broken what?

fractured talus

The leg bone's connected to the....

To be more accurate, the tibia and fibula are connected to the foot by way of the talus bone.

Important much?

Read about this critical bone here.

I personally can't get much further than a few lines before I get queasy...queasy imagining my own healing talus.


Did I mention how lucky I am to have had only one surgery? The surgeon had forewarned us if he went in and the tissue didn't look good he'd have to do the surgery in two parts. The tissue looked good. Shew!!

this boot is not made for walkin'

Today was the day.

X-ray taken night of accident

Well, three weeks ago it all started, almost exactly to the minute. It seems like an eternity, but it's only been three weeks since my accident. Unbelievable.

Anyway, I went for my two week surgical follow-up today. The surgeon only sees patients on Mondays, hence it being more like a three week follow-up.

One of my dear friends, along with her 3-year old, came and picked me up this morning. After gassing up we headed to Eggspectation for breakfast. Then we went to Michael's where I bought a few things to keep me busy while I'm convalescing, to include a coloring project. (You're never too old to color. It's actually a velvet poster you color in with the markers provided.) Also on the agenda is crochet. Yep, I'm going to give crocheting a try. I bought a book, a skein of yarn in "cherry", and a pack of hooks. I now have in my possession a walker, bedside commode, crochet supplies and Rx for stool softeners and cholesterol medicine. I am 41 going on 91.

No, I know many people crochet, young/old, male/female.

I also have my sense of humor still intact.

After Michael's we made the trek up to NOVA (Northern Virginia) and easily found the surgical center. Upon checking in, I was given enough paperwork to make one think they'd end up with a house after filling it all in and signing it. I was called back not too much later. The tech removed soft cast #2 (soft cast #1 had been replaced the other night--1/9/13--during a trip to the ED after having calf pain and being cleared of DVT.) My foot was a little more swollen than that night, but the incision was still just as pristine. Off to radiology I went and my foot was X-rayed.

A resident then came in and she got an earful about my tailbone pain. Then the surgeon came in, advised me they wouldn't be able to do anything for me in regard to my tailbone since there isn't much that can be done even if it was broken. "Continue to use the butt donut and pain meds." The sutures were removed from my foot and steri-strips are now in place. They showed me my X-rays from before and after. I'm to use my CAM boot for the duration of the next nine weeks. Nine weeks of non-weight bearing on the foot.

X-ray taken 1/14/13

Alrighty then.

I'm finally home after a full, exhausting day romping around in a wheelchair. Big B just got home too.

He had to stop and get a few groceries and brought me home a sweet surprise.

1/9/13

1/14/13

suture removal

CAM boot--actually made for walking, except when on non-weight bearing instructions

healed left hand wound

apple of my eye

Interestingly enough, my trusty iPhone 4S survived the crash seemingly unscathed.

As the days have gone on little things keep popping up, or off, or well, it just has some sort of weird occurrence. Like just now, I was mid-use and suddenly the screen went black. The Apple appeared and just as soon as it happened it powered up as if I'd powered it down.

I didn't realize until yesterday, or the day before, my trusty Society 6 case had sustained its own injury. Right up at the top, left side it's cracked just to the left of the headphone jack to just above the silencer switch. This is frustrating since I'd just replaced the case in late November. I'll have to figure out something to do with the case, once I replace it, since it is so pretty.

As for the phone itself, it may be time to look into switching to the 5. I haven't been too interested in doing so, since it is different in size, it has different charging accessories and I've been happy with the 4S. Maybe I'll just switch to another 4S. We shall see!

daily routine

Wake up, say a couple curse words as I rise, visit BSC, return to bed, ask for breakfast with coffee, peruse 'net, watch TV, shower every other day, do some leg exercises, peruse 'net, watch TV, reposition 500 times, visit with whomever else may be around, read, play games, nap, ask for lunch, peruse 'net, watch TV, do some leg exercises, peruse 'net, watch TV, read, play games, head out to couch if up to it, reposition 500 times, eat dinner, peruse 'net, watch TV, do some leg exercises, visit with whomever else may be around, peruse 'net, watch TV, read, play games, night time routine, go to bed, wake up...repeat.

