A beautiful and terrible thing
You may recall in a post from a couple of months ago entitled Two Lymes and a Lemon I told our collective tale of woe. To recap The Brains and The Bean were both being treated for Lyme disease and I had taken a fall on little more than a gentle stroll up Arthurs Seat in Edinburgh. The Lymes are doing well, though those familiar with the disease will know that it is the hidden damage that is hard to quantify … there may be none, there may be much but life, in our collective opinion (Two Brains and I have pulled rank on The Bean and made the decision for her) life is too short to worry about mightbees.
But. Big but. It seems little old attention seeking me has been less fortunate. My leg continued to give me grief and it became apparent that I have something called Foot Drop (which sounds like the Dropsy so loved of Shakespeare but is in fact a condition that means I can’t lift my foot. So my left side wafts with my usual elegance and grace (no, really) and my right side has a high step and flop-foot like a bizarre half human-half duck creature). Eventually, having travelled to France for a couple of weeks and back to Britain for a couple more weeks with the Agèd P and returned to Massachusetts, I was able to present myself back with the Doctor who was clearly concerned that I was still having problems and indeed those problems had increased. So I had an MRI. Actually I had two, because I’m greedy …. one for the ankle and one for the calf. That thing when your Doctor rings and opens the conversation with ‘you sure did a number on that leg’, that thing is the unwanted herald that you know the news isn’t going to be an invitation to pop the cork on a good bubbly. And it wasn’t – a fractured tibia at the ankle, a severe tear to a tendon and muscle down thereabouts and a fully snapped ligament. And moving up to the calf a further fracture to the fibular and somewhere in the whole mess a squished perineal nerve which is the thing that sends the messages to your foot to move up and down. Hence the one-sided duck-walk. I’d prefer a cake-walk. For now I have to settle for a comedy walk since it appears the ligament (its the one that joins the tibia to the fibular) may be responsible for the fact that my foot is increasingly insistent that it needs to, really and honestly needs to, veer outwards giving me a gate that amusingly resembles the waddle of a penguin. An odd bird indeed, that 6′ penguin-duck-bird. One specialist has given me a prognosis of running again next summer, tomorrow I see a second. What will be will be but the whole damn sorry scene does bring to mind Dumbledore in Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone ‘The truth is a beautiful and terrible thing and should therefore be treated with great caution’. I really, really wanted the truth but it turns out not THIS actual truth. Heyho. So many worse off. Too many. Far too many. And I dedicate this piece to all of you. You know who you are Terry and Clare and Kerry and AJ and Kat and I’m sorry I can’t do links because my Mac has decided I’m moaning too much and has malfunctioned to take the attention away from my whingeathon. Next stop Apple Hospital.
I picked this image for no particular reason except that the tree that has fallen into the water is absolutely perfect and it’s reflection entirely unblemished, the water itself seemingly unpeturbed. Which is probably how I appear. Deceptive these appearances can be, don’t you find?
PS: Since the author of Harry Potter (J K Rowling like you didn’t know) is a resident of Edinburgh and the taxi driver who took me to the A&E there sang her praises loudly as the most remarkable woman who gives so much quietly, it felt appropriate to use a quote from one of her characters in my title.
Mirror was the Weekly Photo Challenge a couple of weeks ago …. this is my belated entry
Ouch…Sorry to hear. Let’s hope the other doctor has better news.
Hope springs eternal!
Well, good luck with everything and hopefully now that you know what is wrong that you will be able to mend properly. Take care. (Suzanne)
That is exactly right …. although I didn’t want to hear what I heard, it does mean that we can seek the best solution rather than waddling round wondering. The worst thing is being in this beautiful place and not able to hike let alone run … but I can swim and we do have a pool so I’m being an amphibian for now!
Swimming is an excellent treatment for this type of injury so do indulge!
Just lop the thing off! Plastics have come a long way! 😉
Haha! That reminds me of a job I had where our unfortunate accounts clerk had lost a leg in a motor-cycle accident. She always wore trousers and was known as quite a difficult character which I felt entirely understandable in the circumstances. One evening my then fiancé (not my present husband) was sitting in the lobby waiting for me and she limped through. They had met several times before but she must have been sitting or standing still each time because as I walked in on the scene he was saying ‘hiya hoppalong!’ … I froze and simultaneously the receptionist froze waiting for him to be sliced with her vicious tongue but she confounded us both by laughing and stopping to chat with him. He always was a lucky sod!
