Well, it's been a while since I wrote anything but it looks like I'm going to have lots of time and no money for the next while. Last Monday we had a town-wide power outage for about an hour during what would have been our regular time for getting up. Fortunately, my alarm had gone off just a few minutes before that so I was fine.
I usually drive someone to work but, alas, had forgotten to get her cell number. So, when I went by to pick her up, I thought I would go up and knock on the door, just in case she had overslept. I opened the car door and stepped out, right into a pot hole. Down I went. It was very painful but I managed to get up just in time to see my friend coming out her front door. I felt lightheaded and that I was going to vomit but shook it off and drove to work.
Once at work, I was having a really hard time getting around from the pain in my right foot. Several of my coworkers were wonderful, getting ice for my foot, making sure it was propped up and, generally expressing concern. Thank you, one and all. By this time I had been at work about 2 hours. I knew I wasn't going to get any work done and I began to notice a small swelling on the side of my foot. Time to head off to the hospital.
I drove myself there and luckily found a parking spot close to the emergency room doors. It was a slow and very painful walk but I managed to make it in. After about 15 minutes they called me into Triage, got me registered, gave me a bag of ice and sent me back out to the waiting room. It was a little awkward because of where the swelling was located but I managed to prop my foot up on a chair and swivel it so I could set the bag of ice on the right spot. Very uncomfortable but I had my cross stitch and knitting with me as well as a few grapes I had planned for a snack at work and a bottle of water, as well as meeting a lovely woman who spent time talking to me and refreshing my bag of ice.
Three hours later they called my name and I got to go through and see a doctor. (I did not mind this wait in any way, there were a lot of people with much higher scaled injuries than mine, i.e. one man had cut off his finger.) The doctor took a quick look at my foot and said he did not think it was broken. That was a great relief because it's my driving foot and hubby doesn't drive. So a technician came by and took me down to get the foot X-rayed. Not too bad until I had to press the sore side of my foot against the table; extreme pain, a little more queasiness and lightheadedness but, I got through it.
Once this was done, they wheeled me back to the ER where I sat for about another hour watching all the trauma cases coming through. Finally the doctor got back to me. The foot was broken; the fifth metatarsal. I would have to be off for two weeks with my leg propped up and see a specialist. Did I mention this was my driving foot?
After I spoke with him, they wheeled me down to the room where they apply the casts, where I sat by myself for about 1/2 hour. By this time it was almost 5:00 pm (I had had the fall at 10:00 am) and most of the technicians had gone home for the day so I had to wait for the doctor to apply the cast. That took about 5 minutes then I had to wait for a nurse to come by with my instructions.
I was getting pretty hungry by this point so asked if I could have a little snack which they very quickly provided (crackers and juice). I then used the phone in the room to call Bruce so he could come get me, then work to let them know I would not be back for a while. One lovely nurse dropped by with a meal tray meant for someone who had gone home. Whoever you were, I shall forever be in your debt because I was going to need the energy once I got home.
Bruce arrived by taxi and wheeled me out. Did I mention this was my driving foot? Now bear in mind, I had on a wet cast, had never experienced a broken bone before, was exhausted and hurting from the fall and a very long day. With a bit of kafuffal, I managed to get into the front seat of the taxi. Many thanks to Layton's for the gentleman who was driving. He was very accommodating and understanding because when we got home I could not let go of the car as I was too tired to stand and hop on one foot. Bruce ran up to our THIRD FLOOR apartment (no elevator) and brought down a chair for me to try and use to get to the front door; no good, I just sat down on it. So, what to do from here. I could not get crutches as the places that had them were all closed for the day. Bruce went up and called my son-in-law but could not reach him, then called his brother, who immediately came over with his son. Great!!!!
Well, folks, the old girl has a bit of weight on her so this was not as easy as it first seemed. They finally got me to the front door where I laid on my back in the entry with my feet hanging out the door. At this point, I said, "I'm fine, you can just leave me here." I was so exhausted and just wanted to go to sleep. They persevered and, I have to say, if someone had been video taping the trip up the stairs, it definitely would have won first prize on one of those home video shows. My nephew was behind me with his arms under mine, my brother-in-law was supporting me on one side, a neighbour who had happened by was supporting me on the other side with Bruce supporting my cast so it wouldn't fall and get broken, and a second neighbour who had knee problems but was giving moral support. So, slowly, with many stops we worked our way up the stairs with me hopping backwards. Once we got to the top of the stairs, Bruce got the computer chair and wheeled me into the apartment, gave me some painkillers and got me into my Lazyboy. That chair never felt so good!