I think my hand may be at 95%!!!!! That means I can use it without pain and with full range or motion at 95%!! Along with that, all movement, especially going from lying down to sitting up, has improved and I'm feeling less pain daily! My ribs are still tender and my ankle has been basically pain free with only a few bursts or jolts here and there. Now if my tailbone would just ease up on me...

on the road again

I did it.

Well, not by myself. Big B helped. Speaking of him helping - I have to give the guy tremendous credit. He has been my angel through this whole ordeal. He's gone way above and beyond the vows.

I told him earlier today I'd like to take a drive....get out of the house. He wanted to return some items friends had left after our latest party. Perfect, what better opportunity to get out of the house for a quick trip.

He gathered a sock & shoe for my left foot, my jacket and poised the car for easy entry. I trucked on over to the garage using the walker, slid into the front seat and away we went. At first my tailbone was sent into its recent sharp tantrums, but after a few minutes the heated seats eased it into submission. We delivered the above-mentioned items, picked up dinner and returned home. I was ready to get back to a more cushioned seat by the time we returned an hour and a half later, but it was so good to get out of the house!

We did go the route of the accident scene and I didn't have any problem with it. I won't be driving myself for a while so it'll be interesting to see how I do the first couple of times out. I'll be honest, the thought makes me nervous.

You know how they say many accidents happen close to home? Try 3-5 minutes from home.

Speaking of angels and dinner, we've been ultimately blessed with some great friends. Meals have been provided and we still have people willing to cook for us. It's especially helpful since I can't go upstairs where the kitchen is yet (not to mention I can't stand on one foot for long periods) and it helps relieve Big B from coming home after work to have to cook dinner and tend to me, along with everything else. I think I'm going to hit AW up to make dinner one of these nights. He's got a couple of dishes under his belt and I can also see if he'd want to follow a recipe.

This is the hand I injured in the accident, a couple days after

healing right a long

scabs are coming off, usually by snagging and then clipping

collateral damage

At the scene of the accident

At the tow lot

Gotta love how the Chevy bow held up

I've been in a few fender benders. As is said, the day after is horrible for feeling the physcial aftereffects. I've never been in such a major accident and I must say feeling the aftereffects NEARLY TWO WEEKS LATER IS TIRESOME!

Granted--I do have broken ribs and they take around 6-8 weeks to heal. I should really give myself a break, but going from 60 to zero in one evening's drive really wears thin. All I can do is sit around, or well, lie around. Sure I can read, watch tv, learn to knit, complete oodles of word searches, and nap....but after a while....

It doesn't help that all that sitting around in nursing school aggravated my tailbone and so now you can add that as a collateral effect of my accident. To sit upright I have to sit with a pillow halfway under each butt cheek, leaned against yet more pillows.

Then there's the plantar fasciitis -- diagnosed earlier in 2012. Of course, I have it in both heels, but karma works in mysterious ways and my left heel is my worst heel for PF, not the right one. I'd told the physical therapist when she was here for a visit the other day that despite all my injuries, I somehow came away with less pain from the PF in my left heel than I'd been experiencing. Duh. Pain meds help with all sources of pain...NOT JUST THE SURGICALLY REPAIRED ANKLE PAIN (non-existent now) and the broken rib pain!!

I am thankful I can feel the pain. I'm not paralyzed and I am alive. Over time the ribs will heal, the heels can be managed, the bruises are healing and the bruised areas are no longer as tender.

With all this time I've spent many an hour reflecting on well, everything. Prior to the accident I'd prayed a lot about being given some time to be able to sit back and make some decisions on where I want to be career-wise.

Be careful what ya wish for...

I haven't come up with much. I do still have a job; that job being the one I last spoke of when I last spoke of my work. I started (not that I ever really stopped) the job search in Spring, to no avail. I've been on a few interviews and it just seems that the perfect job is still lingering, but is ton not be held until later.