I always deal with difficult situations with humor. In all reality, Vinny and I wish you the best. I guess you could still go sailing on one leg.😄
My motto is (or one of them) is ‘you can if you will’ so I’ll see you out there, Sailor!
I can’t compete with this, Osyth! Poor you – didn’t you realize something serious was wrong with your leg? It must have been so painful. Having had something similar in the past (my foot curled up) – focus on walking not running and a long recovery. I am thinking about you. Hugs K
Thank you for the hugs – they are appreciated as is the kindred story …. it’s helpful to have some advice from the wise! To be honest I was shocked when my doctor rang me … up til then I thought it was a calf strain that was not healing properly. The ankle is still swollen but I’ve known a few people with sprains that have taken months so I wasn’t too concerned, just impatient to run before I can walk which taking your advice to heart, I won’t! x
Make sure you check with your health insurance that the hospital and surgeon are fully covered by your plan – I have been stuck fighting bills before. Hugs K xx
Will do …. I know the first specialist was covered but tomorrow is a different hospital so I will be forearmed – thank you x
Break a leg! 😊
Haha! 😂😂😂xx
A horrible shock I am sure but good to know exactly what is wrong so that it can be treated properly. Imagine what further potential damage could have been done otherwise? Positive thoughts and keep writing please.x
Thank you, lovely for asking me to keep writing but do be careful what you wish for 😉. You are SO right that knowing what I’m dealing with is a huge relief though I’m afraid my husband, youngest daughter who was on holiday here until Sunday and probably the dog if she could speak get exasperated with my somewhere between Blythe, gung-ho and possibly stupid disregard for obstacles but I haven’t broken anything else yet 😂😂😂
That’s an astounding amount of damage–it’s amazing that you’ve been walking on it.
My Dr is an infectious diseases specialist who was called in for a second opinion when my husband presented with Lyme and remarked to me that he couldn’t believe he had done an 8K run the night before and a half hour on the rowing machine before going to the consulting room. Then he gets me walking and driving (including home from le Cantal to my mother in Oxford via Paris for dinner with my god-daughter near le Panthéon so a tootle round the Arc de Triomphe and across le Place de la Concorde and a couple of drives to Central London to see my eldest daughter ….. Bewildered didn’t cover it! 😂😂.
Crazy damage for a modest trip, but very good that it is now diagnosed. As you say, it might not have been the truth you wanted, but it is the truth; which is always under-rated.
Personally I can deal with anything if I know the truth of it.
Feet/ legs & ankles all funny things. I turned my little child ankle on a pavement 55 years ago and still have the swelling and it hurts in cold weather! Not that I wish that on you.. oh, shut up Gill right now…..
Husband keeps shaking his head in disbelief that a slip on a dusty gravelly path could net such a cricket score but it has and that is that. I broke my wrist at 10 years old and that still aches in cold weather so I expect my crock quotient will go up with this but if I’m healed I don’t really care …. Well I might make the odd moan and squeak for attention if Two Brains starts slacking …. Woman’s Prerogative, right 😉
right!
Thinking of you and wishing you a quick recovery. You are missed 🙂
Now that my youngest daughter had gone back to England for her final degree year I have no excuse …. After all I’m not exactly likely to be I. Training for the Boston Marathon this year!!!
Oh no no no. This is quite a collection of injuries to be dealing with and it’s going to take you some time. I am so sorry that your truth wasn’t kinder and am sending kind warm thoughts to you x
Thank you, Posh …. It wasn’t what I’d hoped but at least I now know and can get on with getting the right help to mend well 😊 xx
I hope you have some happier memories of Edinburgh than the place where you smashed your leg! You have a long road ahead, but lots of writing hours ☺️ Hope you heal quickly.
Yes, many! Edinburgh is close to my heart for many reasons and it’ll take more than Arthur buggers get my leg to dent my affection. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it ☺️
Good to hear. It’s a beautiful place.
What can I say? Just take the pills, the physio and the ops (there might be ops) and stay away from that bloody Arthur’s Seat next time 🙂
I sway the bugger pushed me … I was having particularly rich thoughts at the moment I slipped 😉
They will have to be your consolation then 🙂
Always 😉
Glad that you now have a diagnosis at least. Take care, and hopefully recovery will be as swift as possible and full.
Thank you Su …. The diagnosis may not have been what I wanted but it is the truth and I can deal with truth. I am hell to live with when inactive so my husband has plenty of incentive to ensure I get the best care 😉
Yes; unpalatable truths at least allow you to move forward and adapt to the situation you’re in. And I’m sure your husband has many incentives to ensure good care (though I totally understand the “hell to live with” argument)!
