My Leg Log

[pumpkinpi]

I split this off from BMR Lite, because it's not really Lite, and I figure y'all could ignore me more easily here.

I can't believe it's been a whole business week already. When I decided on Wednesday to stay home the whole week, I thought it would be impossible to get through two more days alone all day. But Thursday was much better--more energy and less pain. I spent a fair amount of time at the table doing some work.

And today I have a couple things to look forward to. We're going out to dinner--yay! I'm easing in to my first trip out. We belong to a country club, so we have a reservation there. We know I can navigate in easily, and the staff will be accommodating. So I'll be able to see how well I do away from a couch for a couple hours, to get ready for all day next week!

And I ordered a rental knee scooter. It's going to be so hard getting around work on crutches, not being able to put any weight on my leg. So I hope this will be a little easier. The company that rents the scooter delivers--I just called and they are coming over at noon today!

[Thumper]

I was going to suggest a scooter but didn't know if it would work for you. I've had two co workers with leg injuries/surgeries recently. As soon as Brian graduated from the scooter, Wilma needed it and he bequeathed it to her. They look fun!

[SciFiFisher]

The scooters definitely offer more mobility than crutches.

[geonuc]

Will the scooter come with racing stripes or cool flame decals?

[pumpkinpi]

Will the scooter come with racing stripes or cool flame decals?

It's a rental, so as long as I can Goo Gone them off, I can decorate as I wish!

[pumpkinpi]

Back at work! Kinda excited, kinda overwhelmed. It was already going to be a killer week, leading up to a big event this weekend. I think I'm going to be able to get around ok on the scooter. But I'm not looking forward to sitting on my butt for up to 9 hours, not to mention working my brain for that long! And my leg hurts already. I do know, I'm going to be pooped tonight. And dammit, I have to take a shower. That's the hardest thing to do.

[Thumper]

Yep. Everything takes more time and much more energy.

[Rommie]

Saw this post earlier but didn't have time to post with the conference insanity. Sorry to hear about your broken leg, pumpkinpi. And man does it increase my paranoia now when walking on uncleared surfaces. How is it that when you're a kid you just bounce off?!

[SciFiFisher]

Saw this post earlier but didn't have time to post with the conference insanity. Sorry to hear about your broken leg, pumpkinpi. And man does it increase my paranoia now when walking on uncleared surfaces. How is it that when you're a kid you just bounce off?!

your bones are made of rubber.

[Thumper]

Not when you jump off the couch with a sheet tucked into your collar screaming "Superman!"

[pumpkinpi]

Not when you jump off the couch with a sheet tucked into your collar screaming "Superman!"

Speaking from experience?

[Thumper]

1969, Buffalo New York.
Spiral fracture of the right tibia.

[pumpkinpi]

Oh, that does not sound good.

Yesterday wasn't so bad. I learned that I can make it through a work day on my scooter. But it was a nice little experiment and I'm ready for it to be over!

Today is a bit tougher. My leg is swelling up and I just can't get comfortable. And I'm pooped. And I'm stuck here, of course. Well, I guess I could Lyft it home......

[Thumper]

I remember the only thing that bothered me was when they went to cut the first cast off. I thought that cutter was a spinning buzz saw and was going to slice right through my leg. Nobody bothered to tell me that it just vibrated.
Can you get you leg up on a desk or a chair to keep it elevated? That's what both my co workers did. It looked a little "kicked back and unprofessional" but so what.

[pumpkinpi]

I can put it up at various times through the day, but in some meetings and at my cube it's impossible. I just need to get up and take a scoot around the museum every hour or so, which is no different than what I do when I am able.

A broken leg sucks! Don't ever do it.

[Rommie]

Duly noted!

How long are you going to be immobile again? Don't recall if you mentioned it.

[pumpkinpi]

Duly noted!

How long are you going to be immobile again? Don't recall if you mentioned it.

I'll find out tomorrow morning when I see the specialist.

[Rommie]

Good luck!

[pumpkinpi]

Good news, no surgery needed. Bad news, I shouldn't put any weight on it for a few more weeks. Ugh. Not walking without aid sucks!

I have a conference in Columbus in the beginning of February. I'm probably not going to go. Getting through the airport(traveling alone) from the hotel to COSI every day (it's close enough that they don't offer a shuttle, so everyone takes the ~15 minute walk) and around COSI for sessions all day....such a hassle. There are solutions, of course. Wheeled transport at the airport, Lyft from the hotel, helpful colleagues. But no way would I go with just crutches, and getting the scooter in and out of cars/ airplanes is a pain. It tires me out just thinking about it.

