Living Well on Crutches

On New Year's Day I slipped and fell mid-switchback on an icy ridge. When I stood back up, I realized immediately that I couldn't bear weight on my left leg. The following 6 weeks were full of ups and downs: doctor visits, x-rays, a work/ski trip to Utah, a canceled ski trip to Jackson, crutches, dance parties, ice packs, a hangout session with Glen Plake, and a general sense of frustration not knowing what the hell was going on with my ankle.

It was finally suggested that I get an MRI, and my instinct was right on: in addition to the torn ligaments (sprain), I did some damage to both my talus bone and its cartilage. Surgery may or may not happen, depending on my pain level when the sprain and bone bruise are more or less resolved. Back on the crutches again!

Not thinking about the new snow... not thinking about the new snow...

I've been on crutches before, but it takes a few days of struggling (and maybe a little whining) before you learn some tricks to living well with these damned things:

1. Get a small backpack, messenger bag, or fanny pack (Jammy Pack?!?) and keep it with you all the time. Mine has a phone, wallet, keys, lip balm, meds, water bottle, and room for random things I need to carry from one place to another.
2. Get a disabled parking permit as soon as possible. 
3. If anyone offers you help with anything, take it. Those 10 steps you save on the crutches could be used for something you have to do on your own later.
4. Do your grocery shopping at a mega-store with electric scooters. They are awesome!
5. If you have a dog, you won't be going on any leashed walks anytime soon. Thank you dog parks! Just make sure you don't crutch through dog poo... eew.
6. Keep your body moving. This is as important for your mental health as it is for maintaining your physical health. Swimming is a great way to get exercise with a broken body.
7. Drive-thrus! Drive-thrus! We have quite a few here in Bend: Prescriptions, thai food, ATM's.... these are a lifesaver if you are exhausted from crutching around everywhere.
8. And finally, love your caretaker, if you are lucky enough to have one!