Non,non, non! C’est terrible!
Can surgery fix it? I do hope you find a solution soon.
In the meantime I prescribe a daily dose of champagne and Madeleine’s.
Thank you Dr Nadia …. I’ll take that prescription with pleasure! I’ll know tomorrow if they want to operate, I think. Miraculously the fibular seems to be healing well on its own but the ankle is another story …. 😕
Bon courage.
Mille mercis mon amie 😊
Oh dear Osyth, you have me laughing and crying in the same post. Thank you for the mention, your kindness is cherished by me and I especially needed it today my friend. I am sorry you have a mess going on with the foot and I hope for a quick recovery. I bet this was difficult to deal with when your daughter was visiting. Stay sweet – you are special to me. Happy Day my very good friend. 🙂
Oh, Terry …I’m glad my timing was sweet at least. Daughter and I still managed to do lots together and the main thing was just seeing one another – it’s hard on her having me so far away but she went back in buoyant shape so that makes me happy. Now you my dear friend … Just take care of yourself and I’m sending strong positive rays of energy south right now – they should’ve arrived by the time I stop typing this because they are marked special delivery fora special friend and stamped EXPRESS. 🌞🌞🌞
Yep, that was EXPRESS alright – the strong positive rays of energy just about knocked me on my butt! 🙂 Thank you dear.
😊
A beautiful and terrible thing, indeed! So sorry to learn this. Sounds terribly painful as well as awkward. I realize it’s easy to give advise, (and you probably don’t have much choice, anyway) but take the opportunity to rest. To sit and, maybe, discover something new. Who knows what will come of it? That said, I wish you a swift and gentle recovery. Perfect quote, by the way! Absolutely perfect!
Actually that is really good advice …. And I shall take it – thank you! 😊
OMG. They always says sprains are far worse than straight forward breaks. I sprained an ankle very badly when I was 11, jumping off a pony, I didn’t walk for over two months, but I could still ride if someone lifted me onto the pony! At least you can swim. And how I sympathise with the Mac, the spinning beach ball??? How I hate that beach ball, the bane of my life it seems, at least you have a Mac Doctor close at hand, here they are not quite so common!!!
The first time I took him to the Genius Bar he was running SO slowly that the chap nicknamed him Morla (the turtle in Never Ending Story) … It has stuck and today (my third trip in three months) he was greeted by name and given a heroes welcome – I love those Genii – I haven’t a clue where the nearest one is back home 😳 The ankle is certainly the bigger issue …. It will heal but I want to make sure there are no lasting Penguin-Duck effects 🐧😂😂 xx
How have you managed to travel so far and so wide in your condition? You must have a spine of reinforced steel! I do hope you beat all the prognostications and recover quickly. All of you. Do take care.
Oh Osyth, what a nightmare. Fingers crossed you get fixed as soon as they can with no complications. Get well soon.
Thank you David … Nightmare indeed but I am confident in the team and being unerringly positive (and a teeny bit bloody minded) will aid and abet, I hope 😊
Time is the great healer – and a good attitude helps! You seem to have both so hope it all goes well. As an MRI tech I would have loved to scan your ankle and calf – it sounds a doozy!
Goodness that is the hidden fact of the YEAR for me! I was fascinated by the process and was treated so beautifully during the procedure. Of course since I got the report I’ve been swallowing medical dictionaries to make sure I understand every nuance (or more accurately can believe I do!) 😂
Hopefully, your humor and desire to be on the move will prove the doctor’s diagnosis not totally accurate! Speedy recovery!!❣
Thank you Munchkin …. I really appreciate that. Bloody mindedness helps too, I tend to find!
So sorry this happened to you and wishing you a speedy recovery.
Thank you so much, Marcia … Your good wishes and sympathy are very much appreciated 😊
You tell it so well I’m almost laughing at your misery! Sorry!
As for that thing you use for writing your posts… throw it in the bin, save yourself a trip to another hospital. Get a proper machine that works almost all of the time and that will even be therapeutic!
I do hope the health fairy waves her wand and all three of you have speedy and happy recoveries!! I don’t like hearing my friends have illnesses!
