treasure chest filled with piss. What a lovely thing to find.
I drove down to the hospital and parked in the main lot. I almost went to emergency room but didn't think this was an emergency. I wasn't dieing or anything.
So I went in and was promptly re-directed to the emergency room. The lady was quite chipper with her instructions to walk through the fing hospital to the er. Of course on the other side. I'm sure the look on my face showed equal chipperness. After they spelled my name keven in the computer people kept calling me "key ven." I figured it out when I looked more closely at my nametag. I gave 12 sets of people my information and waited for my xrays. One worker was sharp enough to point-out/ask "Where exactly does it hurt because it looks like it's swollen and bruised everywhere" I was thinking to myself "phrasing?"
When the actual doctor cams and asked "what I think is wrong" I told him that "I thought there was an issue with the ligament, not the bone because when I feel inside my ankle the places that are the most painful are such and that there is only a little pressure on the talus (bone that connects foot to leg) which points more toward ligament sprain or tear." He said ok.
I keep going over the fall in my head. Just unfucking lucky. I've fallen like that so many times. I planned where I needed to land. I was in control when I came off the boulder. Just bad luck. Also what a perfect time for a situation such as this. Matt gets here in 11 days. Lauren gets here in 18. I have an interview in 6. I have to teach in 1.
I feel solitude right now, but not the kind that I go looking for.
Ive been here an hour and a half. And my phone is on low battery. More success stories.
I am now officially the only person left in this hallway. I feel like I am in the beginning of that stupid Resident Evil movie.
Two hours. I'm starting to worry that it's really bad and that's why it's taking so long.
One of my helper buddies just walked in and said "did the doctor talk to you about the xray yet?" I said "no." Then he came back and went "doesn't look like there's anything on there" and walked away. I was kind of confused. I just stared and probably scowled. As he came back by I inquired for more information and he goes "yea looks like there is nothin on the xray. Doctor will prolly be in soon to talk to you about it." Ok. I don't know what to think about that. Thank you.
Two and. Half hours. Phone is on the fritz. Great.
Three hours...
My actual doctor finally comes back and reports that, "your diagnosis was correct. There is no break and it is the ligaments that are distressed. The recovery for a sprain should only be two to three weeks. I afterwards ask, "that is if there is no tear right?" He says "yes." So two to three weeks is horse shit because he can't tell if there is a tear. He gives me the name of another person to find that information out. Lovely.
I leave and hike myself back across the hospital to my car. I realize midway that I have hiked shorter distances to go rock climbing.
All of that information was typed on my phone at the hospital. Sorry if it is bitter, angry, rude, or whatever. Those of you who know me understand that being hurt is my fucking kryptonite. Sorry.
I am now home. I have been armed with crutches and an air splint. I am still not pleased. I hope everyone else's weekend is going well.
I have a lot to be thankful for and even the worst case scenario can't be that bad. Cheers.
I found this today. We took it when I was in Richmond.
This beautiful thing. One thing I'm thankful for.
