I broke my leg and my life is a mess

1. 77

   NaomiRposted 13 years ago

   I'm sorry to bother everyone here, but I need to vent to someone...
   
   On April 1, I fell off the bus while exiting and hurt my leg. Turns out, I sprained my ankle, tore a bunch of ligaments and broke my fibula in two places. I was taken to the emergency room and they wrapped it in a bandage, but because it was the middle of Passover and close to Easter, no orthopedic surgeons were on staff and they told me to see an outside ortho.
   
   I did see one that Sat and he told me I need surgery. He set my leg better (popping the bone in, which hurt like hell) and said I'd have to wait a few days until the swelling went down to have surgery. I tried using crutches, but was unable to so we rented a wheelchair. Still, I'm basically bedridden because I need help even getting into the chair.
   
   Surgery was scheduled for this Thurs, April 15. I went in for pre-op testing at the hospital (a different one from the first) and it was fine; but then they called yesterday and said that my white blood cell count is slightly high and now today, I have to go to yet ANOTHER doctor to get clearance.
   
   Meanwhile, my leg is still broken and I'm fearing that it's going to be messed up for life because this is taking so damn long. My husband has been taking care of me and the stress is taking a huge toll on him. I'm worried about the surgery to begin with and am now worried about why my WBC count is high; I'm also in pain and feel like such a burden on everyone. I seriously feel as if I'm having a nervous breakdown. My friends have been helpful, but I still feel very alone and scared right now.

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      Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Okay, first the WBC. The hospital has to worry about infection, that is why the WBC count is a concern, but your stress and pain can keep it high as well, which is why you need to get clearance. Your leg has probably started to heal, when they go in for surgery they will repair whatever damage has been done by the waiting.

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      William R. Wilsonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Your body is very good at healing itself. Don't worry - you'll get past this.   Best wishes.

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      PrettyPantherposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hi Naomi.  There are a few things you can do to give yourself a feeling of control and also to make sure your muscles remain strong.  It doesn't take long for them to weaken when you're lying around all the time.  Has your doctor suggested any kind of simple exercises you can do sitting or lying down?  If not, I would given him/her a call and find out what you could be doing.  At the very least, it will help with your recovery and give you a mental lift, too.
      
      Hang in there.  It will get better!

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      cosetteposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      
      
      
      
      oh Naomi.
      
      i'm sorry to hear that. when i had to have surgery , i took a picture of my son with me and put it in my gown pocket. they let me take it in there, that sterile environment. i told the nurse how scared i was and she held my hand, the angel, saying it will be all right sweetie.
      
      think good thoughts and know that somewhere out there, others are thinking good thoughts for you too
      
      
      (picture taken by me @ the butterfly pavillion)

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   Sab Ohposted 13 years ago

   What do you mean you were unable to use crutches?
   
   And, your leg isn't actually "broken," right?

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      William R. Wilsonposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      "broke my fibula in two places."
      
      You can't resist trolling, can you?

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   earnestshubposted 13 years ago

   Hang tough Naomi! I did the same thing once, messed a back leg up and tore the ligament of my heel. it took 7 months to heal with plaster up to the hip, and while I was in plaster I started a business which made heaps of money for 30 years!
   
   You never know where this is going as it is change, just look for any opportunities that come up, and good luck. I feel sure they will get your leg workin again.

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      Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      "back leg"? Are you a quadroped?

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      travelespressoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Hey Naomi....sorry to hear about your troubles.  I agree with EH's comments.  Things happen for a reason (dammit) and you will get better.  Hopefully you get all of this sorted soon.  Take care.

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4. 77

   NaomiRposted 13 years ago

   Yes, my leg is broken -- in two places. They need to put a rod in and some plates.
   
   I tried using the crutches, but I have some back problems, so I found it extremely difficult to balance them without being in pain. I also kept instinctively putting my injured foot down -- which was excruciating. So the doctor thought it was a better idea for me to use a wheelchair. He says that when I get the actual surgery, my leg will be a lot more stable and things will get easier. I'm planning to work my way up to a walker so I can get around more easily.

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      Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Listen to the Dr. And don't get up before he tells you. The nurses in the hospital got me up three days before the surgeon said to, and boy he was upset! Don't get on your feet until the surgeon says so.

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      Sab Ohposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      How did you fall off a bus and break your leg in two places? Did you have bone density issues?