As for the random photo… it works for me! (The aquatic nature is well in keeping with the post I have ready for tomorrow… ) 😉
It’s been begging for a slot for a while! We’ll mend and in the meantime being forced to sit still more means more time to read and write and simply stare at lovely views whilst pretending to have high thoughts. Your good wishes are truly appreciated and of course the same goes in reverse 😊
Very sorry about the leg. If they ever repeat the Ministry of Silly Walks it should be a shoe-in for you. I jest in tune with you, but I do hope you are running next year.
I could certainly give Cleese a run (or a hobble-waddle) for his money! Thank you for jesting …. Laughter tends to be the medicine of choice chez moi. Your good wishes are appreciated.
Oh dear – I’m sorry to read that your foot is deciding to be quite independent in its thinking – I hope it can get licked back into shape in the fullness of time and you will be running again next summer. The photo is perfect for the Mirror challenge. 🙂
That makes me feel MUCH better …. That I have an independent thinking foot! Thank you Elaine 😊
Oh my…..sounds like you really did do a number on your entire leg….how nice of your foot to remind you of all that….I hope that your second visit with the MD gives you some relief…girlfriend….mY- mY- mY that’s all I can say….you better do as the doctor tells you!!! Be good to you…and a good bottle of wine couldn’t hurt either I am sure of that…I await the time we can talk via the airwaves, may the Apple doctor heal your Mac attack…lol we used to give the patients “Zinc 220mg and vitamin C” for healing when they broke there bones….just sayin it can’t hurt to help the process…………sending you white energy……and a little fairy dust….Namaste my friend……
Thank you Sista Sunshine 🌞 …. I am behaving and I will certainly get onto the Vit C and Zinc. Your fairy dust has arrived and turbo charged my swim just now …. That I AM allowed to do. Mac is back on Monday so let’s have a natter next week …. I promise not to whinge (too much 😂😂😂) xx
Whinge away….glad you can swim….love to natter with you…..until them….be good !!!! send hugs…
🤗
Knowing is “good”, I hope you get some great help, and be running much sooner than next summer. <3
Thank you, dear friend! I always say you can if you will so now I need to prove my own mantra!
<3
Good grief. You certainly do manage to go for the gusto Ms. Osyth! Walking around with all that sounds like way too much stiff upper lip – I’d have been whinging from day one. Come to think of it, I’ve had a sore knee ever since that twat knocked me off the bike in Paris in April, so I can sympathize….although nothing as severe as your foot. But doctors and all that – pfft! If the truth hurts, let’s hope it gets you healed at least for a 5K by next summer! Bon courage xo
Thank you, Mel! Believe me that stiff upper is melting fast …. and the bloody mindedness must surely help me along. Knees are very tricky so I hope you are looking after yours. And at least it was a Parisienne cycle accident which has some romance rather than sliding on some shale on a small Scottish hillock 😂😂😊
Well, no disgrace missing a step on Arthur’s Seat – if I recall it’s pretty steep! Also one of my favorite places, along with Edinburgh in general. Stay well!
So sorry to hear of your woes, get better quickly, but take care of yourself and keep up the lovely writing.
The photo is lovely – looks like a perfectly formed letter A on its side.
Arby I would love to tell you that the A was intentional and just for you but this would be a gross lie …. Thank you so much for your kind wishes and I will keep on writing with such lovely encouragement 😊
How rotten! The swimming will help, but let’s hope for effective treatment on its way asap.
Definitely a big fat oh bugger moment. The good news is that I like the second specialist which is much of the battle. It’ll be a long road but I’m a stubborn cuss so I’m not giving in 😉
Good job for the second specialist that you like him then!
Very good job 😉
You have probably by now earned the right to moan & groan some. That’s how I justify my moans and groans.😊
What I’m about to paste to this comment is a brief Thank You that I wrote in my about page (that will never be done😕). It doesn’t really go with this post, but I’m doing it anyway…
1474124637-picsay
“Thank you to Oysth, Catherine Whittier, Samantha Larson and Edward Hopper (1882 – 1967).
Thank you for being a voice for those that fear the public exposure, to the following generations as an example of how love, conviction and persistence can enhance our world and for all of us that might need a reminder now and then of how life could be lived.”
i’m_going.home
I have no words. I am humbled and flattered by your words. Thank you. Just thank you. 💖
So sorry dear Fiona!
