The Ankle

It's amazing what just 2 seconds can do to one's life. I was busy getting props together for our opening at VBS a few weeks ago - mind fully focused on the task before me and the limited time to get it all done. I crossed the backstage at full speed with my eyes focused on the part of the stage that was extended - forgetting that the whole stage was not extended. I quickly walked off the end at full throttle only to drop 18 - 24" where my ankles, which have always been weak, buckled and sent me sprawling forward.

As soon as I was able to turn over, I knew it was bad. The incredible immediate pain and then numbness told me this was not just a sprain this time. It was easy to see that the left ankle was broken and we were not sure about the right. My co-director, Lisa, was quickly at my side along with some others as we determined the next step (no pun intended). After some debate, we decided we needed to call 911 and asked that they come without sirens. The first responders got there right away and told us the ambulance was on it's way. The next hurdle - 400 kids were due to come in and sing in just a few minutes. We managed to get the paramedics in right before the kids and then let the kids in. While they all sang, I was behind the stage with all the medical help getting IV morphine and on to the stretcher. My next request was that we leave after the kids were dismissed. It all worked out perfectly as I was set to go just as the kids were let out to their next event.

X-rays and a meeting with the orthopedist determined that the left ankle was broken in 3 places and would need surgery. The right was a bad sprain. I was admitted to the hospital and put on the surgery docket for the next day. I finally had surgery at 7:00 the next evening and have begun the healing process. I ended up with a plate with 5 screws and then 2 other screws to hold bones together in another place. 2 weeks with feet up and then we'll go from there. I have a nifty scooter to get me around the house. Getting out of the house is quite a process so it's pretty much been the blue recliner and me for the past 10 days.

We are overwhelmed with all the help we've gotten from family and friends. Meals, gifts, treats, running errands, running kids, and on and on. Sometimes it takes something "bad" to happen to help you realize how "good" you have it. We are blessed - I am blessed. And no, I had not just prayed for patience!