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   Lecieposted 13 years ago

   i too am having medical difficulties. i have scoliosis in my back. i've had it since i was 12. it's just bad enough to cause me pain everyday. not yet bad enough for surgery. my doctors recommend physical therapy. which does help. but my insurance only covers 30 sessions a year and i need alot more than that. i just get feeling a little better and my insurance stops my sessions.
   i know how you're feeling, almost like you're falling apart and the doctors are not doing anything about it. and isn't it their job to make people well? so why are we suffering?
   right?
   well i just wanted you to know that you are not alone with your pain or your feelings. we are all here to offer our support. it's one of the highlights of hubpages. get well soon.

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6. 77

   NaomiRposted 13 years ago

   Thanks, Lecie,
   
   I appreciate that. What's interesting is that my mom broke her arm while she was hiking in Patagonia about two years ago. She was taken to a local hospital, where she underwent surgery right away. She also had a rod put into her arm. Now her arm is fine. There didn't seem to be as much red tape down there... maybe I should go to that Patagonian hospital!
   
   As for HOW I broke my leg - the bus driver parked over a pothole and when I was getting off the bus, my foot got caught and twisted. I fell forward, but luckily someone caught me before I hit my head.

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      Faybe Bayposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Oh you poor thing! I was sent home when I should have had surgery too. Mine wasn't broken though, just a crush injury, it was the separation of internal tissues and internal bleeding, but that's moot. You have been delayed, but the surgery will be alright I am sure. Just make sure while you are in there that you refer to your Dr and Surgeon all the time.
      Make them have the Dr tell you, see when they got me up, I was supposed to be flat on my back with leg elevated. Three days early they got me on my feet. I still have issues with my hip because of that.

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   Lecieposted 13 years ago

   try suing the busline. at the very least it will cheer you up especially if you win millions. if you do just remember who helped you.
   
   maybe you should go there to get your leg taken care of. but then again i have a hard enough time trusting these hospitals and in some countries they don't have half the health standard we do. for all you know they don't even wash their hands. i would be careful about going there if you decide to. well anyway. hugs to you and stay off that leg.

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8. 77

   NaomiRposted 13 years ago

   I wasn't serious about going to Patagonia, though my mom says it was a very clean and efficient hospital. :-)
   
   I don't know if I'm going to sue the bus line. Everyone is telling me to, but I'm not sure if I want to deal with more stress.

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      Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I am sorry that you tripped and hurt your leg but why would you sue the bus line?

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   Putz Ballardposted 13 years ago

   Hey, sorry to learn of your accident and hope it heals quickly and without any complications.

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10. 0

    ralwusposted 13 years ago

    Best wishes for you Naomi. Pain like that is pure hell, I know. Can your hubby get someone else to help him with you? that was one hell of an April Fools day for you!

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11. 63

    Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

    Naomi, not that I'm glad you've got this leg issue; but I was kind of glad to see "leg thread" because I've been going through a "leg issue" since right after Christmas.
    
    I didn't go to an emergency room (and I know some people, including myself sometimes) have thought I was crazy; but I figured I'd watch it for any real signs of anything "too weird".  The first few days were so horrible I just couldn't imagine going to an emergency room (you know how when women are having a baby, they may say, "I don't want to do this now."?  That's kind of what I had going on.  The pain was so bad I just couldn't deal with getting to a doctor.)  Anyway, after the first few days the pain (still horrible) wasn't quite as bad, so then I figured I'd wait to see if it got better.   As each day went by it was just the slightest bit better (but, again, it's been "a horror show" right up until a few weeks ago, when it got to be more like a "regular" injury/pain thing).
    
    Another reason I couldn't stand the thought of going to a doctor was that I've been through two different times with two casts on at a time - the wheelchair thing, the crutches thing, the casts thing.  I just couldn't stand the thought of going and having some giant brace or cast of whatever "installed" for weeks, giving me that awful feeling I've had twice before, of not being able to move freely.  (I know, on an intellectual level, that's nuts; but someone would have to have walked in my shoes (or should I say, "not been able to walk in them") to understand.
    
    It's clear to me that it has slowly gotten back to normal, and the day before yesterday I finally got up stairs one leg at a time.   I know I'll have to watch what I do, but it pretty much seems like it's on its way back to its old self (and since I'm not a very young self, I figure that's encouraging to you or anyone else).
    