Thank you a dearest Lynn …. It’s not the best but it’s certainly not the worst either xx
Yes that is so true! xoxoxo
Dear Fiona, so sorry that your foot has not been healing back to “normal” and wish I could mic up a “spell” or “magic potion” but am very glad you are not going to spend too much time worrying. The two Lyme’s are going to be okay, no “mightbees” as you said. I wonder why the foot is flopping and if there are exercises or therapy helping? Sending you healing and hopeful thoughts, my dear. xo ~ <3 Robin
The foot flopping is due to nerve damage. The perineal nerve which runs from the top of the fibular to the end of the big toe suffered in some way when the break occured. I had a test yesterday which together with the MRI should help the doctor determine whether he can surgically free it or whether it is a question of wait and let it grow back (I have learned that nerves grow back at 1mm a day) which will likely take a year and I would have to face that it might never fully regain itself. There are far far worse things and I must count my blessings!
Fiona, still sad that the healing will take a year and may not fully recover. Yes, there are worse things and you are one who will make the best of this, sense of humor intact, Check! Hugs sent for temporary relief while prayers were sent when the first post cane out and will continue to “bend the ear of the Man upstairs!” xoxo
Thanks for listening and enjoying the Micah story about how he would spend his money wisely. He cracked me up this weekend, as usual. Such a clever (if I dare say) lad. 🙂 🙂
He sounds wise and wisdom is the greatest of gifts. I remember when my last daughter was born a dear friend in England commented that she was an old soul whereas her sisters were through for the first time. She has been proven right so many times as the youngest eclipses her older sisters in the decisions she makes. They still treat her like a baby and it really makes me smile …. I wonder if they will ever notice the quietly wise decisions she makes while they are all a-hollering! Micah is a gift, but you know that. And you, Robin are a gift in my life. Thank you so much for your kindness and if the kind officials at USCIS let me back in next year for what should be a 2 year stay, then I will certainly be over to buy you a coffee and some fabulous cake xx
I will have plenty of room on my credit card to travel your direction, this would be a joyous occasion. My youngest daughter (Felicia) observed her older brother and sister’s choices, making good ones on her own. Now, Micah is my little joy, shadowing me in many Sunday’s journeys and adventures. Thank you for sharing how your youngest daughter may be an old soul. <3
mic = mix (oops! 🙂 )
Mix or mic it I’ll take either!!!!
Thank you for your lovely thoughts and mention. My lyme is being very quiet right now and I’m getting so much done, but you, my dear friend are not doing so well, I see. I can’t believe the damage done in that one “small” mis-step, proving that you do not do things half-baked. I am relatively nearby and could render any assistance necessary. Say the word and I will be at your beck and call. Your empathetic pal, Clare. (Roxie and ZuZu send their love to you and the Bean.)
oh, yeah, I do recall… 🙁
* * *
I’m droppin’ by today “en vitesse”, just to wish you: bon anniv’! happy b’day! my very best, dear Fiona: health, joy, love and friendly hugs… <3
Thank you very much my dear …. your thoughtfulness means much and my leg, I will overcome. Eventually 😉 x
Oh dear you have been having a tough time. I hope you’re making good progress and will soon be back to your normal self. Take care O.
Thank you so much! I’m still standing (if mainly on one leg) and that is much to be grateful for
Just saying hello and hoping you are well on your way to healing!
Thank you ….. I search for the tiniest signs of improvement with the impatience of a small child on Christmas Eve …. Hope is not a favourite word of mine but I’m hoping!
Oh! Poor you! I hope everything will be fine soon…take care…
Sounds like you are an HP fan..if yes, then Hi5… 🙂
I am very sorry that it took me so long to read this! I hope you are feeling better! The whole thing sounds quite unpleasant. 🤕
I am in awe that you have actually been able to walk at all. Amazing leg/ankle you got there!
ONe of the most fascinating things for me was the moment the Doctor imparted the extent of the damage, I began to worry and the worry produced more pain. Up until then I had been blissfully ignorant. That said, I would rather know so that I can have a chance of getting back to normal walking one day. But the power of the mind is incredible and we do well to use it wisely 🙏🏼
Yes it is. Amazing to think how powerful our minds/thoughts are. Power to create illness and immense turmoil, as well as to heal and bring utmost peace! I hope you will soon walk lightly and with ease. 🙏
Sometimes it is good to have hardship because it is an opportunity to open the mind a little more to the greater hardship that many suffer and to work towards an enlightened life that in its turn helps not hinders others.
Thinking if you and hoping for the best, Osyth. 🙂 xo
Thank you so much Tonya – that means a lot!
🙂🌻
Thank you so much for linking my post …. I am both honoured and flattered and wish you a Very Happy 20017