So, this time off will give me a chance to gain some perspective. I'd also spoken of returning to school, which is still a goal.

Right now, my priority, aside from my guys and my pets, is to heal.

I'm a work in progress.

I'm being cared for by home health. This has been a great opportunity for scoping out home health in action. I've toyed with the idea of going that route. Physical therapy will be visiting me twice a week. Nursing will see me 1-2 times a week, depending on my lungs. Occupational therapy stopped by yesterday and wrote me off, basically at my request. I don't need much as far as OT is concerned, since I am lucky to have all my faculties in place and don't need to learn how to do my ADLs again. The OT in the hospital gave me enough tips to keep in my arsenal and I always have their number if something else comes up.

This evening has been rough. Right now I'm being held together with ibuprofen and Flexeril. Frustratingly enough, I think I'm coming down with the flu.

Like I said, "a work in progress" and many a construction zone goes through some speed bumps on the path to the finished product.

this is not a bucket list item

It's about 4:40 pm, 12/24/12.

What should I do first? I'm scheduled to work from 11-7. As soon as I get home I can shower and get ready for work, then cook Christmas Eve dinner while spending time with the guys and then I can nap before my shift. Normally we let the boys open one present Christmas Eve and give them their pajamas to wear for Christmas morning. This works, because if we (I) take any pictures at least I'll be somewhat presentable in the photos.

I just need to get home and get everything done. The phone rings, I pick it up and answer it.

There's a patch of ice.

Oh shit! I swerve to correct my skid, then swerve again and that's it! The trees! I can see the trees and it's going to be right here that I die!

Suddenly everything is happening at once. It looks like my right arm has been severed at my elbow. Ouch, that hurt! Woosh! Bam! Beep.

Crunch.

"This is Onstar. Mrs. Scannon, are you in need of assistance?"

"I've been in a car accident. I've run offroad into some trees. I have injuries. My ankle hurts pretty bad."

"Mrs. Scannon, can you give me your location?"

I divulge my location and at this point I can hear someone running toward my car. "Are you ok?!?" "Yes, I feel like my level of conscious is slipping."

By this time someone else has arrived on scene. "Has 911 been called?" "Yes, she's on the line with Onstar right now."

The first responder has introduced himself to me. He lives on the property I've just arrived at, not so gracefully. His wife has come down the hill by now, covered me with a blanket, taken Big B's number down and is going back up to their house to make the call.

I've assessed myself as best I can while trying to remain conscious and it seems my right arm is intact with no bleeding, but my right ankle seems to be pinned at the gas pedal and the console wall. The gentlemen have sprayed the engine of my car with a fire extinguisher and I have to fight a coughing fit since the smoke from the extinguisher was so brutal. I no longer see the black swirls in front of me, but I'm still scared. My abdomen is burning so I remove my seatbelt.

"Alive?" "Yes, she's alive. We're waiting on the ambulance Onstar has called for." "Should we call 911 again?" "I did and they said and ambulance is on its way." "What is taking so long?!" "The roads are bad right now."

Big B and LB have arrived. AW is home with the animals. Once they discover I'm okay they start trying to find my essentials. My purse had somehow wedged itself into the glove compartment. My wallet isn't in it. They collect my phone, while making sure I remain okay.

Finally EMS arrives. We saw the blue lights of the deputy's cruiser first, then the ambulance and fire truck. The EMTs assess me and make an extrication plan. Nothing is ever easy with me. Being conscious they couldn't just slap the c-collar on, pivot me and slap me on the backboard. I ended up having to pivot myself out head first, onto my left leg, then onto the backboard and stretcher.

The ride to the hospital was brutal. It seemed to take forever and we must have hit every pothole in the city.

After x-rays and CT scans were done it was discovered my ankle was broken at the Talus bone and the ortho group associated with this hospital doesn't repair that fracture. They had to transfer me up to Northern VA where they do fix that bone.