    I know this was one major, nasty, injury.  It started out feeling like "some ligament thing".  Soon, if I tried to bend the leg there was some horrendous "bone thing" at the back of the knee (unless I straightened it out).  Right after that it just felt like there were fractures there as well, and it pretty much felt like the lower leg was detached - so the happy part of this story is that the whole business has healed itself!      (I've kept having it in my head that I'll go to a doctor if/when it seems right, but with the slow, steady, improvement each day; after enough time passed, I just thought, "Why bother at this point?" )  (Obviously, I have a very high bar when it comes to "when it seems right"    )  (I have a lot of faith in the body's ability to heal in a lot of circumstances.)
    
    (I'm not recommending anyone else not see a doctor, but I'm just saying all really can be fine without seeing one. )

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12. 77

    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    Lisa, I'm sorry that you've been going through this with your leg. It is encouraging to hear that yours has improved.

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       Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks, Naomi.  I'm sure yours will too.  (Especially in view of the fact that you'll be getting the medical care eventually.     )

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    Pollyannalanaposted 13 years ago

    But what if everything didn't fuse back into the right place, like I will take flower branches back together to mend but I make sure they are aligned up right,

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       Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Pollyannalana,  It just feels right.  I've had fractures in the past, and one dislocated one that was supposedly set never really healed quite right.  This thing feels right.  It feels like I need to build up strength, and putting weight on it too long makes it ache, but it feels like all those other fractures that healed and took some extra time to get strong and "regular" again.  I could almost see a step-by-step healing taking place.  There was kind of pattern to it - always a good sign, as if it's the way things are designed.  I wasn't at all sure I wasn't going to see a doctor, but it just kind of ended up that way - and now seems to have worked out fine.   I knew I gambled, but much of the time these days they don't immobilize some fractures anyway. The out-of-place thing went back in place, and the "ligament thing" seems to have healed.
       
       I know it was nuts not to go, but this thing just "won the prize" for being horrible - and I guess it made me nuts enough not to be able to make myself do the sensible thing.   
       
       Naomi, I didn't mean to take up too much space in your thread.   Hang in there.  I imagine your leg will be fine.  (It's certainly an unpleasant and painful inconvenience in the meantime, isn't it?  )

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    Daniel Carterposted 13 years ago

    It seems to me that regardless of Passover, or Easter, or anything else, that a qualified Dr should have been available from the beginning to address and properly care for your leg. Additionally, the bus company may be negligent on more than one count, and should probably be responsible for your medical costs.
    
    Of course there may be several other mitigating factors that we are not aware of as you have described the details, but I do think the issues I mentioned above are very possible.

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       Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Daniel (and, of course, Naomi), it seems to me as if they did what they usually do, which is apparently set the bone and left the other "repairs" that may not be such an emergency.  I'm guessing that as long as they did the reduction, it's a matter of time for the fracture to heal.  Since Naomi is off the leg, I'd think that gives it the chance to heal.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I imagine it's safe to trust the doctors' judgment when it comes to the surgery being something that can wait a little while.  (This, of course, coming from someone who didn't go to any doctors.    )
       
       Considering suing that bus company may not be a bad idea, though. 

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15. 82

    CMHypnoposted 13 years ago

    Naomi, I have been wondering where you have been?  Sorry to hear that you have injured yourself.  Would if be worth going to see a physio as well, as they might be able to give you some exercises or treatment to strengthen your back and other muscles so that you could use the crutches?  Also have you thought of trying something like acupuncture for the pain?
    
    I'm sure that you will get through this and we all wish you the best!

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16. 77

    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    I'll be seeing a physio once the leg has had the surgery and is on the way to healing. Right now, I've been told not to do too much on it -- even just sitting up in a wheelchair -- because I'm supposed to keep it still and propped. Obviously, I've gone out in the wheelchair to doctor's appts. and my husband rolled me down the block for dinner on our anniversary last Friday. But even if I'm just sitting for too long, the leg begins to feel kind of heavy and achey.

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       CMHypnoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Then lets hope that you get your surgery really soon and your leg gets the support of a plaster cast, so that you can start to get around again.

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    Lisa HWposted 13 years ago

    That plaster cast is exactly what I didn't want yet one one more time.  I've been the two legs in a cast route, and the one leg/one hand/arm in a cast route.  This time I went with imaginary plaster cast.    (Sorry, I don't mean to make light of your situation at all, Naomi.  I can just make light one my own now that I know all seems well.)