Bummer, too, because I was hoping to meet up with Thumper! I put off contacting you, because I figured canceling was a possibility.

But I am going to follow doctor's orders, so I am healed enough by Brexit time to get around England without pain!

[Thumper]

That's a bummer, but the right thing to do is heal up. COTA (bus service) does offer shuttles for passengers that need assistance, but not sure about the process. You can get transportation most everywhere through the airport but hogging the scooter around and climbing on and off the plane would be a pain. Can you force one of your employees to be your personal assistant on the trip?

And actually, we'll be in San Diego the first week in Feb. We might have missed you anyway.

Hopefully next year.

[Swift]

Good news, no surgery needed. Bad news, I shouldn't put any weight on it for a few more weeks. Ugh. Not walking without aid sucks!

I have a conference in Columbus in the beginning of February. I'm probably not going to go. Getting through the airport(traveling alone) from the hotel to COSI every day (it's close enough that they don't offer a shuttle, so everyone takes the ~15 minute walk) and around COSI for sessions all day....such a hassle. There are solutions, of course. Wheeled transport at the airport, Lyft from the hotel, helpful colleagues. But no way would I go with just crutches, and getting the scooter in and out of cars/ airplanes is a pain. It tires me out just thinking about it.

Bummer, too, because I was hoping to meet up with Thumper! I put off contacting you, because I figured canceling was a possibility.

But I am going to follow doctor's orders, so I am healed enough by Brexit time to get around England without pain!

I did go to a conference back when I had my broken leg and was on crutches. I did get a lot of sympathy during my talk, but it was otherwise a miserable experience. And the only way I managed it was with help from co-workers also on the trip. Even still, I ate a lot of room service because I didn't want to bother navigating to a restaurant. I'm sorry, but I think you are smart not to go.

[pumpkinpi]

So Saturday I just crashed and did nothing all day. I needed to rest that leg from being up and around all week. It was actually pretty miserable, and I was wallowing.

Sunday I felt better. I went to work for a few hours to assist at a big Space Festival we had, and I had a big part in the planning. I would have worked most of the weekend if I were mobile, but I was happy to do the shift I could! I was at a table for a few hours so it wasn't so bad.

Yesterday (MLK) was actually a day off. The kids were off and MrPi was working so we were shut in all day (too cold to go out anyway). Again, I pretty much stuck to the couch, but kept spirits up and was able to play some games with the kids. Miraculously they each spent less than two hours on screens. They kept themselves occupied otherwise. They are working on the 6000+ piece Hogwarts Lego set and they are loving it!

The best part of the day was when MrPi got home, and I realized that the first things I complained about were not related to my leg!

Overall I think I'm on the upturn. But I've already been at work for 4 hours, up and around as much as I can, but the leg is getting stiff. I have to host a meeting this afternoon and tomorrow morning, and I'm going to warn the group that I may have to be restless to keep things under control!

[pumpkinpi]

So, I've almost made it through another week. It was definitely better than last week. I have made it through each day without crashing and I'm not to sore at night. Still tired, but overall I feel much better.

It still sucks not being able to drive. I have a meeting at 2 and after that nothing else, and I'm pretty exhausted now and was thinking that I'd head home. Well, no, I can't get there! What is hard is that I'm here from about 7am to after 6pm each day. We leave after the kids get on the bus at 6:50, and then MrPi comes to get me after he gets the kids. Sometimes it's even later, because he has to get one or the other kid to an activity before he gets me. 11 hours in a little cube with florescent lights above me is not that fun....we do have a quiet room and I may just go take a nap after my meeting. I did that a couple times last week.

[Thumper]

Any chance for a taxi or uber home? Maybe a kind co-worker could give you a lift?
(I'm sure you've thought of these things already, so sorry you're stuck there so long.)

[pumpkinpi]

My coworkers have offered to give me rides home, but I'm waiting to take advantage of that only when I really get in a pinch. And for the timing today, someone would have to drive me home and then come back to work.

I've got my scooter and crutches here at work, and I need them both at home for the weekend, so that presents a hassle for a taxi/Lyft. (I do not support Uber's business practices.) Not impossible, but the driver would have to help me in and out of the car and get my mobility assistance devices ready. And the way I have to get into my house, through the garage, I'm really not comfortable with a stranger helping me.

So yes, I have thought through the options....if I were desperate I'd make it happen, but if it's just because I'm a bit tired, it's not worth the hassle!