September 5, 2001
This journael entry is more of an diary entry than a story that teaches a lesson.
These past few weeks have been a real trial for me. Dealing with a temporary disability while juggling how you're going to get around campus and town. I've had to do a lot of physical work that I have never had to do before. I admit that I'm out of shape, but when you see someone with crutches, it's because of a sporting injury or during a activity where the people who are participating aren't out of shape? At least that's what I think of when I see someone with crutches. So trying to lug around my body with no upper arm strength whatever has caused me to work up a sweat like I have never done before. And now, with the South Dakota temperatures climbing higher and higher each day, I have to take more showers to clean up. And that's where my story really begins.
It was after I had gotten all of my belongings moved into my new room. I went down to the bathrooms at 11:30 at night to clean up. I shower late, I know, but then I avoid the morning rush. I was still on crutches and one leg at the time. But there's this raised tile barrier that prevents water from going into the rest of the bathroom area. I didn't want to risk jump over it without crutches, so I put one over the barrier and tried going over with them. Not a good idea! The floor was wet, and I slipped and fell to the floor.
Now let me back up a bit... My doctor had advised me to not put any kind of weight on my knee until two weeks after surgery. The two weeks weren't up yet. I ended up having to use both of my legs to get up off the floor. Then I had to try showering as well. Not easy balancing your weight on one foot while bending down to pick up your shampoo and whatever else. I finished the shower and went back to my room down the hall.
I cried for much of the night after that sue to the pain in my knee and leg and I was also homesick. I have never been homesick before. I wanted to finish recovering at home where I knew everything was safe and I had people there to help me with whatever I needed. No, I was 4 hours away from home, and had no help. Even though I have a roommate, I'm not going to ask her to help me with the same things asI would my parents. I'm worried that I reinjured my knee and will have to have surgery again. That's why I'm contacting all the needed people here on campus, and getting that shower incident cleared up. There's a ramp in the shower area now, but that doesn't take care of the fact that I may be in for more wheelchair, therapy, or surgery time.
Like I said, I'm not sure if there's a lesson to this entry, but I know that I can't give up. I've got to heal up and deal with whatever exercise I need to do. My mom said that she didn't want me turning out to be a "cry baby" but I'd like to have a little more reassurance that that. but there's gonna be a lot more crap to deal with down the road.
-Kimmy