That is it for today. Again, I want to express my gratitude to all the folks at Truro Convergys for their thoughtfulness, the staff of Colchester Regional Hospital for their professionalism and caring, Layton's Taxi for their thoughtful and patient drivers, my brother-in-law and his son, my two downstairs neighbours, and my darling, Bruce, who has been wonderful this past week. Next time I will regale you with more tales of a broken foot.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
February 1st, 2008
I am having a great evening/night. Have had 4 glasses of wine and am on the phone with my friend, Glenda, from London, ON. We are trying to reach our friend, Johnny, who is a little elusive tonight. Johnny, where the hell are you?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
It's a New Year
Finally, 2007 is over. It has been a year of hurt and pain on a personal level. Now, don't get me wrong, since August there have been some amazing things happening.
When the year started, both Bruce and I were working at Convergys. He says he wasn't minding it; I hated it. Would grit my teeth everyday, paint on a fake smile, suck it up and go through "the portal of Hell," as Bruce called. By the time April rolled around, things were about to change quite drastically.
Bruce started spiralling into a deep depression. I struggled to keep going for a while but Bruce's situation combined with some of my own demons, put us both off work in mid-April. Bruce's condition is a life-long struggle; mine, more situational. Fortunately I was able to access some counselling session through my work.
Four years ago this past July, my brother, Jim, passed away unexpectedly. We had not seen him in over 20 years because he lived in Inuvik and, Jim being Jim (loner), we rarely even heard from him. Since he had no phone, we couldn't even contact him. Anyway, the circumstances surrounding his death meant cremation and he arrived home 2 weeks after his death in a tiny little box. The long weekend in August that was meant to be a family reunion was, I suppose you could say, just that, his funeral. Unfortunately, very little closure to the situation. In our younger years, Jim and I had been joined at the hip; he was my idol even though there were 4 years separating us. For months afterward I cried on a daily basis especially in early September as our birthdays are only 3 days apart. Even now as I write this, the tears are starting to flow.
There were some other major occurrences that year, none as major as this but all took a strong emotional toll. That fall, my job ended in Truro and I was transferred to the Enfield office which meant a daily commute of 45 minutes each way. I am not a good traveller at the best of times. However, the job itself I enjoyed so I muddled through.
A year went by and the anniversary of Jim's death. Very rough but I expected that, equally our birthdays. In October my Aunt Babe passed away scrapping the scab of the unhealed wound. Because of the situation, I put off a doctor's appointment then in November began to feel very run down. When I finally made it to the doctor we discovered a lump in my thyroid. Six very long anxious months of tests, mistakes, wrong numbers, misplaced test results, etc. (our health care system at work) and when I finally got to the point of biopsy the lump had shrunk too much to get a sample then finally disappeared on it's own. Throughout this I was on and off my thyroid medication. Hypoactive thyroid can lead to depression and fatigue which, in my case it did.
Now, bear in mind, throughout all of this, I kept my employer apprise of what was taking place and, on the surface, he was very understanding and supportive. Sometime in the spring, just as things were starting to work themselves out, things started turning cold at work. The manager in Enfield kept getting in little digs here and there, insinuating things were about to change for me, etc. Finally, one day I snapped. I take full responsibility for it but it was just what she was looking for. Within a few weeks I was escorted to the door; here's your hat, what's your hurry. And when did this happen? You guessed it. On the eve of the second anniversary of Jim's death. For the next few years I was in and out of work, could never settle down to anything.
After being off work this past summer and the counselling, I am coping a little better. Bruce is on the mend and things are looking up. I am starting to move up at work and have a new vehicle (picked her up this morning).
August was a blast with the Flag Flap and Facebook. I have made so many new and amazing friends: Glenda C., Glenda H.R., Johnny, Charles and all the members of Truro Pride/Rainbow Proud, Abbe and Brian , Raven & Alan, the great people at Convergys (absolutely too many to name), my Scrabulous opponents (Peter, Lorraine, et al), my Pirates bomb buddies (you evil folks), the list goes on and on. Some of you I have known for years; others I just met online a few days ago (Hi, Jassy); some of my Facebook friends I have met in person (now that I have the car I'll be over to your places, Johnny & Abbe); others are travel plans in the works, Glenda in Ontario and Glenda in Cape Breton).