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18. 77

    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    No worries, Lisa, I could use a little humor in any form. I'm actually looking forward to getting the plaster cast in a weird way. Our 10th anniversary party is supposed to be on the 25th (I'm praying we don't have to end up postponing it) and I thought it would be fun to have all of the guests sign my cast at the event.

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       Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Happy Tenth Anniversary, at least.  (Maybe you get some sparkly markers for the signers, so you can turn your cast into a fancy anniversary decoration.    )

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    prettydarkhorseposted 13 years ago

    at least you're smiling about it now, HUGS Naomi and I hope everyday is better for you,

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    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    That's exactly what I plan to do! A few friends have asked if we're going to have a signing board so I figure my cast will work just as well.
    
    Thanks to everyone for helping to cheer me up this morning. I needed it. Maybe when I'm feeling up to it, I'll write a hub about my experience.

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       Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       I wrote a Hub about my own experience, but then I was too embarrassed to post it - in view of how ridiculous it was that I didn't go.       Now that I've "confessed", I'm thinking about posting it after all.

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    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    I think it would be an interesting story.

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22. 77

    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    Because in NYC at least, busses are supposed to let passengers off at the curb and not in the middle of the street. He let us off over a pothole and my foot got caught in it as I stepped off.

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       Padrinoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Ok, but why did you get off the bus? If its supposed to let you off at the curb I think you should have told the bus driver to move to the curb.
       
       Again, I know this must hurt and be very frustrating but we should all take responsibility for our choices and actions, its not always someone else's fault

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    thisisoliposted 13 years ago

    heh, my last leg injury had me on crutches for aaround three months, my ligaments tore my kneebone apart in a football (Soccer) injury.

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    Rafiniposted 13 years ago

    Good luck Naomi, here's to wishing you a speedy recovery!

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    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    Thanks, everyone for the well wishes.
    
    I just got back from the doctor and my white blood cell count and my liver values are slightly elevated. He didn't seem too worried, noting that it's probably because of my weight (and then gave me a lecture about losing weight, which I know I have to do). I won't know until I get the new blood test back tomorrow if I'll be having the surgery on Thurs, and might have to have the surgery done with a local anaesthetic (where you're awake) instead of being put all the way under. I'm just praying that I now dont have something seriously wrong with my liver. Guess this is a huge (no pun intended) warning for me to lose the weight for good.... though it'll help if I have my leg back and can get back into walking. What's ironic is that the week I fell, I'd just purchased new walking shoes with the intent of taking walks in the nice weather.

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       Lisa HWposted 13 years agoin reply to this

       Naomi, this Thursday?  (The day after tomorrow?)  Will be thinking of you.  Good luck and get fixed up and healed soon.     (Those walking shoes must have been bad luck, eh?  )

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    wordscribe41posted 13 years ago

    Hang in there, Naomi.  I've had a total of 5 knee surgeries, so I'm an old pro...  I will be thinking of you, let us know how you are.  One advantage is you'll have some down time to write.  Wishing you a speedy recovery and walking time in your cool new shoes.

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    donotfearposted 13 years ago

    This reminds me when I broke my wrist, I went around with a straight bandage for 10 days before they verified a fracture. Kept telling me, "The radiologist must examine it and turn it over to a bone doc".  Needless to say, I finally got a cast on it 10 days after falling off my horse.

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    cupid51posted 13 years ago

    Hey Naomi, sorry to hear about the accident! praying for your speedy recovery!

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    NaomiRposted 13 years ago

    Thanks, everyone! I should know by this afternoon whether the surgery will be tomorrow or whether it will have to be delayed. They might have to do it with a local anaesthetic, meaning I'll be awake for it, which will be kind of weird. But my dad had a local when he had heart surgery and actually asked to watch - ew! I'll keep my eyes closed for it!

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    saltposted 13 years ago

    Luckily you didnt have a head injury... if youve got a spare $100 go see a theta practitioner, nut find a good onw. Bowen therapy is also a great form of massage if you get a good person to help.
    
    
    You might also be able to put in a personal injury claim, which may help a little. It may not be what you want to hear, .. yet, sometimes things happen for a reason. Hope there was a good reason for this one.

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