Sunday, January 16, 2011

Thoughts from my moonboot


It’s really quite salutary to be mildly disabled on a temporary basis. It’s changed my behaviour. For example, I find myself planning my movements. Instead of strolling from the kitchen to the living room with a watering can, dealing with the plants and then wandering back for a cloth to wipe up the spills, I set out armed with the cloth in case I might need it. I think before I open the fridge and then I take out all I might need to cook the dinner, instead of dotting back and forth as things occur to me. When you hobble, crossing the kitchen is an expedition.

At work, people vary in their behaviour to me. On my first day back, several of my workmates offered to make me a cup of tea from the kettle in our office. No, alas, this didn’t last... (It was nice while it did, though.) They do open the (heavy) workroom door for me if they’re in the vicinity and I’m carrying stuff and at least one crutch.

I have two crutches but I can’t carry anything if I’m using them both, so I tend just to use one if I’m plodding to a distant classroom with books and papers. There are various heavy fire doors on the way. Remarkable numbers of students just let these swing in my face – not out of malice but just because they don’t notice me tapping my way along behind them. But an equal number are very helpful and hold them open.

In the street, people are solicitous to those on crutches. They let me go first through narrow gaps, smiling sympathetically. But I went to the ballet on Thursday with my mother and decided that the crutches would be a nuisance, so I took a stick instead. Immediately the sympathy evaporated. This could have been because about fifty percent of the audience were old ladies with sticks, so I just became one of the masses and had to take my chance.

The foot is a lot less swollen now and the bruising is fading, but it’s still quite achey. I’m quite fond of my moonboot (“You should have got a pink one” said a particularly girly student). It’s lovely to take it off last thing at night but on the other hand it gives me a certain security to put in on again in the morning – it definitely supports the ankle. Thank you to whoever invented them – so much better than a plaster that's with you all the time.

I haven’t been for a walk for sixteen days now and am feeling horribly unfit. Can’t drive, can’t walk more than a few hundred yards, take a long time to go up and down stairs. How pleased I shall be when it heals completely. I won’t be taking two working legs for granted, certainly for a while.

11 comments:

  1. It must be very tiring. I think you are being remarkably uncomplaining.

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  2. As Pooh would say "Oh bother!" I hope that nuisance will heal soon Isabelle!

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  3. Until such things happen, the complexities never occur to us. Suddenly, all the planning that needs to be done is a bit of a shock.
    What about using a small backpack to help you use both crutches?

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  4. Oh, poor you. I do hope things will heal up quickly!

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  5. When I worked in a University dept, we had a student who periodically had to use a wheelchair or crutches. When he was able to walk normally he used to slam doors in people's faces and when he was in a wheelchair he would drive it into the door until someone opened, only when he was on crutches would he accept help and hold doors open for other people - we never found out why.

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  6. I like to imagine you navigating the corridors of learning on crutches with your books and papers elegantly balanced on your head. Don't shatter my illusions!

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  7. Yes, I remember. Your whole life becomes a time and motion study of maximum efficiency.... Heal fast hon.

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  8. It really is a wake up call when one temporarily loses the use of a limb, hearing or sight. Last year when I lost the use of my left arm for a week, I was horrified to think that I might never be able to drive, sew, and do a hundred other things that I take for granted.
    You are very keen to go back to work so soon - as Lucille said, it must be very tiring. Poor foot needs REST, not work!

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  9. I'm so glad to read that you're starting to feel better. When I was on crutches after a knee replacement I discovered that an apron with a large pocket worked well in the house and a book bag slung diagonally across the shoulder worked equally well outside.

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  10. Like Val's very practical suggestions! This is all very poignant to me just now as my brother lies in his bed and may not walk. I am so glad you are getting back on the move! x

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  11. I haven't been blog visiting lately, so just got caught up on your woes, and oh, I am so sorry! Just glad it wasn't worse. You are right about old ladies with "sticks." They are pretty much ignored. I get more bang for the buck when I take my Rollator to the bookstore or whatever. (Plus, you can put your purse under the seat and let your purchases ride along on the seat. Long line? Sit down. Anyway, I send you all the very best wishes for a perfect recovery.

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