If anyone ever asks what I think of Facebook, I can tell them in no uncertain terms, it has been a lifeline for me. It has gotten my through many lonely days and nights will Bruce has been ill. To all the wonderful folks on my friends list: Thank you for sharing a small part of yourself with me.
Oh, yes, and to Shaun and the Centre of Hope in Halifax, thanks for the Community Impact Award. I still get a thrill whenever I see it, which is every day as it hangs in a very prominent location.
Come on 2008, show me what you've got!
When the year started, both Bruce and I were working at Convergys. He says he wasn't minding it; I hated it. Would grit my teeth everyday, paint on a fake smile, suck it up and go through "the portal of Hell," as Bruce called. By the time April rolled around, things were about to change quite drastically.
Bruce started spiralling into a deep depression. I struggled to keep going for a while but Bruce's situation combined with some of my own demons, put us both off work in mid-April. Bruce's condition is a life-long struggle; mine, more situational. Fortunately I was able to access some counselling session through my work.
Four years ago this past July, my brother, Jim, passed away unexpectedly. We had not seen him in over 20 years because he lived in Inuvik and, Jim being Jim (loner), we rarely even heard from him. Since he had no phone, we couldn't even contact him. Anyway, the circumstances surrounding his death meant cremation and he arrived home 2 weeks after his death in a tiny little box. The long weekend in August that was meant to be a family reunion was, I suppose you could say, just that, his funeral. Unfortunately, very little closure to the situation. In our younger years, Jim and I had been joined at the hip; he was my idol even though there were 4 years separating us. For months afterward I cried on a daily basis especially in early September as our birthdays are only 3 days apart. Even now as I write this, the tears are starting to flow.
There were some other major occurrences that year, none as major as this but all took a strong emotional toll. That fall, my job ended in Truro and I was transferred to the Enfield office which meant a daily commute of 45 minutes each way. I am not a good traveller at the best of times. However, the job itself I enjoyed so I muddled through.
A year went by and the anniversary of Jim's death. Very rough but I expected that, equally our birthdays. In October my Aunt Babe passed away scrapping the scab of the unhealed wound. Because of the situation, I put off a doctor's appointment then in November began to feel very run down. When I finally made it to the doctor we discovered a lump in my thyroid. Six very long anxious months of tests, mistakes, wrong numbers, misplaced test results, etc. (our health care system at work) and when I finally got to the point of biopsy the lump had shrunk too much to get a sample then finally disappeared on it's own. Throughout this I was on and off my thyroid medication. Hypoactive thyroid can lead to depression and fatigue which, in my case it did.
Now, bear in mind, throughout all of this, I kept my employer apprise of what was taking place and, on the surface, he was very understanding and supportive. Sometime in the spring, just as things were starting to work themselves out, things started turning cold at work. The manager in Enfield kept getting in little digs here and there, insinuating things were about to change for me, etc. Finally, one day I snapped. I take full responsibility for it but it was just what she was looking for. Within a few weeks I was escorted to the door; here's your hat, what's your hurry. And when did this happen? You guessed it. On the eve of the second anniversary of Jim's death. For the next few years I was in and out of work, could never settle down to anything.
After being off work this past summer and the counselling, I am coping a little better. Bruce is on the mend and things are looking up. I am starting to move up at work and have a new vehicle (picked her up this morning).
August was a blast with the Flag Flap and Facebook. I have made so many new and amazing friends: Glenda C., Glenda H.R., Johnny, Charles and all the members of Truro Pride/Rainbow Proud, Abbe and Brian , Raven & Alan, the great people at Convergys (absolutely too many to name), my Scrabulous opponents (Peter, Lorraine, et al), my Pirates bomb buddies (you evil folks), the list goes on and on. Some of you I have known for years; others I just met online a few days ago (Hi, Jassy); some of my Facebook friends I have met in person (now that I have the car I'll be over to your places, Johnny & Abbe); others are travel plans in the works, Glenda in Ontario and Glenda in Cape Breton).
If anyone ever asks what I think of Facebook, I can tell them in no uncertain terms, it has been a lifeline for me. It has gotten my through many lonely days and nights will Bruce has been ill. To all the wonderful folks on my friends list: Thank you for sharing a small part of yourself with me.
Oh, yes, and to Shaun and the Centre of Hope in Halifax, thanks for the Community Impact Award. I still get a thrill whenever I see it, which is every day as it hangs in a very prominent location.
Come on 2008, show me what you've got!
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