Meanwhile, I had to become "bitchy patient" for a bit since the c-collar was biting into my scalp as if it had tiny little teeth. I kept having to ring the call bell. "Can I please get some pain medicine!?" At this point I hadn't even received anything for my actual injuries. Once I was cleared for c-spine, they removed the collar and I was almost pain free. Ha.

Come to find out I also have two rib fractures on my right side, the back of my left hand has a large, deep abrasion and is severely bruised, my left knee is also severely bruised, there's an abrasion on my left shin, and of course I have the obligatory seatbelt injuries by way of bruising across my right breast, upper mid-chest and across my entire abdomen.

Fast forward to Christmas Day. The guys opened presents at home and brought mine in for me to open while I was still in the ED at the 2nd hospital. It was great to see their faces and be hugged by them.

The waiting game was on again, but it wasn't too terribly long before admission and surgery orders were written. I was wheeled up to the Ortho Unit and the guys made their way back home.

I'm now in a short leg cast from my right toes up to my right knee. The Talus bone could have ended up being fixed in two surgeries, depending on my tissue status, but luckily they were able to do it in one fell swoop. I was also consulted on by the trauma surgery department for my broken ribs.

The worst part of this is LB was home on leave after his intial training in the Air Force and left Friday morning, so I wasn't able to spend too much time with him.

He left and is safely tucked away at his first base in Montana.

I'm living downstairs in AW's room since it has outside access as well as a bathroom, therefore making me not have to go upstairs until my ribs are healed.

We moved this past summer. We went from 2100 sq. ft. colonial in a suburban development to a 3000 sq. ft. log cabin tucked away in the woods not too terribly far from where we lived before. My bedroom is on the top floor. Someday I'll master the stairs and return to my little master suite. As for now, I'm surrounded by Steelers paraphernalia, a bedside commode, a walker and various essentials that help me remain as comfortable as possible.

Currently, I'm under doctors orders for non-weight bearing status on my right foot. That's why I'm using a walker. My ribs will hopefully heal well, sooner than later. My left hand is tender and gripping a walker isn't easy, but it's what I have to do right now. The other bruises are healing. I have some sort of sciatic nerve problem that was aggravated by sitting all those hours in nursing school studying, so it makes positioning a little problematic. I have about six pillows, in various different sizes and puffiness, I may be using at any one time.

I"m thankful my family and I are surrounded by the caring, generous helpful people we have in our lives. Meals are being provided. A friend is staying with us to help out. We've hired a housekeeper to come in periodically to help maintain the cleanliness of the house. Many people will be helping with the animals when Big B is working and AW is at school.

Making order out of chaos is my speciality.

I'm lucky to be alive and thankful for it!

ouisa boudreaux

Everything was going along just fine. That is until I ran out of my levothyroxine. Had my uterus and all its paraphernalia yanked along with it back in October. Since then not a hotflash to be had or a bitchy word to expel unto any victim. Then I had to go and run out of those eensy-weensy little pills. Ever hear "nurses make the worst patients"? I do nothing to dispel that theory.

I am well on my way to being slapped like Ouisa Boudreaux.

Have no idea what in the hell I'm talking about? Well, what is your major malfunction? Youth? A penis? Live under a rock?

Ouisa Boudreaux is Shirley MacLaine's character in Steel Magnolias. If you still have no idea, may I suggest this nifty little thing called Google, and then Netflix.

Ouisa Boudreaux is grumpy. At times, she is downright bitchy, hence being slapped by one of her best friends.

Anyway,

I refilled my Rx of levothryroxine today in hopes of not being slapped any time soon. I really hope that these mild, little heat spells I've had recently, totaling about 2-3, and the major outrage of PMS-like bitchiness are due to my inability to stay on top of my refills and not the dreaded "m" word. Let's not get into the situational crap going on in my reality...

shocked to see my blog!

I was named in the top 50 blogs for student nurses to read at onlinelpntorn.org back in April 2011. Wow! I wish I'd have know back then. Thanks!

it's that simple

dormify.com